The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-04

1t is now plain that the "crsis, ~ whose pro-
gress has for weeks past been watched by millions
of our countrymen with SO much anxiety. is
drawing rapidly TO O. head. Congress, which
could and should have settled promptly the issues
which confronted it a month ago. has so far de-
vised no measures which are calculated to restore
harmony be0 cen the sections, and has even failed
to meet the questions in such temper and spirit as
would have sufiiced to give the country some title
confidence in the ultimate and peaceful solution of
the difficulties which surround US. That Congress
may yet agree upon some mode of adjustment
whose terms would be satisfactory to both sides,
we readily admit for we not prepared to believe
that the North prefers to accept the dissolution OF
the Union rather than make any concessions to
the South. But it is TO be greatly feared that the
Republican party will only awake to full con-
seriousness OF the critical condition of affairs after
| the South has finally determined TO ask and tc
receive nothing at the hands of the North. How
| soon this period may arrive, no man can tell but
| it is evident that it is approaching with fearful
speed. Unless Congress shall take some instant
and effective action, the events of the next ten
days WILL in all probability, exceed in importance
and painful interest all that have transpred since
the election of Mr., LINCOLN The PRESIDENT
has up to this time temporized with the
revolution, in The hope that Congress would in.
tervene and do something to avert its progress
But he has not, like Congress- the right to com.
promise with or to conciliate people who thus
defy the execution of the Federal laws it is his
simple duty to enforce them without regard to
% hal
movement in the South was something more than
rebellion or instruction which was 10 be SUD.
pressed by the Marshals of the several districts
aided by few Federal troops. He has seen that
the Southern States are playing no petty political
game but that they are earnestly bent upon resist
ing the anti-slavery aggression and that they would
unhesitatingly rush TO the support of South Caro-
lima whenever collision shall occur between that
State and the Federal authorities. Foreseeing,
then, that a civil war of the most disastrous
character was likely to ensue from any attempt to
coerce seeding State, the President has DELAYED
whether weakly or wisely we need not pause to in
qulre, to take any decisive step. Now, however,
the moment has come when the President must
act, If he would preserve his own selfrespect and
He must recognize the independence of South Car
DINA or he must wrest from her possession the Uni
ted States forts, custom-houses and arsenals
1t cannot be doubted that he will fee
himself compelled to choose the latter
OF these alternatives and that the course which the
Government is to pursue at Charleston must be fol-
lowed in the other Southern cities where the
Federal property is seized by the several States
The point then, to be decided is simply whether
or not the South is willing to take up arms to
maintain the issue it has raised Will it Weld. OF
will it resist to the death? These are the naked
questions which next present themselves, and they
will be answered with startling celebrity, unless
Congress can find some mode of pacifying the
country. How they will be answered, it is we
think, no hard matter to predict The Southern
States mean, in our judgment, to encounter the
hazard of war, unless their complaints are fairly
listened to and concessions are honestly made to
their demands; and they intend to let the world
know their decision at the earliest opportunity,
They will not, as we have already said, have long
to wait, for the revolution which is so swiftly
rolling towards US will in few days have disap-
peared like the morning mist, or will lower SO
close above that the blindest will be aroused by
its lurid light, and will recognize its fearful i'm
mort