The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-16
COMMUNICATED

THE POSIIION or MAR TLAND
MEssRs. EDITORS IF you choose, you may pub
fish this, as the opinion of retired observer-of
one net wse but hopefu-one who has faith in the
people now misled by political prejudices-pugna-
cious, hating instead of loving one another, taking
counsel of their fears, influenced by the amount Of
their securities, the funess CT their money bags
We advise them to reflect little, to take counsel
of their honor and their rights, believing they will
find their ultimate safety imbedded alone, in them
We love the Union made by our fathers, as with
the love of woman; it seems as it were burnt into
our fbres. The rights we claim, are not Of it, but
before it. We did not make the Union for these
rights, but for all rights. These were not then
questioned. We believe it was made by the States
yet do not assent to the legal right of secession
But now satisfied that the parties who
made the compact, are the only ones with whom
we have hope of settling the dispute between u.s.
To them, therefore, let US appeal-tO the people
of the States. If the Union is worth preserving
they will know how to preserve it; it is not to be
presumed they will sacrifice it to an abstraction
and if they should, we shall know precisely, what
course we have to follow.
Maryland must assume a position of absolute
sovereignty. She must call upon all her peers to
meet her at some prescribed time in Washington
for the purpose of settling this controversy. She
must assume an armed neutrality, acting as a mod
orator between the North and South. Her people
must unite, as well for the purpose of restraining
themselves as other communities. She must de-
clare boldly her intention-she must not permit
her soil to be made the arena which the conflict
shall be waged. She must defend the President
elect and all others legitimately in authority
from all assault from any quarter. She must
show her ability to do this in order to obtain con-
fdence, and she must call upon Virginia and Penn
sylvania to withhold their hands.
AT the same time, let her all the influence
she possesses to prevent war among the members
of the Union-let her obtain an armstice-let her
endeavor to keep things in satu quo-let the States
hold the FORTS but let the postoffice and revenue
laws remain in the hands of the general govern
ment
We seek peace first; fra ternity and union will
follow. The convention of our people will paw heed
to our grievances and restore harmony to all our
councils. Time, time is the thing that is required.
Our Southern brethren grew impatient at our
apathy; yet they seem to to be as much too fast
as we are too slow. While we, then, may admire
their courage, we may doubt their Judgment. We
do not believe decision has been made against us
by the people Of the North, nor do we believe any
such decision ever will be given. The last contest
was no fair test at any rate, we believe we have
sufficient reason to stand between the begerents
and to insist on their Withholding their hands until
fair and unequivocal decision can be had. Let
then the men of Maryland not only be wise and
moderate In counsel, but also determined in action
Let them reflect that upon them rests the RESPONSE
bility of restoring the broken Union. All others
may possibly go astray; let her remain firm and
undaunted, and let her follow out truly the objects
and purposes here briefly portrayed, and she will
succeed.
To-day we stand asphyxiated. Our divided coun-
sells prevent us from taking the noble position of
right belonging to us, of mediatora right arising
out of our geographical location and political at
tachments. Will not this high purpose unite our
own people? Cannot we forego our insane party
spirit? Can we not try for an experiment by way
of variety, to love one another? We are not now
nor ever will be prepared willingly to separate
either from the North or South. We prefer to
abide returning sense of reason on both sides of
US and We are satisfied, should we assume the res.
possibility proposed in good faith and with prop
er spirit, our hope is not in vain.
To save this Union now our action must be swift
The Legislatures of both Virginia and Pennsylva-
MIA both in session-xill be ready to respond,
and such response insures to present action
and is harbinger of the future. Delay is death.
1t may be asked why do we wish to place our
State in such unwonted position? We reply, if
we remain undecided, our State will probably be-
come the arena upon which the first shock of arms
will take place. Thus we will bring upon ourselves
the very evil our people are most anxious to avoid
and suspected by both sides and unarmed we be-
come the prey of both. Such position is too
mean to contemplate. Our ardent spirits cannot
brook it; let put the bit in their mouths; let us
control them by authority of the State This
course gives an assurance everywhere that while
on the one hand weeare determined to abide the
compromises OF the Constitution, on the other we
Will not submit to its unreasonable overtbrow -
That we will maintain it and its autborities in nur
midst, at Washington till time is afforded for rea-
son to resume her sway, and until we are well sat-
ised its broken fragments cannot be reunited and
then will it be time enough for us, as an indepen.
dent people, sorrowfully to choose our position for
the future. PLoUGHsHARE.