The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-29
BALTIMORE.
FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1861.

We have before us pamphlet Of some fifteen
pages, entitled "Letter of Judge CHAMBERS to the
"Citizens of Kent in which that venerable and
distinguished gentleman vindicaes his recent polit-
ical action from the aspersions Of portion of the
Local press, and the Misrepresentation OF the
Northern sympathzers in that section OF the
State To those who are acquainted with the
vigorous controversial talent which Judge CHAM
BERs retains, undated by age, it is unnecessary
to saw that he dsposes Of his assailants in a man
ner equally satisfactory and summary. Indeed,
it seems to us, at this distance, as if he had rou
bled himself with a work almost Of supereroga-
ton, in responding to their assauts.at all After
a long life of active and elevated public service,
conspicuousSOr its patriotism, ability and success,
he might well have relied upon the candor and
good sense of his neighbors, and the universal
respect of the people Of the State, as sufficient
defence against the small ISLANDERS of village
newspaper and the abuse of cross -road dema-
gogues Such, at all events, would have been
our own iudgment-were it not for the peculiar
turn which has been given TO matters of the sort,
in Maryland during the excitements of the present
crisis. From the moment that Governor Hicks
endeavored to appropriate the Union sentiment OF
the State, and lis popularity, to himself and his
party, by denouncng, as disunionists and diSor-
ganizers, all who opposed his fatal policy of 81
lence and inacion, the same unjust and dishonest
system of Misrepresentation has been pursued,
with unwavering pertinacty, by all the presses
and partsans, whether open or covert, of the fac
ton which placed the Governor in power. No
purity Of life or integrity of purpose has been suf-
fciea to protect the advocates of different opin-
ions from SANDER. stronger Illustration of this
could, indeed, hardly be imagined than the case
of Judge CHAMBERS hmself-a man of advanced
years and stainless life, entirely separated from all
political ambitions and alliances, who could not
possibly have any other end to serve than
the honor and true interests of his State and
country, and whom only deep sense ofimpera-
tive duty could recall from his dignifed retire
ment. That such gentleman should be forced,
by partisan abuse, to make public defence
of his motives and character against the charge OF
hostility to the Union, which no public man in
Maryland has ever supported more vigorously than
he, is as striking and melancholy a commentaries
could be made upon the demoralized state of public
sentiment in some quarters, among us. The course
ofpublic affairs for some years pastin Maryland has
indeed been unhappily tending downwards. The
organization which until lately held possession of
the State government, and is still represented in
the executive department. came to its death, from
drinking the dregs of faction. In its present,
temporary revival, it has the smack of the same
on its lips. Whether its restoration to life and
wckedness, with new alliances, is TO be complete
under the deceptive guise of the new "Union
''Party," is for those who remember its past
history to determine. 1t commences its career
fifty, with denunciation and false witness, as O