The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-09-09

ceive how Mr. LINCOLN is thereby justified in de-
iberately multiplying those provisions of the Con-
stituton to which a large minority in the North
has the indispuable right to expect him to con-
FORM
Here we might be content TO leave the subject;
but there are one or two other considerations
bearing upon the point, to which we wish to call
attention, as they show still more conclusi~ely
how untenable and ridiculous are the views
which the World so gravely puts forth. In the
first place the Confederate Congress, if its enact
ment be correctly quoted, "confscates' negroes.
while this Government "emancipates'' them; and
the difference between the two proceedings is all
important In the one case the status of the ne
gro Is not changed; he simply passes from one
master to another, and the transaction in no way
affects the social or political system Of the coun-
try. But General FREMONT policy will, if car
ried out by the Administration, result in the utter
ruin Of every slave State. 1t is virtually an act
of emancipation, which, if the Federal arms are
successful will alike reach loyal and di8Ioyai men
throughout the country; for, as we suggested q
few days ago, it is impossible to liherae the ne
groes of secessionists' in Missouri without stril-
there nor can the institution be abolished through
out the larger part of Virginia without destroy
ing it in Maryland and Kentucky also. Thus, by
the course which Mr.. LINCOLN has adopted he is
directly assailing the very constitutional rights
which he says it is the object of this war to main
tain.
| But in the second place the acls Of the Confed-
crate Congress no criterion by which TO test
the proprety OF what is done by this Admnstra-
ton, for the positions and purposes of the two
Governments are widely different The Southern
people claim now to be separate nation, and they
certainly do not fegn to regulate their conduct by
the provisions Of our Constitution. They have
determined to resort TO every measure, which the
usages of the civilized world Justify, in order to
maintain their independence, and it is to them a
matter of Indifference whether their proceedings
| are in accordance with our laws or not II is
idle, therefore, for us to discuss whether their acts
| are in violation of the letter or shirt of our
statutes, when they tell fatty that they have
abrogated, and do not pretend to be governed by
our code. The Administration at Washington,
on the other hand, processes the most devout rev
erence for the laws and Constitution. 1t has never
repudiated, and i5 under the most solemn obliga-
ton to abide by them, and to uphold them by
all lawful means. 1t is summoning the people
even now to arms to ''eniorce the laws and main.
| stain the Constitution. - What business has il,
then, to trample upon both? What right has it
to measure its own duty by the acts of those whom
1t stigmatizes as rebels? How can the wrongs
which it is perpetrating be palliated by any ini-
quihes, however great of which TRAITORS may
be guilty2 Would Mr.. LINCOLN venture to cite the
polygamous practice of the Mormons as an excuse
Tor violating the laws which prohibit bgamyf
The answers to these simple questions are plain
enough to the obtusest intellect.