The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-26

II the Republicans at the North were entirely
ignorant of the natural resources OF Virginia and
Maryland, and considered these States as of little
value to the UNION, we might understand WHY
they regard our present political condition with
SUCH contemptuous indifference, and why they so
ollndly stick to the assertion that we cannot in
any event be "drven out of the UNIoy.'' But
when we see their leading journals referring to
the Iron and Coal mines of our mountains. still
undeveloped, and TO the large amount Of water
power now useless and unproductive, and find
them suggesting, as does the Tribune, that ''Vir-
ginia should have her own Lowells and Patcr-
sons" showing how fully they appreciate the
real Importance and true sources of wealth of this
region, we are perfectly at loss to compre-
bend how they can for one moment imagine that
these interests can well be benefited by cutting us
Oft from our natural consumers, the South; or
how they can prophecy any speedy development
of our manufactures, if we are left to compete
with the superior wealth and population and es-
tabshed trade of the North and East, in markets
TO which they are not only nearer, but with which
their facilities for communication are greater.
That the true interests of Virginia and Maryland
lie in the development of their great natural man.
ufacturing advantages is generlly acknowl-
edged and if the Republicans would only regard this
TACT with an unprecedented eye, it would probably
satisfy them that if they force us to make choice
between the North and the South, we would at
once decide to cast our lot with that portion of
the country which furnishes us with our largest
markets. 1t might suggest to them that Virginia
and Maryland would find it TO their interest to
supply The South with cotons, and woolens, and
mats, and shoes, and castings, and agricultural
implements, and the thousand products of Ameri-
can industry many of them peculiar to our own
country, for which the South is now chiefly de-
pendent upon the North. 1t might teach them 70
reflect that Virginia and Maryland would fud it
to their interest 10 become the manufactnrinr
States Of slave confederacy rather than to re-
main agricultural States in a free one and that
they would prefer to become members of a confed-
eracy which, when augmented by their accession,
would contain all those elements, the DEVELOPMENT
OF which gave power and strength and grandeur
to our former Union, rather than to continue their
connection with government which, by its
weakness and imbecility, has permitted itself to be
shorn of the richest portion Of its territory, and
has proved itself utterly incapable of protecting,
or entirely Indifferent to, their interests in the
present political crisis
If the Tribune and the party it represents would
study little more closely the interests of these
two States, they would find how very largely they
are identified with the South They would learn
how separation would force US the sooner ITO
"build up our Lowes and Patersons," and to
become, as we must be eventually, large manu-
featuring State, developing our resources at the
expense OF the North. They would learn how
large quantity of goods, already manufactured
IN these States, is now sent to New York, the
great international depot paying freight TO New
York vessels, and commissions TO New York mer-
chants, and from thence are distributed Soutb
some of the goods not unfrequently finding their
way back to the very district in which they were
manufactured; and they would learn that, when
either the sentiment of the Southern people or the
effect OF the Southern Tariff prevents New York
from being any longer port of distribution for
the South, the only sea ports and harbors which
could offer to the South similar advantages, would
be found either in Virginia or Maryland on the
Chesapeake Bay, or its tributaries.
Will the Republicans reflect on these points?-
WI luey sluuy lhoiouBnly uhe grave SUBJECT be-
fore them, and endeavor to comprehend its magni.
tude and Importance? Will they cease trifing
while they yet have lime? If not, let them have
care, or they may find that Virginia and Mary
iano, alarmed at the prosration of their trade,
.ne 'aotoueniy aroused to true appreciation of
lnef in'ereS' oy rejecting upon the causes of the
WAN anu restitution that prevail among the
working Glasses, may deem it advisable NJ, 70
wait to be "driven out of the Uy1oy },