The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-01
BALTIMORE.
WEDNESDAY, MAY !, 1861

They are not merely embarrassed by those honest
differences of opinion which will always exist IN
regard to the general course which ought oe pur-
sued but they are hampered by the obstacles
which hundreds Of men, through purely selfish
and personal motives throw in the way of any de-
cisive movement Bat perhaps the most serious
difficulty against which the people of free and
popuous community have to contend, when sud-
denly called upon to defend their rights and pro-
tec their interests is caused by the inability of a
vast proportion of them TO comprehend at once
the nature and magnitude of the crisis. Unac-
cus'omed to appeal in such emergencies TO some
one head which can promptly think and act for
them, they doubt and delay TOO long, and thew
do not discover that their situation is a pecu-
larry perllons one until some crushing and ir-
remedlable blow convinces them Of their folly at
Inc very moment that it renders them powerless.
In tins position the people Of Baltimore are TO-
DAY. We are muttering our discomfort because
trade is interrupted; we are caying at the srjn-
gency of the regulations which the authorities
nave adopted to ensure the preservation of the
peace; we are grumbling about the expenses TO
which we are likely to be subjected Cor the pur-
chase of arms and the repair Of broken bridges.
SO engrossed are we by local grievances and petty
losses, that we seem to have forgotten that the
great Republic is on the verge Of shipwreck. The
nation is reeling to and fro like drunken man.
and we are uttering querulous complaints because
our repose has been disturbed. Ruin is staring
The people Of Continent in the face, and we are
only iretting because business is dull. 1t is time
mat we were aroused from this selfish lethargy.
We may and must do something to save our
selves or others from destruction, but we can take
no step until we have first fully considered the
character and extent of the dangers which threaten
us. Let US, then, calmly note the indications of
the storm which is fast closing in upon us. and
prepare 10 meet 1t with becoming fortitude and
decision.
On one side of US stands the South in arms.
The uncompromising temper of the Administra-
ton, and the savage insoent and aggressive spirit
manifested by the whole population of the free
States have alenated and embittered the Southern
people, who will row. from Virginia to Texas,
stand shoulder TO shoulder in defence of their
newly-declared nationality. In possession of
territory larger than that comprised in the States
over which Mr.. LINCOLN exercises jurisdiction, and
united in their determination TO govern them
selves, they ask for peace and for a recognition of
the principle which fathers fought for and es-
tablished in l776. They are already focking to
their Standards and, full of dauness resolution
and high enthusiasm, they will inevitably win
with the sword what the North now refuses TO
grant. They are no despicable foes, those men OF
lmpetuous blood, whose hands as quick to
close in the death grapple as in the interchange of
courteses, and it is far from certain that they will
not roll back upon the North the tide of war
which has begun to flow from that quarter.
On the other side of Maryland the legions of
the mighty North are rapidly concentrating, in
order to invade the new Confederacy. Ships, and
arms, and money, and men, have been lavishly
placed at the disposal of Mr.. LINCOLN Not con-
tent 10 suffer him, in his own way, to repossess
Ii he can, the property in the new Confederacy,
which once belonged 10 this government, the
Northern people are unanimously and vehemently
urging him TO begin war of determination
They insist that every Southern city shall be in
turn assailed, and that those which resist shall be
laid In ashes; they propose that the Southern
States shall be parcelied out among the conquer
ors; they urge that the Southern people shall
now be so dealt with as TO preclude them forever
henceorh from resisting or complaining of the
policy o: the North. To accomplish these ends
no means are deemed too harsh, or cruel. 1t has
been suggested that armed gangs of burglars and
shoulder-hiters be let loose on the towns that
serylle instructions be melted in the country .
that the dykes of the Mississippi be broken down.
so that the men, women and children of vast dis
tricts may be indScTiminately drowned. Every san
gulnary and brutal project that the mind can well
conceive, has been started and favorab!y received
by the people of the free States. They sneak
complacently of "the carnage the devastation.
"piunder and confusion which will be inevitable
south OF the Potomac" The North is patriotic
ally bent upon preserving our blessed UNION Its
people are determined to keep unbroken the bonds
of brotherhood which link them to the people of
the South.
Thus placed between two hostile armies, we are
not to be permitted to be neutral The North has
already announced this in distinct terms. It tells
US that unless we are willing to take up arms for
the furtherance Of its cause, we must expect to be
treated as foes and traitors But even without
such notification, it is evident that we cannot
maintain neutral position. We are not strong
enough to command the peace, standing unsup-
ported, as we do, between two warning nations
tory. Both parties will suspect us if we refuse
to declare in favor of either, aud they will
care little about the injury they may infct
upon us. They will, despite all that We
can say or do, make Maryland their COM
mon battle ground. License will run riot
over our soil, and we shall have no friends to call
upon among all the con tending hosts It's the
veriest delusion to imagine that the forms of law.
the provisoes of State or Federal Constitutions. or
the dictates of justice, will be respected by the
two gigantic powers which will wage war around
and over US. In that struggle we shall be newt
ably ruined; and when we come to take account
OF our losses we shall also miss our honor. There
Is no safety for this State unless she courageousy
and frankly takes her place upon the one side or
the other. Even in such case she is probably des-
tined to suffer cruel wrongs, but she will fare far
better when she has strong and Jealous allies to
aid her than it she attempts to assume the pitiable
attitude of weak and timid neutral.
Let US, therefore, scan fairly and deliberately
the dangers of our position, and choosing our
course, let US manfully abide by it to the end
And recognizing the fearful imminency of the
perlls which environ US, let us take care that no
domestic dissensions bitter strife shall arise to
make our situation still more precarious. If we
must differ for little while longer, let II he as
brethren All we demand is that the peo-
pie OF Maryland shall be permitted peaceably
and fairly to express their views and wishes unon
this dread issue. This we believe to be their nm
questionable right. We cannot now regard one
section as any more entitled to the allegiance of
Maryland than the other Whatever NAV be said
OF the right or the wrong on either side the one
great fact that the Union is dissolved overrides
all other questions, and claims recognition from
the world. Under these circumstan ces, we have
The indlsputable right to choose whom we will
have TO govern US. Let us, therefore, hasten to
set at rest all division among ourselves on this
point. Designating the artful appeals of the
tlmld here, and the threats of the braggarts else
where, let US decide according to our best iudg-
ment and our conscience, and announce our
determination boldly. And when once the peo.
pie have pronounced their verdict, let us rally to
man against those who may gainsay it, and
strike bravely and promptly in defence of the
honor and interests Of old Maryland.
.-z==-uz<-.--.----z..-u-.-zu.
Inc choice that our citizens will, in all proba-
pillty' be soon called upon to make between an
Alliance with the Northern Or Southern Confed-
eracy, is one so deeply and almost vitality affecting
the welfare and prosperity of MARYLAND, that it
should only be decided ,no, off,. oo,oc.I a.