The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-24

The extraordinary and anomalous position in
which the Federal Government has placed itself
III 'hls crisis cannot fail to excite the wonder of
the civilized world The absurd Inconsistencies
IN which it has involved itselfin its dealinps with
Tue southern Coniederacy and with the different
STATES which still remain under its jurisdiction.
are 100 garinG and inexplcable to have escaned
tne contemptuous notice of the statesmen Of every
nation which boasts of a Constitution or written
laws. 1t Is an easy matter in reviewing the blind
anu lortuous policy of the Administration TO poipt
out hundred blunders that would have disgraced
the least intelligent ruler who ever undertook to
Sulue ana govern people. But perhaps the most
striklh& example of its imbeclity and dishonesty
Is 10 ne found in the course it has pursued towards
the state OF Maryland. Mr. LINCOLN. when ha
entered upon the duties of his office lopd1v nro-
CLAIMED his determination to maintain ,bo CO.;
tuition and the laws, and protested hi, ;nter,;o.
10 execute them fairly, without mental reserv,-
tons and without infringing upon the rights of
the people or their respective States He would
ne said, exert all his lawful powers TO enforce the
laws in that section which had deliberately renu
dated them; but he explicitly assured the country
mat 1t was not his purpose to resort to any coer-
GIVE measures save such as he was legally justified
IN adopting iii order to advance the object which
he conceived it 10 be his solemn dntv 10 accom-
plish. He found Maryland in the Union. He an
pointed such Federal officers as he was authorized
10 appoint within her limits, and they have never
'oi Que Single instant been prevented from dis
LII nng iuiiy and freely their several functions.
ihe oHi'eu states Marshal is able TO arrest any
man IN Maryland who may resist or consume
against the Government, and jures of his own ..
lection are ready to punish all offenders Tho
Sheriff and the Criminal Court of Baltimore are
wiling to cooperate with the Federal authorities.
The Governor has even aSsented to the violation
OF the laws of the State in bis anxiety to forward
Mr.. LINcoLNs schemes. The Legislature has pro-
tested against the policy of the Administration
put has never advised resistance though it would
nave oeen legally and morally justified in so DOING
peopleare disconnected, but they have not risen
IN lnsurrecton, and the cannon and bayonets of
~ Heuerai army are able to suppress n rebellion
s"cn was attempted. With the execution of q |
49,, winch the police promptly suppressed and |
N "uose authors and abettors the Copr,s ou, |
p'ep''eo 10 deal, there has been M rn1o,rc,,
VI 'eiious demonstration Of boS,;Ii,r .s
the government within the borsor, 20 ~, -
1. might therefore, have been supposed th t'a
President who was merely anxious to wa.
laws would have been careful not to 90 bano ~,
Inc scope of his constitutional powers in This S.
More especially was such course TO be ernao,"a |
from an Administration which insists that ~ |
vast majority OF the people here approves its con-
duct, and Loyalty endorses its measures p,,, -
tar from conforming, under such chromosomes
to the laws which he affects to respect or FROM
ing upon bis own theory that the neonls If th;,
o"'e a.e suheh supporters of his coercive and |
nhconsti'uuonat proceedings, he has done wauton
violence 10 MS sworn obligations and his own
CONVICTIONS. he has disregarded the fundamental
rights Of our citizens he has trampled upon our
laws he has deposed our public, officers; he has
defed the authority Of our courts. he has com.