The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-08
BALTIMORE.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1861

II beuOOVeS the citizens OF TINS community 10
examine earnestly and deliberately the arguments
which have been addressed to them in the pending
crisis in order to induce them to maintain for the
present a neutral or inactive position. Nor should
they neglect to do so promptly, or they may 9th
erwise find themselves committed to a course
that will inevitably bring about the overthrow of
the Republic, for the specious appeals which have
lately been made to the people of Maryland veil
as fatal policy as ever lured nation towards
destruction. 1t has been urged that this State
will be rretrevably ruined in case of separation
between the North and South, no matter On which
side she casts her lot and that she ought therefore
to stand by the government" and battle sword
in hand, for the Union. The proposition, thus
simply stated, sounds plausible enough, but as
understood and interpreted by those who have
advanced it, it is big with fearful consequences
The first branch Of it need not be discussed
Whether MARYLAND would he better or worse off
upon the dissolution of the existing confederacy,
it is scarcely worth while to inquire, in view Of
The fact that she is not anxious to solve that pro-
bem, but on the contrary is ardently DESTROYS OF
the preservation of the Union. There is but one
sentiment here upon this point, and no proof of
the pers that will follow disunion can make the
people of this State struggle any more heartily
than they now willing TO do in order 10 avert
that calamity. How, then, shall the Union be
saved? This is the only question requiring imme-
diate consideration, and it is by way ofanswer to
that we are advised to stand by the government.
What this means, we are at no loss to know, for
those who have proffered the counsel have been
sufficiently explicit to enable rs to comprehend
their views, though they have hesitated to an
nounce their conclusions as fully and as frankly
as they have laid down their premises. Standing
by the government in case of rupture between
the slave and free States, means adhering to the
North and coercing the South, and the reasoning
of those who have put forward this recommended
ton leads to no other deduction. If bv this ex-
hortation it is merely intended to persuade Mary
land to share ultimately the destinies of the North
ern conlederacy, we could recognize its force how
ever much we might be disincined to yield to it,
but as scheme for the preservation of the Union
tits the most hopeless that ever suggested. 1t
is as sure to lead to the final separation of the
States as any plan that the most extreme seces-
sionist could devise. No men ever fell into more
grievous than do those who now regard the re-
volution in the South petty local rebellion and
who propose to treat it as such. If the North re-
fuses to make any concessions and the incoming
administration determines to resort to force to
compel obedience to the federal laws, it is certain
that the whole section of the country between the
Ohio and the Gulf will unite in resistance. Under
such circumstances what does standing by the gov
eminent mean2 To talk about the Government and
the Union, as if both were intact after so large
a portion of the nation had repudiated both,
is but to cling to and to lose sight of reality
and facts. After such disruption of the Confed-
eracy, this State link her fortunes to those of
the North if she so peases, but it would be an
idle imagination 10 think we had not lost the gov
eminent we have hitherto regarded with such de-
votion. Even five suppose thatthe government"
after the withdrawal of twelve or more Southern
States, still existed in its integrity, it would be
madness TO dream of compelling the seeding
States to return to the old confederacy by force of
arms. Their seaports might be blockaded and
their coasts harried, but they could
only lie wholly subdued after an enor-
nous expenditure of blood and treasure. But
would those who had achieved such conquest boast
that they had saved the Union? The government
might be upheld but is its maintenance worth the
fearful price would thus have to pay for ii? Nearly
thirty years ago Mr.. TYLER said, in his speech
against the Force Bill, 'here is great difference
''between preserving Union and preserving gov
''ernment. The Union may be annihilated, yet
"government preserved; but under such gov
''ernment no man ought to desire to live' 1t
will be well for us to reflect seriously upon these
words now, and to remember that standing by
the government and preserving the Union may
be, at this moment two very different things.
Where we may take our stand after the dssolu-
ton Of the Confederacy, is q question which it is
premature TO discuss. The reconciliation of the
hostile sections is the only matter with which we
care now to deal, and Maryland cannot bring
about such reconciliation by standing by the gov
eminent in the way that has been pro-
posed; or, in other words, by endorsing the
uncompromsing course of the North and lending
her aid to coerce the South. The humiliation of
this Republic will be the inevitable result of such
a policy. To ask this State TO remain inactive
now, and to fight for the Union n few months
hence is TO invite it to forego all hope of an ad-
lustment Of our difficulties and to plunge into a
bloody civil war TO restore amicatle relations be-
tween the North and South. This insidious and
dangerous advice ought at once to be rejected by
the people of this State. The position for Mary
land to take in this exigency is that of an active
mediator. She should speak out decidedly and
frankly, and say to the Southern States that, if
they are determined in spite of all concessions
TO destroy the Union, then she has neither SYM
pathy nor aid to give them; and to the North, let
her recommend a conciliatory course, and tell it
honestly that unless it checks the antislavery ag
taton and aggressions, and does justice to the
Slave States, then Maryland will take her stand
for veal or woe with her Southern sisters. And
whatever this State does, it should do quickly for
the Union is falling into fragments around us, and
in a few weeks the sun may have forever ceased 10
shine upon the great American Republic.