The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-09-03
BALTIMORE,
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1861.

if there be any truth in that bold figure OF
speech which tells us that 'even bayonets think"
we take it for granted that cannons are also pos
sessed Of that faculty in pre-eminent degree. AT
all events, such appears to be the theory Of the
Administration, though in contrary sense to the
one intended, and to so great an extent do our
rulers repose confidence in it, that they have man
ifestly determined that these implements of war
shall do the thinking for the larger portion of this
community We know how emnently foolish
this is; how entirely in accordance with the most
approved formulas of despotism it would he, if
the project could be carried ont, and the utter alb
surdity of attempting it. Thought has charter
which cannot be suppressed with the same facility
as q writ of h1Je0s corpus; and The more freely
bavOnei5 and cannon are employed to 90 the
thinking for people, the more resolute the people
will he in thinking for themselves. The local
columns OF the Americcn furnished onr citizens, a
few days ago, with the first public intimation of
the fact that the War Department had ordered
Federal Hill to be fortified. la undertaking this
particular work, we are graciously given to UNI
derstand that the War Department twas princi-
"paly influenced by the representations of several
'loval citizens of Baltimore The american does
not state whether these 'Ioyal" citizens are the
same individuals who compose that new Venetian
Council of Ten which is styled 'The Advisory
'Board,' and whose names have already been
given to the public. If they are not, hope, for
the honor of humanity, the latter will promptly dis
avow all completely with this new outrage upon
our people. We want to know who the
really are tina. are anxious to have the stain OF
blood upon their souls It is terrible RESPONSE
earthwork constructed some Of whose bastions
lrW command the city. From another source we
learn that ''lhe guns used in mounting the
'battcries will be of heavy calibre, and
mostly Of short range that there will
''also be ''some eight howilzers," and that
''he fertilization, when finished will be one of the
"most complete in the UNION" The true object
of this fertilization is 10 suppress all opposition TO
The measures of the Government, by the omn0us
menace Of "gHn3 Of heavy calibre," trained 10
bear upon the most populous portions Of the city.
These guns are said to be supported by other guns
at Fort McFIenry, which, we have been repeatedly
assured, are pointed in the same direction. We
have, moreover, been quite rs frequently admon-
ished that, in O certain contngency--whether that
contingency DO local outbreak or an advance Of
u
'shellad' and 'laid in ashes" We beg those
who are timid enough to fear an act of this kind
not tn alarm themselves needessly. Reckless as
the Government has shown itself in numer-
Gus instances, it could not dare to perpe-
trate crime of so heinous a nature 1t
may not shrink from violating the Con-
stituton, upon which lis sole right to rule is
founded. 1t may not hesitate to Sc. aside the
civil tribunals in any appeal which its victims
may make 10 them. 1t may put novel and I'M
heard OF interpretations upon old laws, or it may
be, in the pienitude of its assumed powers, n law
unto itself; but it viii not dare, By Smelling pop
ulOus city like ours, to draw down upon itself the
execration of the whole civilized world. 1t would
shrink, and well it might from involving iudis-
criminately all classes of our population--the
infrm and the aged, the 'loyal' and ''disloyal,
men, women and children, in one awful scene O
death, and Gro, aud blood -boiterod ruin. TIL
usages Of modern warfare deny this fiendish graf
ifcation of the worst passions of human natur
even to those who claim to exercise unlimited
sway over the lives and liberties OF their subjects
The utter LEGISLATION in which FERDINAND, of Ma
pies, was held, by nearly all the Powers Of Europe
for daring to lombard Neapotan town who's
Gus denunciations that were subsequently, launche,
at his son and successor for directing the guns c
his fleet to be turned upon Palermo; and the CT
of adherence that rose up everywhere against til
Grand Duke of Tuscany, when it became know
that, previous to his flight he had issued insruc
tons 10 the commander Of the fortress to lay III
city of Florence in ashes, significantly indicat
what the opinion of civilized nations is with re
gard to such barbarities; and, therefore, It is tha
we say the authorities at Washington will no
venture to carry into effect their iuhuman menace
= mol No! They may enfade our streets with thei
guug--they may NOW down with grape shot tn
men who may assail their lortiications-but
cannot be that they have SO far lost every charac
teristic of civilization and humanity as to carr
into effect, in any emergency or contingenc
whatsoever, their barbarous and cowardly threat