The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-02-09

DOM.
When, at the outset of the revolutionary move
ment in the South, we urged, as a matter of the
first necessity, that Maryland should define her
position, we did so under the conviction that
earnest and decided action on her part would ma
teralIy promote peaceful settlement of the pend
ing dispute. We were satisfied that the people of
this State were misunderstood in both sections of
the country, and that their silence was taken by
the South to indicate determination to make no
further struggle against the advance of abolition.
ism, while at the North it was construed into an
admission that the Republican party had done no
wrong. We believed moreover, that TO these false
Impressions the precipitate measures of the Gulf
States, and the uncompromising attitude of the
North, were in a great degree attributable; and
We thought that through the influence of Maryland
and the other border slave States, the extremists
of the South might have been persuaded to be
more moderate, and the fanatics of the North COM
PEELED TO be more Just. But this State has not
been suffered to express in any authoritative
way, the sentiments Of her people, and
encouraged by her inacton the Republican party
while the Union has been undergoing rapid
process of disintegration. Seven States have al
ready withdrawn, and it is not improbable that
as many more may follow them within a brief
period. Maryland then has done nothing, so far,
to save the Union, and it may now be questioned
whether it is not too late for her to make any
effort locking to that end. If the progress of the
revolution is 10 be stayed, the good work must
and will be accomplished within few avs, and
in that event the people of this State will be forced
to feel that so glorious and happy consumma-
ton of our hopes is in nowise due to their polite
measures or patriotic zeal.
But though the moment may have gone when
we could take any step calculated TO promote
better understanding among the hostile States,
we can nevertheless learn an important lesson
from past errors. The mistaken policy which
has kept US motioness and silent while the Re,
public was apparently approaching shipwreck,
may likewise, if persisted in involve the State of
Maryland in ruin. Grave issues still confront US,
and perils may gather round US in an hour from
which only the most decisive and energetic action
can exricate us. If unfortunately, all efforts to eff
fecta compromise should prove unavailing, and Vr-
ginia should sever her connection with the North,
we must be ready TO decide with which section
we will cast our lot. How are the people pre-
pairing for this emergency? Do they expect, in that
contingency, INCREASINGLY to surrender their des
TIMES to the keeping Of the strongest neighboring
power or do they propose passively to submit
that question to the determination of the Gov
ernnr will tlH,- insist -rA, sAttine them
col n Of oh Wit IN tbnYI,o md
their children? To these inquiries they cannot
now reply too promptly, for the time is brief in
deed within which the people Of this State will be
suffered to follow, in this matter, either their
wishes or the dictates of their Judgment. If the
Union is to be dissolved by the secession of Vir-
ginia, Maryland must speak then or forever after
hold her peace. The policy TO which Governor
Hicks would bind her will commit her finally and
heplessly into the hands Of the Republican party
If the majority of the people of the State desire to
link our fortunes with those of the North, no man
will have the right to set himself in opposition to
their will but every citizen is entitled to particle
pate in the determination of that ISSUE and of this
privilege we have every reason to fear we shall be
most unfairly debarred. Should our confederacy
be destroyed before the fourth of March, as it is
not improbable it may be, we may as well aban-
don all hope of attempting after that day to infu-
ence the course Of our own State. Unless in such
case, sovereign Convention is assembled prior
to the Inauguration of Mr.. LINCOLN, it need never
meet here at all. Every one knows this, and Gov
ernor HICKS is as well aware of it as the party into
whose hands he is playing.
We have refrained until now from referring to
this subject, for we were unwilling to discuss the
interests OF this State in connection with another
confederacy, until compelled to despair utterly of
the preservation of the Union. But as the neces-
sity of recognizing the downfall Of the Republic,
and of deciding upon our own course, may posi-
bly, be forced upon us very shortly, and in the
same hour we are obliged to consider both issues
without further delay. We, therefore, re-
peat 10 the people of Maryland that it is
absolutely essential for them to obtain some
assurance that, in case Of the secession
Of Virginia, a sovereign Convention shall
be called here prior to the fourth Of
March, if they wish to have an opportunity of
exercising their lawful rights. Nobody under
stands this better than the INSCRIPTIONS politi-
clans who are endeayoring to secure the support
of the border Slave States before they attempt TO
coerce the South. These men have had, so far,
easy task in managing Maryland !;
for the Governor, whether consciously or uncon-
sciously we will not say, has helped them to carry
out their scheme. But it is time that those who
by applauding Governor Hicks, have counter.
anced this policy should consider where it is lead
ing them We assert that It's the object of the Re-
publican party to keep this State quiet until after
the fourth of March, with the deliberate intent of
her to remain with the North, even if
every slave State should then have seeded. We |
might demonstrate the correctness of this state
ment by the most conclusive arguments, but as
we cannot suppose majority of the people have
failed to realize the real nature o. our position we
content ourselves with calling their attention to
single fact which has just been brought to our
knowledge Feeling the Importance of preventing
anv movement on the part of Maryland, the Re-
publican party in New York is exerting itself to
the uttermost to keep her, for some weeks TO come,
where Governor Hicks has placed her. Fifty
Thousand Dollars have been rendered for that pur-
nose and we have reason to believe that the agents
who are to disburse the money have been selected.
The avowed object of the outlay is to keep Mary
and quiet until after the inauguration The in
ividuals who are busy in this nefarious business
are among the leaders of the extreme wing of
the Republican party. They have, moreover, i'm
parted to their friends the information that the |
incoming administration proposes at once to build |
EN- frigates and to increase the army to 100000 |
n $50, 900 men, We are not retailing idle ru-
nors. We know, on what we believe to be the
most responsible authority, who offers to supply
he money, and we cannot for an instant doubt
hat it has been or will he forthcoming. We SUBJ
nit these facts to our readers. IT, we have said,
bis State chooses, when the Union is dissolved,
o 90 with the North or the South, we shall bow
o the popular will, for with the destinies of Ma
yland our own are inseparably connected for
veal or woe. But we desire TO have voice in
hat matter. We do not wish to be bought and
old; and we do not intend to be if we can
elp it. But such will uuquestonably be our fate
f Virginia leaves the Union and Maryland pur-
ues her present policy month longer.