The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-30
BALTIMORE.
TUESDAY, APRIL 80, 1861.


ann W FI%ClAAEGE.
Or the very large edition that was issued of the
WEEKLY EXCHANGE, containing complete and au-
thentic history of the attack on the Massachusetts,
troops and the subsequent proceedings, copies may
be had on app LEGATION at the counter.
--z=zz-=--=.-s-~a.-.-z---
One of the most remarkable features connected
with the Northern scheme for subjugating the
South is the despotism which has been exercised
over the press, and the absolute crushing out of
free speech. In a country like ours, where every
man has been accustomed to give vent to his opin-
ions with perfect impunity this arbitrary repres-
sion is peculiarly significant. That journals,
whose intense disgust of the doctrines avowed by
the Republicans has manifested itself on every oc-
caslon up to within recent period, should sud-
denly become pervers from their former faith and
conscientousy embrace the thing they loathed,
is fiction too monstrous to be believed Perfect
unanimity of sentiment, in relation to govern
mental affairs, would be marvel at any time
and under any conceivable state of circumstances
To say that this apparent unanimity is the result
OF radical change Of sentiment on the part of the
opposition journals Of the North would be to as
sert what every man of even ordinary common
sense feels and knows TO be false. Their convic-
tions have undergone no modification whatso-
ever, but they have been forced TO go with the
current. Had they refused to do so, they would
have been vigorously dealt with. Mob law brought
about this state of things in New York. The En-
press, the NcrS, the Day Book, the Journal of
Commerce. were menaced with destruction if they
did not cease to oppose the will of the dominant
party. The Boston Courier and the Boston Post
hn,-a viii "a -,
cessity. As it was with Them SO it has been with
many others. The press of that entire section has
been as completely muzzled-so far as opposition
Is concerned-as that of Austria now is and as
that of France was until recently. Even the
MEPHIsToPHILEs of the New York Herald has been
chained to the oar, and is now Juggling at it as
jealousy as ever did branded torcat in the gallevs
OF Toulon. This Wanted unity of sentiment,
which Is eXultiDgly proclaimed at the North-is a
sham. This harmony of action-a gross delusion.
The very silence of all opposing elements is the
most striking proof that could possibly be had of
the awes forces that have been brought into action
TO suppress every dissentien voice. Here in Mary
land, and especially in this city, we trust that we
shall never be called upon to record so shameless
desertion of principles at the bidding of any
faction, however strong it may be in point of
numbers, and however menacing its ASPECT. For
ourselves, we claim the right to express our convic-
tons openly and unreservedly, and that right
which we claim to exercise, and which, God
willing, we are determined to maintain through
good and evil report we cordially concede TO
Others, even though their views may differ radi-
cally from those that we entertain. There must
II rDft l,a IT,
no restraint put upon free speech, so long as it
does not degenerate into license or incite to acts
which would endanger the peace of the commun-
lty. There must be no despotism of the mob
The cruelest, because the most unreasoning of all
despotisms. We want no new reign of terror
lnaugurated in our midst. We have had a
bitter experience of what that leads to already
and II an attempt be made to interfere with any one
class of our citizens because of the frank avowaI
o. opinions that may be obaGXAgs ,5e r9RqtbSeer
10 denounce it, whatever the banner may be I'M
der which the rioters rally. The future destiny of
Maryland must be shaped by her people With
our counsel she shall neither be kept in the old
UNION, nor dragged out oft, by a handful of recl-
less partizans. We religiously believe that the
sympathies Of the great bulk of her people point
TO the South, and that there also her interests in
cline. We know how solemn thing it is for a
State to cast herself loose from her old moorinos
ana TO enter upon new and untried career. But
the conviction has been forced upon US by the ma
ture of the events that have already occurred and
OF the struggle which is impending, that the UNION
Is permanently dissolved, and that we are imper-
atively called upon to choose between a Northern
and Southern Confederacy; between an alliance
Win the section which, by its overshadowinp power
will dwarf US into insignifcance, will lord if over
US on all OCCASIONS and which even now in
soienuy menaces us with swift destruction. or
with that other section to which we bavo Ion,,
been bound by community of interests and insti-
tutlons, and where we shall at once occupy fore
most rank, instead of being pitilessy left, like
weak straggler in the rear of victorious army
to subsist as best we NAV Nevertheless ,vbo+
ever our own opinions may be, as regards the
section to which Maryland should link her fntnro
destiny, we hold that it is matter of paramount
importance that every citizen in the State should
nave the fullest liberty to indicate by his vote
at 'he ballot box, whether, in his Judgment it is
preferable for us to go with the North or with tbe
South. We are well aware how hard q tbi,o -
Is with many to consent to give up the old time
honored flag. So long as it could be proudly re-
cognzed as the symbol of nationality: so lone as oil
lis noble ssterhood ofstars were permitted to chino
WIN equal lustre in its blue field so long as tbcv
gave llSht 10, and reflected light from each other
1t was justly entitled to the reverence of evarr
patriotic heart. But the dear old fac aroprd
winch so many glorious memories cluster. is no
longer the flag of an united people. It's nation
alty has passed from it. 1t is not now the fac
OF the UNITED STATES, but of a sectional partv
The nationality it once represented is a thing of
yesterday LINCOLN rallies under its folds tbe CO.
horts OF the North to slaughter Southern men
upon Southern soil. 1t is the Republicans who
have desecrated it, and who have stamped it with
character totally different from what it had when
1t hoated over the head of WASHINGTON. and was
borne by JACKSON in the van of battle. 1t is LIN
COINS flag now-the flag of the Repubcans-and
the red baptism by which it is destined to be de-
voted to the service Of the Administration and the
section which it represents will be consummated
with the blood of the very men who. in other and
happier days, were its most heroic defenders