The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-26
BALTIMORE.
FRIDAY, APRIL &c. 1861.

The fact that the Legislature is to assemble to-
day at Frederick is the subject of general re-
joicing Order is TO be evolved out of chaos;
some definite measures arc to be adopted in lieu
OF the contradictory plans and suggestions which
have been perplexing the community; some deci-
ded line of policy is to be prescribed for the gui-
dance of the State, which has too long been drift
ing with each changing wind and current Such
is the task before the Legislature and we cannot
doubt that it will be satisfactorily discharged for
the members Of that body thoroughly realize the
gravity of the occasion which has summoned them
together, and they understand July that upon the
promptitude and prudence of their measures, The
safety, honor and welfare of Maryland materially
depend. OF course the first thing which the Le-
gislature will have TO do, will be to put the State
in position to defend herself against invasion
from without, and to maintain peace and order
within her own limits. Having taken the steps
necessary to secure this vital object the next duty
will be to explain and regulate our relations with
the Federal Government and the neighboring
States. The people of Maryland are at this mo-
ment in an attitude Of quasi rebellion against the
Federal Government Theoretically our relations
to it are what they have always been, for nothing
has been done by any of the authorities of Mary
land which in the slightest degree affects them;
and we still in close connection with it praci-
caly, for it is collecting the revenue and carrying
the mails. But the people here stand nevertheless
In revolutionary attitude, for they have, with
arms in their hands, compelled the PRESIDENT to
alter his plans and to abstain from the exercise of
what he claims to be an indisputabe right. How
the Legislature will deal with these questions it is
not easy to say. But one fact, we think, it
must recognize, and that is, that if ever
men were justified in assuming a revou-
tionary position, the people of this State and city
are free of blame for acting as they have done.-
1t is folly to talk about the 'right of transit
or the legal title Of the Administration to the
Federal Capital. In the presence of the one great
issue before us, all minor points like these
dwindle into insignifcance The technicalities
with which men seek to bar the progress of this
revolution are but as cobwebs hung across the
path of an advancing hurricane. So far as the
people of Maryland are concerned, they need put
IN no special plea to vindicate their action They
are simply standing upon the defensive; they have
but resorted to the law of selfprotection. An
army unlawfully called into existence was about
to swarm across our territory, not only for the
purpose of coercing our neighbors into obedience
but also with the int mt to compel US to silence
and submission. The people of this State, there
fore, could not suffer themselves to be dragged
into an aggressive against the South, when
they were satisfied that the cause of the South
was their cause also; and still less could they per-
NIT themselves to be taken possession of without
their consent Ky either section of the now divided
contederacy. They understand, even without the
explicit declarations of the North to that effect,
that it was the purpose of the latter 10 take and
hold Maryland, and they know, moreover, that
after strong garrisons were once staff oned
throughout the State, and ships of war an
chored in its waters, the will and wishes
of its people would be alike disregarded.
They felt that their interests and honor
were at stake and they determined that if they did
ultimately join the Northern confederacy it should
be because they chose to do so, and not at the die
tation of the North. They will not be dragged in
either direction with a chain about their necls, or
pricked forward in either path by the bayouet of
the stranger. They could not therefore submit
to the domination Of the Northern troops until
they have decided whether these are to be hence.
forth our enemies or allies. They had but one
thing TO DO, and that was to resist to the best of
their ability the influx of the Northern regiments
from the free States. The position thus taken is
the only one which is consistent with our honor
or our safety, and the Legislature will, we think,
unhesitatingly approve it, and help US to main
tain it until the popular will can be known. When
that is done it will be the duty of every man to
render it cheerful obedience, and Maryland,
neither fearing nor faltering, will move forward
upon the path she will have chosen.