The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-15

The Patriot, of Saturday last, undertook to en-
Tighten the world on the philosophy of coercion.
1t is subject which has frequently been discuss
ed before at the Cabinet Councils in Washington
in both Houses of Congress, at public meet
ings, in private circles, and by the newspapers
everywhere throughout the breadth of the land.
We nevertheless fearlessy assert, that never be-
fore has it been treated in so original manner
as by our contemporary. ''To imagine, it says,
''that coercion is necessary, in the settlement of
national or sectional disputes is an evidence of
"our lack of proper enlightenment OF course
it is. Nobody would venture to undertake to
flagellate another unless he was both mentally and
morally obfuscated, 'to say nothing" as our
contemporary very properly remarks, 'of reli-
'.'gious obligations 1t is further intimated.
that if both parties understood each other, and
were disposed to deal with each other in q spirit
of fairness, the point in dispute could be very
readily adjusted to their mutual satisfaction
The novelty of this truism is not among the
least of its merits. 1t covers so completely the
whole ground of controversy; it indicates so con-
clusively how quarres may be settled without
resort 10 blows that we are only surprised that so
remarkable discovery should have been re-
served for this age, and should have been made
public for the first time in the columns of news
paper. Now for the application. First, then, we
are presented with quite an array of facts. South
Carolina, told, ''is smarting severely
"under her wrongs" but we regret to say that
there is no information given as TO what caused
the "smart." 1t may have been blister of
Spanish flies, or bunch of nettles, or a brchen
rod. Upon this point our morallst is profoundly
silent. All that we are assured is that she 'thas
ts'become highly inflamed' thereby, which would
Indicate that the ''inhiction' which gave rise 10
this infiammatory condition, was of very seri-
Gus character; more especially as we are given to
understand that she proposes to resist, even to
"the shedding of blood, the aggression" Here a
new actor steps in. 1t is F'the Government
First, it demonstrates in its official robes; next it
dofs its drapery of Office and demonstrates unof-
cially, and after concluding its remons trance, it
coureously reminds South Carolina that she has
not definitely stated what her wrongs are, and
''what would satisfy her in the settlement there
''of." This is rather new reading of his
tory, but W accept it under protest, nevertheless
and proceed with the narrative which grows
resistance in various ways, and now," says the
Patriot, with sorrowful emphasis, ''the idea of
"coercion is becoming very general" Overcome
by emotion at the thought of such conclusion
having been reached, the Patriot exclaims wildly,
'Why is it that South Carolina cannot present
1.-THE claim of her grievances. and calm
',y await the ISSUE why is it that the
General Government cannot treat with the
"disafected members of its Coniederacy in calm
"ness and dignity?' We are sure we DOM know;
but We of course derive immense satisfaction
from being told that the idea of coercion is incon-
sstent with our late national fast" that
disputes between parties should be governed by a
spirit of fairness, and that 'upon its equality of
fright should the difficulty be adjusted" All of
which doubtless means something, if we
only knew what it was. But the Patriot
started out with the proposition that Carolina was
''smartlng' under her wrongs, and, like a good
Samaritan, comes forward with recipe for her re-
lief. 1t lisa very simple one. Indeed it is exactly
the same one which the Patriot says the Government
has already tried and which notonly failed in doing
good but Immediately brought on fresh parox-
ysm of violence. We give, nevertheless, the for
mula as we find it.. 'Let the Government ascer-
"tain what it is that South Carolina desires, and
''let South Carolina ascertain definitely whether
''or not the General Government can grant her
desire; and if the point cannot be reached by a
first effort, let the parties go on with treaty
until the question is settledn Is not that ad-
mirable? The diplomatic seige may be a long
one. 1t may last more years than did the famous
seige of Troy; but what of that? So long as peo-
pie keep on negotiating, fighting is of course out
of the question: and so, if they fail to adjust mat
tiers before the coming of the Millennium, they at
least avoid being brought to blows. Unhappily |
our confidence in the proposed remedy is very
badly shattered by the doubt which the Patriot
itself expresses in its saving virtues. CATER ALL"
we are sorrowly told, ''coercion may be necessa-
Try; but the hope is nevertheless expressed, and
very badly expressed too, that 'the' parties will |
shave their confidence in each restored,' and, |
moreover, it is wisely urged, and with a gravity |
becoming the importance of the admonition, that
1f the parties were only willing to bear and for
''bear, there could be very speedy agreement" |
in which sagacious conclusion we most heartily |
coincide.