The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-07-08
BALTIMORE.
MONDAY, JULY S, 1861.

OF all the State papers which have ever emana-
ted from the Government of the UNITED STATES
Mr. LINCoLN's Message TO Congress IS ihcoh'es'a-
bly, the most inconcusive and absurd. IhiS Is
certainly saying great deal, for OF late years the
nlaces which statesmen should have hlied nave
been usurped by third-rate politicians, who nave
treated Ms TO no ordinary amount OF what is COM
,norrv called "baderdash" But we are still
convinced that it is perfectly safe to say that Mr..
IIycoLN's late exposition of the situation
Of the country and the purposes of the
Government is more pitiaby puerile than any that
Congress has before received at the hands of the
Executive In all the Messages which have been
transmitted by former Presidents TO the National
LEGISLATURE there has been at least disposition
manifested 10 state and deal with the real issues
before the country. The salient points of the
subiacts under discussion have been brought for
ward. and the more important facts bearing upon
tbe matters in dispute have been at least referred
to But we look in vain through bfr. LIN
CONS Message for any evidence of his ca
pacity to comprehend the actual position of
affairs, or of desire to meet fairly the questions
which now so imperatively demand a prompt and
80
which he is placed are unprecedented, and if they
involve him in peculiar embarrassments, they also
render it all the more incumbent on him to make
his views explicitly and fully known. The STU
pendous and papable facts by which he finds him
self surrounded must certainly have impressed
him, as they have the people, with an adequate
idea of the magnitude Of the danger which threat
ems the nation, and of the number OF difficulties
which seem to preclude the hope Of satisfactory
or speedy termination of the pending war. The
peone of the whole South in arms. They
have organized an independent government, and
have announced their firm purpose to maintain it.
They are rich, they are strong, they are brave,
and they are united. They stand across the path
of the Federal armies, and protest their determine
ton to resist the advance of the latter to the last
extremity, and we have every reason to believe
they will keep their word. Mr. LINCOLN has
chosen TO go to war with them, and it is now all
important to US to learn precisely what he hopes
to gain by it. We want to know how long he
expects it o last-what Is to be the final cost
and how the South is to be governed if the Fede-
raj forces should happen to take every town
between Richmond and New Orleans. These
are the main questions before the people, and
these are the identical points which Mr.. LINCOLN
has taken pains to avoid. Instead of dealing in
frank and practical way with these grave issues,
he has entered upon a rambling discussion of the
facts and propositions about which most people
had come 10 conclusions three months ago With
the exception Of the short paragraph in which he
calls for four hundred thousand men, and four
hundred millions OF dollars, there is nothing in the
message that it is of the slightest Importance 10 the
people or Congress TO know. A foolish explana-
tion of the vacillation of the Administration in
regard to the evacuation of Fort Sumter-a little
twaddle about the necessity imposed upon "a con-
"stitutioEal republic or democracy" to defend its
existence statement of the illegal measures re-
sorted to by the Administration though without
any accompanying reason to show that they were
jnstifabe-and disqusition upon the illcgaty
of secesson-these constitute the staple of what
He suggests probability of an adjustment Of
the dispute between the seciions-he makes no al
fusion TO the hostile army of the Confederates be-
yond the Potomac. He merely lets us know that
he wants 1000 men and the control of
$500, 900 900 with which 10 prosecute the war.
This request, however, suggests at least one con-
solatory reflection. 1t is some comfort to know
that Mr.. LINCOLN hesitated to enlist so many men,
and to raise so much money, without the consent
of Congress.