The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-01
The NATIONAL CRISIS.
EFRoMoUR SPECIAL coRBEsPovDEEr.I

[FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESP ONDEETl
WASHINGTON, Feb. %.
MEssRs. EDTToRs The excitement in Washing.
ton to-day has been very great, and will no doubt
continue to increase until after tAe inauguration.
The city is crowded with strangers, principally
from the Western States, although there are few
Southerners from the Border States. After the
action of the Peace Commissioners on Wednesday,
the interest in events was much enhanced. The
moderate men of all parties were full of congratu-
lations while the extreme Republicans were great
" dissatisfied and in unmeasured terms condemned
the results. The fight between the two wings of
the party has now commenced ir earnest and is
waged with great bitterness. The failure of the
Corwin proposition in the House strengthened the
hopes of the extremists, who were confident that
their system of filibustering would prevent RE-
consideration of the vote.
As is usual on votes of this kind two or three
friends of the measure voted in the negative for
the purpose of moving reconsideration, which
would have been done on Wednesday had not sew
eral OF those who We're expected to support the
measure, but who voted in the negative, asked
that further action might be postponed until Thurs
day morning. Accordingly, yesterday morning, as
soon as the ordinary business was transacted, the
motion to reconsider made. Mr.. Stanton, o f
Ohio, spoke to the question. He warned the Re-
publican members OF the dangers which beset
them party-assured them that the sentiment
of the country demanded compromise; and if the
Republicans refused to allow the people to express
themselves on the questions at issue, they would
be repudiated as party. He said, in speaking of
the Southern Confederacy, that rather than inau-
gurate civil war, he was ready to recognize it as
nation of the earth.
As soon as the Speaker announced the vote recon-
sidering the vote of Wednesday, Mr.. Corwin gained
the floor and moved the previous question, which
was put and the resolution passed by a vote of 135
yeas to 60 nays wild scene of disorder followed
Ia unt horn ayuo aY1p,lo,,
both from the floor and the galleries. and some min
utes elapsed before order was restored. The amend
ment to the Constitution thus adopted amounts in
reality to nothing more than the Constitution al
ready guarantees, and which Republicans of the
Sumner school do not deny. The Southern men,
bers voted for it consequence, but do not view
it as concession from the North The only good
effect it can have, will be to demoraze the Repub-
lican party. and widen the breach already exist
ing. Mr.. Greeley was on hand and did his utmost
to prevent two-thrds vote. He, together with all
the other ultras, denounced the weak. kneed, al
though it was evident that they felt the blow ser-
ously.
The fight between the wings is of the most un-
relenting character. Quarter is neither given nor
asked. This war is particularly waged in regard
to the formation of the Cabinet Greeley and the
Washburnes, and others of that ilk, are pressing
the claims of Chase. A protest, signed by ma
Jority of the Republicans of the Ohio delegation,
against Chase's appointment, was sent to the Pre-
sident. MIR. Corwin is bitter in his opposition to
him, and the general impression is, that Chase will
be shelved. He is in the city himself, and since
the adjournment of the Peace Conference, has been
experimenting the engineering, but his friends
have no assurance of success.
Mr.. Lincoln sent for the Hon. Mr.. Guthrie
Wednesday, and the ex-Secretarv had quite an ex-
tended interview. The President elect, however,
refused to express any opinion in regard to events
He evaded direct question as to whether he would
give the influence of his administration in favor of
calling National Convention, by remarking that
he had great confidence in the people in this crisis
There is but little doubt that Mr. Lincoln is with
Mr.. Seward, but how far that honorable gentleman
will go in the path of Cancellation nobody knows.
His action yesterday, in the Senate, when the re-
port of the Peace Commissioners was taken up for
consideration, was not what the conservatives ex.
pected, and all are at sea in regard to where Mr..
Seward stands
There is a sprinkling of Maryland Republicans in
the city, but their general appearance and CONVEX
sation indicate that things are not going as they
desire. They are terribly worried concerning
Henry Winter Davis and Gov Hicks. They assert
that the Governor is in Washington looking after
the spos, and if he gains favor with the Admins
tration their expectations will end in disappoint-
ments. 1t is confidently asserted that Davis will
go into the Cabinet. There is doubt fierce
struggle going on between the interests of Davis
and Blair for place in the Cabinet; but the gen.
eral impression is that Blair will eventually tri-
umph. Davis yesterday aimed side blow at Col.
George T. Kane. In the civil and diplomatic bill
was an appropriation to pay Col. Kane for moneys
the bill was under consideration, Davis moved to
strike out the appropriation. Mr.. Phelps defended
1t, but the motion to strike out was carried. Mr..
Davis said the claim might be good, but should be
on another bill. The effect of this will be to post
pone the payment to the next session.
The military preparations still continue, and
some few of the tmid fear that there will be diff
fculty on the fourth. The best informed persons
however, are confident that not the slightest trou-
BILE will occur, and that Gen. Scott will have no op
portunity to display his forces. Col. Harvey
Brown, who has command of the artillery, asserted
in the presence of two citizens of Maryland, that
with few hundred men he could march direct to
Charleston. 1t is to be hoped that the Colonel
will not have an opportunity to make the trial, but
if he should, b might stumble before he got very
far on his way. MARYLAND.
Southern Congressional LegisIation-Cotton
to be Taxed with am Export Duty.
MONTGOMERY, Feb. 27.-Mr. Wrigbts resolution
for the discussion of the permanent Constitution
will be publicly considered tomorrow.
Mr.. Chilton's resolution instructing the Naval
Committee of Inquiry as to the propriety of con-
structing several-iron plated frgates was adopted.
An act to raise provisional forces for the Con-
ederate States and for other purposes, which has
been passed. directs, among other provisions, that
the President take charge of all the military oper
atons between the Confederacy and other
powers
An act has been passed to raise money to sup
port the Government. 1t authorizes the Presi.
dent to borrow SIS, 100000, payable in ten years
at an interest of per cent. The last section d
rects an export duty of Is per cent. ON each pound
of cotton exported after the first of August next,
to create fund to liquidate principal and interes
of the loan. .#t
The Committee on Flags have not yet reported
RESIGNATION IN THE REVENUE SERVICE.
NORFOLK, Feb. 2S.-Edgar o. Murden, of Soutt
Carolina, first lieutenant of the cutter Dobbn ha:
| resigned, to take effect on the Sd of March. |
accepted, he goes South.
Another Army Officer Gone Over to the
fr. South sta.F.H
NORFOLK, Va, Feb. 27.-Leut. Colonel Grover
of this city left yesterday for Montgomery, to joil
! the Southern army.