The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-11


If there be q single man within the Limits Of the
State of Maryland who does not heartily desire
that the Union shall be preserved, we do not know
that man. If there tie any one among us who
would not do all that lies within his power to pro-
mote an honorable adjustment of the fratrcidal
quarrel that has sprung up between the two sec
tons of the Republic he is unworthy to be re-
garded as good citizen. In times like these,
When the smoke of battle is already threatening to
darken the atmosphere, plain speaking and prompt,
direct action take the rank Of virtues. What we
have to say should be said frankly. What we
have to do should be done quickly. There can be
no beating about the bush; no balancing of proba-
bilities; no waiting for something to turn up"
no assertion of what ought, no condemnation of
what ought not to have been. To argue upon a
foregone conclusion is worse than useless. We
must accept the issue as we find it, and provide
for it as we may We may still hold to our con-
victions that secession is nothing more nor less
than revolution; and that revolution means war
Nor can it be doubted that four-fflhs of the people
of Maryland regard the course which has been
adopted by the Cotton States as rash hasty, un-
advised, uncalled for, and-if persisted in-ruin-
Gus to the last degree. 1t has eXasperated pub
lie sentiment at the North; it has strengthened the
influence of the extremists in the Republican ranks;
it has embarrassed the position of the border slave
States and has brought us to the point at which
now are standing-on the verge OF a still widening
gulf These are the political consequences of the pas
sionate impulse which has led some of our sister
States to seek the righting of their own wrongs
outside the pale of the Constitution. The material
consequences have not been less disastrous. They
are felt everywhere throughout the whole extent Of
the Republic, in the disorganizaon of values; in
paralyzed commerce; IL stagnati5n of trade and in
a general want Of confidence in all those trans
actions which are based upon a system of
credit But if Maryland feels convinced that
the grievances of which the South complains
cannot be averted by rushing headlong into Sc
cession, her convictions equally strong, that
as they have their origin with the North, it is in
the power of the North TO provide an adequate
remedy. Let the North 90 justice to the South,
and all may yet be well. To threaten coercion is
to widen the breach The border Slave States are
all of them conservative. Maryland is emnently
BILE arrangement that shall take the slavery oues-
ton out of politics, now and forever; and what
would satisfy the people of Maryland ought to be
equally acceptable to every State South of the
Potomac Such we believe to be fair statement
of the public sentiment, rs it has manifested itself
in this State. But the time has now arrived
when it is absolutely necessary to the sal
walton of the Union if that be still
possbe--that the voice of Maryland should
be authortatively heard. Every other Dor
der slave State has convened its legislature
for the purpose of taking such action in the matter
as the Importance of the crisis demands. Mary
land alone has been restrained from asserting her
convictions. Yet it becomes alike her honor and
her dignity, that she should speak out-hat she
should define her position on question that
touches her so nearly. Not by the mouth of her
Legislature but by its means as the only authori-
zed body through which a Convention of dele
gates, fresh from the people, can be called. The
last hope now remaining, rests upon the action
of the border slave States. Congress has exhaust
ed all its efforts Compromise after compromise has
been offered and rejected, and day by day thepros.
pect ola reconciliation has been growing darker and
darker, until finally, we assured by Vice-Presi
dent BRECKENRIDGE and Senator PEARcE, and by
the concurrent testimony of other Senators and
Delegates, in terms too emphatic to leave any doubt
whatever of the fact, that there is no longer
any hope of an adjustment being reached by the
accredited representatives of the people. Under
such circumstances, what is the duty Of
Maryland? If the other Southern States
have wrongs that demand redress, so has
she. If the other Southern States have reason
to apprehend greater danger, in future, from the
aggressive spirit that pervades at least por-
ton of the Republican party-her position is
not less perilous than theirs. Yet Maryland, to
her honor be it spoken, has religiously observed
her Constitutional obligations, and has been pa
tient in suffering and slow to retalae. Her love
for the Union is deep-rooted and fervent,
and in this sectional feud though deeply
aggrieved, she has hitherto taken no part.
We have at length reached a point when she must
insist that due weight shall be given to her
counsels She cannot evade the issue which has
been pressed upon the country, without losing
her own sense of self-respect. She owes it also
to her sister States that she should frankly as
sert her own convictions, and calmly but resolute
lv assume the responsibilities which belong to her
station. The predominance of the conservative
sentiment within her borders places it, beyond
doubt, that whatever propositions she may make
with view to harmonise the differences that now
prevail, will be maturely considered, and will be
only such as are just and right. We have no fear
that she will be led asray by rash counsels
Our only apprehension is st she should fail to
comprehend the obligations which are imposed
upon her as aco-equal member of the Confederacy-
Who is there among us that would be content to
see her DRIFT on the waves of revolution North
wards or Southwards as chance may determine?
Who is there that would not rather see her
take the helm into her own hands and steer
her own course, as her better judgment may APP
prove and rs sovereign State should
The BRooKLYSoEarly this morning, the United
States Steamship Brooklyn was seen making pre-.
parations for leaving the Navy Yard, having Of am
-, and oome of her fasteninrs coet az Jf;, "a "a