The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-06

We are very decidedly of opinion that under
present circumstances, the rebuilding of the rail-
road bridges is matter of little or no importance
Their continuance in their present condition could
only embarrass but not stop the North
ern troops, and their restoration would
De of trifing advantage TO US. We are
satisfied that the reconstruction of the bridges
would have no such effect upon the trade
and business of this city, as was suggested at the
meeting held at the Corn Exchange last week.
Grant that they are restored and travel
over the roads is unobsructed, can we
as a consequence anticipate revival of
of commercial activity? Will produce of all kinds
seek Its market in Baltimore as it has been accus-
toned to do heretofore? Will merchants from the
interior make their purchases here as usual, with
the certainty that such goods will enjoy an unin-
teri Aped transit Westward, by way Of the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad; Northward over the
Northern Central, or Southwardy by our coast
ers, or by means of the Southern railways? five
can neither receive breadsufs nor provisions,
which are the chiefstaples of the West and North
west nor send such as we have to the South, where
with the exception of the foreign demand, the great
bulk of our customers reside, how, or in what
manner, is trade to be benefited by the repairing
of the railways? Those railways, whatever we
may say or do, will still remain closed-are in
point OF fact, closed already, and Theoretically
sealed by orders of the General Government
The blockade of the Southern ports bars likewise
all commercial access in that direction coast
wise. Governor DENIsoN, of Ohio, has, by proc
lamaton, prohibited the transportation of bread
s'ufs and provisions through the State of Vir-
gina, and consequently over the Baltimore and
Ohio Railway, whose western termini within
the limits of that State. Detachments of troops
are to be stationed at Belair and Bridgeport, re-
spectivey, for the purpose of more efectually car
rylng out this order, which includes also live stock
ofevery kind. This source of supply NAV therefore
be said to be closed against u.s. even if the troops a
the Relay House did not modest the trans Wa
come now to the Northern Central. The immediate
rebuilding of all the bridges that have been de-
sroyed upon this road, and the removal of all oh
structohs 10 the usual and general trade and
travel, has been earnestly advocated by our mer
chants on the express ground that the restoration
of the facilities for travel and traffic will bo &c
signal benefit to their business interests. No ono
doubts that, under ordinary circumstances, it
would do So In the existing condition of affairs
it is perfectly evident 10 the commonest under
standing that it will not. The Federal Govern
ment has already determined that it shall not
The Marshal for the Eastern district Of Pennsylva-
MIA has notified the Presidents of the Railways
running South from Philadelphia of his intention
10 selze and hold possession of all -four and other
provisions, and all munitions of war and military
stores Intended for Maryland or any other of the
States OF the South. Here, then, we have an en-
barge which closes the Northern Central Railway
against the transportation of breads,uffs and pro
visions to this market over that road. Our s,oar
boats running to Norfolk and Richmond are COW
PEELED 10 land their passengers at Old Point
Comfort, and not permitted to carry
freight at all. The other Southern ports are
guarded in like manner, so that to enter them, our
coasting vessels would have to run the gauntlet
OF the blockading squadron. What business,
what commerce can our merchants expect to have,