The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-13

visions of the country should take up arms
against each other, it would be impossible that
either side would or could long continue to re-
spect the soil and sovereignty of Maryland. 1t
was easy to foresee that nothing could prevent the
war which would thus be raging all around us
from surging backwards and forwards over our
borders. 1t was evident that without the strength
to turn back the hostile armies, and without any
allies who could aid us, or who would even be
offended by the aggressions to which we might be
subjected, we would be at the mercy of the con-
tending hosts; and that neither of the opposing
nations would hesitate to invade or cross our ter
ritories whenever it could, by so doing. strike
blow at its enemies All this SO perfectly
plain to the commonest understanding, that it is
extraordinary how any one could have been de-
luded by what Governor Hicks called his ''pol
''icy'' Yet, singular as it may seem, there have
been not few persons among us who imagined
that Maryland could be at peace while the whole
continent was involved in war; that there might
be quiet here, though the nation should be in a
whirl of mad excitement; that our business was TO
be undisturbed while ruin was stalking throughout
theland; that our rights would be regarded though
armed men trampling laws and constitutions
under foot from one end of the country to the
other. 1t does not appear to have entered into
the minds of these hopeful individuals that the
interests and the rights of maryland would be
considered, by the combatants on either side, as
absolutely insignificant, compared with those for
which the North and South were battling; and
that regarding only the momentous issue between
themselves, the two great Conederacies would pay
little heed to our remonsrances or wishes, though
they might perhaps regret the stern necessity which
impelled them to do us wrong, and be willing TO
make some atonement for it in the future. All
these inevitable facts however have been wiltully
! ignored. We have therefore absaned from TAX
ing sides in this controversy, and have also ne
elected to strengthen ourselves in the isolated po-
sition we have chosen, and we have consequently
no friends to help us, and we are in no condition
| to protect ourselves on the instant against insult
and oppression. The troops which the Federal
| Government has so illegally called into service
! have taken possession of our towns and highways
and are preparing to assail a sister State which in
self-defence has been also compelled 10 push her
forces across our frontier. As we cannot prevent
the Government from erecting batteries and es-
t,blishing camps upon our soil for the purpose OF
attacking Virginia, have no right to expect
Virginia TO abstain from entering our borders to
drive back her enemies. So long as armies are
sent forth from Maryland against Virginia the
latter must regard US as willing unwilling par
ties to the war against her. We have therefore
the soldiers of both sections upon our territory,
and while we cannot aid or ask assistance from
either we shall suffer from both. Such is the Ia
mentable situation to which Governor Hicks
fatuous policy has brought us. He has kept Mary
land inactive and neutral and she is now subil-
gated and exposed to the chance of destruction
Her citizens have no assurance of protection
against the marauders who may traverse her ter
Iitory save such as their own stout hearts and
ready hands can afford them. These are it is
true more than sufficient for the mere purpose OF
sef-preservaion, but it is not to the patriotism,
prudence and manliness of Governor Hicks that
the people of the State are indebted for the means
of thus far defending their rights their interests
and their honor.