The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-17
BALTIMORE.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL II, 1861.

In returning, as we have done to-day, and fire.
qaentiy Of late, to the discussion of facts and
opinions which ought to be- by this time, under
stood, we have of course been governed by no
hesitation in our own convictions, and no need of
argument for our own sakes. But the Judgment
Of every single man, MS yet undecided, is worth
addressing, with calmness and reason, and amonp
u.s. unhappiy, there are still many, whose decision
has vet to be made. Were we to deal with tbo
absorbing question of the hour, simply as it
stands before our own minds, we should regard it
as presenting but single and palpable issue
War is declared against our brethren of the South
Shall we join in shedding their blood? Shall Ma
ryand and her sister slave States of the border
permit it to be shed, if they can prevent it?-
These are the practical inquiries which start nm IN
be answered by the heart of every man around us
Let them be evaded and disguised as they may be
let them be covered up with phrases by all the
diabolical ingenuity which is at work to overspread
this land with sorrow and desoation-still thew
are, in fact, the only questions with which, as
men and citizens, we have to deal in this crisis
of civilization and free institutions. 1t is
not whether secession is constitutional or
unconstitutional, but whether we shall write AR
LNcoLN's constitutional interpretations, or our
own, in blood. 1t is not whether we shall main
tain the UNION, conditionally or Internationally.
but whether we shall bury all hopes, not only of
Union, but Of reconciliation and human fellow
ship, beneath the sod of the battlefield forever
It's not whether the honor of our flag shall be
ylndicated; for, between brethren it is the strife
which brings shame, and not its issue. It is NOT
to maintain republican institutions; for the men
and brethren against whom the trumpet of war is
sounded, are as republican as we-sons of the
same fathers; born to the same heritage; sheltered
by the arm of the same merciful God NornoI
no . 1t Is none Of these thngs-and to set them
up CT to set up any honorable or Christian pre-
text for the crusade which is gathering against
the South, is to impose upon mems preiudices: TO
Pt"cItce upon their patriotism; to lead them, in
the proSutated name Of their country and its
Union, into the abyss of murder and perdition.
has any man who reads what VIC are writing.
thought, ever, Of civil war? Has he seen it
FELT lt-read of il? Does he know what it isl All
the devils Of hate and crime let louse upon tbe
tarth, could not blacken it more. Like ATTI1A. If
Is the Scourge Of God. And it is to this that we
are called is this that we are exhorted to vel
come Its for this that Governors are rvallino
each other to tender regiments, and legislatures
10 appropriate millions. It is to this. that the
RESIDENT ana Ministers Of Republic are COM
ii'nulHg lis citizens to rush, from their children
ana hresides. And whittier are the gathered
hosts to be led? To the homes which three mil
Mons OIL our kindred stand ready to defend. They
are not invading our soil, or moesting our people.
ley are asking only to be let alone. They are
seeking but the privilege of governing themselves.
Ihey have asked for peace and have been treated
win contumely. They have proffered uepotia-
lions and their proffers have been scorned. They
must yield or be subjugated. Will they WELD?
Never! They may be exterminated, but they
Will not be subdued. 1t will be war without
truce or mercy, and the blood shed in it will CRY
up to Heaven, while there is a Heaven to which if
may appeal
IN the name then, of humanity and peace-in
TUE ho'y Name OF Him who brought the tidings
OF me one unto the other-let pause hafnra it
be too late. The maintenance of all the Govern
ments that ever corrupted the hearts and seduced
the ambition of men, would not cleanse, before
His tribunal the iniquity of such strife, between
the brethren who are arming to begin it. Alas !
Tor It's ending, If once begun For US, men of Ma
ryland, if we cannot prevent the wrong let us, at
least have no part or lot in it, Let US be content
never to learn whether eve have Government"
rather than learn, at the same time, that there is
nothing left 10 govern, but divided, a broken
and blood-staned people!