The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-04
BALTIMORE.
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1861.

The earnestness and spirit with which the Leg
slature has entered upon the discharge of its duties
in this trying crisis are not more gratifying than
the prudence and moderation which it has, up 10
this time, manifested in dealing with thc questions
before it. Fully impress with the gravity of IFS
situation, thoroughly comprehending the desper-
ate condition Of the country; and the perilous sit
uation Of our own State resolutey bent upon vim
dicating the rights Of the South, and protecting
the honor and interests of Maryland, it has
assumed an attitude which is as far removed
from hesitation and timiAity, on the one band,
as from rashness and passion on the other its
course has strengthened lis hold upon the respect
and confidence of its constituents. Scarcely any
measure has been sucgested--aud none has been
adopted-whch does not command, as far as
can Judge, the assent of large majority Of the
people. But among the few Objectionable propo-
stions which have been preached, there is one
which would, passed, encounter the most decided,
if not unanimous opposition in this community,
and perhaps in every county in the State We
allude, of course, TO the bill introduced by Mr..
YEILOTT, providing for a committee of Public
Safety, which is TO be clothed with absolute power
As the Senate ordered the bill to Il second reading
by large majority, we cannot but think it must
have been sprung rather suddenly upon the mem
bers and that the favorable consideration it
received is attributable solely to that fact
Mr.. YELLoTT's Act not merely authorizes the
Board TO "provide for the better organization,
arming and regulation of the militia" leaving
the whole matter to the uncontrolled discretion
of majority Of its MEMBERS but gives them "full
&C IN do rnr roCt
"peace and defence of the State" and contenl-
plates placing large sum Of money at their dis
posa. On the character and extent of the powers
thus conided to six citizens, in conjunction with
the GOVERNOR, it is needless to comment, for it is
apparent at glance that the whole sovereignty of
the State would be vested in Them to be exercised
at their discretion, If the coniuncure was such as
to render this extreme measure absolutely neces-
sary for the security of the lives and property Of
the people of this State, we should give it a
hearty support. Bat we do not believe the emer-
gency has arisen which calls for promper and
simpler action than the Legislature or a sovereign
sents, for all practical and needful purposes, the
people Of Maryland; and even in such reyolu-
ton as that through which we are now passing
it is fully able to provide for our protection
There is no question before US which that body is
incompetent TO deal with, save that touching our
future relations TO the government at Washington,
and what these are to be, sovereign Convention
must determine. We look to the Legislature,
then, to carry the State safely and honora-
bly, through this crisis. Upon it deyolres
that duty, and upon it the labor and re-
sponsibility must rest. IF it should ever appoint
a Board, as it may very well do to reorganizeand
the militia, that Board should act in sub
ordination to the body by which tits created. But
any attempt on the part of the Legislature to di-
vest itself gifts constitutional functions, and to
transfer these TO an irresponsible Board, would
give rise 10 fatal dissensions in our midst, and
destroy the influence of the Legislature; and the
Committee TO which such power had been delega-
gated would assuredly find that it had but
grasped barren sceptre We have thrown
out these views rather TO discourage any
further attempt the part of overhaul
Gus supporters OF our rights to resort TO
extreme measures, than 10 urge the rejection ofthe
bill in question, for we cannot but feel confident
that upon maturer reflection the Senate viii dis
approve Oft, or that the House will, at all events
refuse to sanction it. If we thought otherwise for
a moment we should point cut the objectionable
features at greater length, and protest more yig0r-
ously against its passage.