The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-04

exist north of certain line, and the whole country
acquiesced in that compromise.
In 1854, that restriction upon slavery was re-
moved, and the people of all the Territories were
left free to decide the question for themselves
Now the sectional issue is again presented, by the
dominant party in the North, claiming that slavery
cannot legally go into the Territories even if
sanctioned by Congress the Territor ia Legisia-
ture; and that it is the right aud duty of Congress
to prohibit its existence, While the doctrine
which. obtains with majority of the people of
most of the Southern States is, that under the
Constitution the Territories are all open to slavery;
that neither Congress nor the Territorial Legisla-
ture can lawfully prohibit its existence, and that
it is the duth of Congress to provide for it all
needIul protection. May we not wisely follow the
example of fathers by reenacting the old
compromise line of 1920, and extending it to the
boundary of California?
Not by the means of legislation of doubtful con-
stitutionaitv, but by an amendment to the COnstl-
tuition ITSELF and thus permanently fix the condi-
ton of the territories; that those who desire to
occupy them, may find home, at their discretion,
either where slavery tolerated whe 1T is pro-
hibited. If the adoption of such an amendment
would peacefully settle the difficulties which now
surround US, | satisfied that i: would be sane
toned by the people OF Pennsylvania. AT all events
they should have opportunity to accept or reject
it, if made as a peace offering. would, therefore,
recommend the General Assembly to instruct and
request our Senators and Representatives in Con-
gress to support proposition for such an amend
cation or rejection, to convention of Delegates,
elected directly by the people of the State.
In the event Of the failure of Congress speedily
to propose this or similar amendment to the Con-
stitutOn, the citizens of Pennsylvania should have
opportunity, by the application of some peace
able remedy, to prevent the dismembermeGt of this
Union. This can only be done by calling con-
ventiOn of delegates, to be elected by the people,
with view solely to the consideration of what
measures should be taken to meet the present fear
fu exigencies. If Congress should propose
remedy, let it emanate from the source of all
thority, the people themselves.
THE PREsrDEYr's RECEPrIoY.-Ihe account pub
lished by evening paper of the Presidents re-
ception on New Years day is remarkable for the
complete disregard of truth which is manifested in
its every line. In the first place, the attendance,
so far from being ''meagre," was, if anythjng,lar-
ger than former occasions, and the demeanor of
all the visitors who called to greet the Chief Ma
gistrate was marked BY theproloundest respect and
heartiest good will We have the best reason to
know, and to assert in the most positive manner,
that, out of the vast crowd which called at the
Executive Mansion, not one person failed in respect
the most scrupulous propriety OF conduct to-
wards the President Washington Constitution,
Jan. 3.
The HOME SQUADRoN.-As near as we can locate
them, the following the vessels of the Home
Squadron likely to be called to support the
new Collector at Charleston:
Flagship Savannah, steam-frgate Roanoke,
]
Prebe, sOop Pawnee, steamer Mohawk is on the
coast of Cuba, steamer Water Witch is at Pbila-
depha, steamer Wyandotte is on coast of Cuba,
steamer Crusader is coast of Cuba, slOop tal-
mouth, steam sloop Susquehanna, frigate Sabine,
at Vera Cruz; steam sloOp Brooklyn, soop-ofwar
jamestown, sloop Saratoga, at Philadelphia; sloop
st. Louis, at Vera Cruz.
THE ABsrRACrED BoNDs.-We learned yesterday
evening from good authority, that the bail of Rus
sell had been reduced from S500,00 to 100000, it
being entirely impossible in the present condition
of monetary affairs for the friends of Russell to OBJ
tain the amount called for by the authorities at
first. 0fthis amount (the Sl00,000) $4,000 is re-
qured to be given by citizens of Washington, and
the remaining $50 900, so said authority, was
to be pledged by Russels Missouri friends. 1t was
understood that certain wealthy parties in New
York, (three well-knOwn mOaied men of that city
were to give a bond of indemnity to the amount of
$4,000 to certain other parties in this city, who
were to justify to that amount to-day and let Rus
sell out of jail Washington Star.
IMPORT OF CoFFEE.-The total importations into
the United States from Brazil during the past year
amount to $50, ,4Sl bags, which added to the stock
in all the seapors on the 3st December, 1859, (esti-
mated at 100000 bags,) which, after deductng the
stock hand at the present time in all the Atlantic
ports (l25OO0 bags,) gives for consumption and in
hands of the trade in the interior of the country,
S34 ,48l bags-which, compared with the quantity
taken for consumption last year, shows a decrease
of 1885, ,33S bags.
MADE INSANE BY THE PoLlrcAL CRIsts.-Rev.
Mr. BOtsiOTd, pastor OF the presbyterian CnuTCn IN
Eighty-sixth street, New York, was removed to the
Boomingdale asylum on Saturday, violently in
sane. 1t is said that the first symptoms of insan-
ity were exhibited while Mr.. Botstord, who has
been close student, preparing sermon on
the great political question of the day, which he
intended to preach to his congregation on Sunday.
UNION MEETING ArTHE CAPIToL.-The Star, of yes
terday, says: meeting will be held in the House
of Representatives, at two O'Clock to-day, to which
the Representatives. of the Government, the clergy
and members OF all religious denominations, and the
citizens generally, are invited. DR.. Gurley,
Chaplain of the Senate, will preside; an address
will be delivered by Rev. DR.. Stockton, Chaplain
fthe House, and other exercises of devotion will
be observed.
During the year which has just closed, twenty
soldiers of the revolution have died. four Of whom
were ofNew England, viz: Holmes Greenwood,
Rhode Island; David Bostwick, Connecticut;
Reuben Burt, Massachusetts, and Ralph Farnham,
of Maine.
The Charleston Courier, OF Friday, says: We
understand that the Several Banks throughout the
State will agree to take their respective propor-
tions of the State loan of four hundred thousand
| dollars authorized at the present session OF tue
Legislature for the military defence OF the STATE
The Baptist Society connected with the Baptist
/ Church at South Reading, Mass, held meeting
between services on Sunday, at which they voted
not to observe the Fast recommended oy the Pres-
! ident on Friday next
| memoriaI containing four hundred and ftfy-sir
feet Of names has been sent to- the Pennsylvania Leg
islat1re from Philadelphia, praying the repeal of
ali such laws on her statute books to impede
| the operation of the Fugitive Slave Law.
paper is in circulation for signatures at Rich
mond. Va, requesting John Minor Bolts to leave
the State his views, as expressed In recent letter,
being considered obnoxious.
The co-operationists of Alabama will have some
obIa men in their Convention. Jere. Clemens,
Nick. Davis, and Il. JemisOn, Jr., rank among the
ablest men in the State.
The Charleston Mercurg cOntradicts the report
that the telegraph office in that city is controlled
by the State authorities.
The citizens of Taunton, Mass, have started a
snbcrintion for the purchase of sword to be pre-
sented to Major Anderson.
The payment of the salaries of the teachers of the
Public Schools of Philadelphia has again been de-
ferred for want of funds in the city treasury,