The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-07-06

Upon the members of the Federal Congress now
in session at Washington depend the issues oc
peace or war. Sixiy-sx vacant seats in the House
vi Representatives, and twenty-five in the Senate,
express more eloquently than could possibly be
embodied IN words the magnitude of the crisis,
ana The tremendous responsibility which attaches
10 those who have to deal with it. They stand
face to face with disrupted Union, and it is by
the measures which they shall sanction in this
'eiflple eXigencT that posterity will Judge them
Alihost within sight of the windows of those
nails In which their deliberations are to be con-
quoted, lies entreuched and encamped an army,
numbering not less than seventv-6ye thousand
men, which has been summoned RI tho
held without their authority and on nre
texts That have long since been abiured The
hi'n VINO mas thus usurped that and other powers
conhdeo only 10 their hands, now looks to them
10 endorse his repeated violations of his official
oath 10y leSazing his acts. If, rs some fear, thew
are not only ready, but eager to do this. and TO
1.-THE seal to their shame by sacrificing their
constitutional scrupes at the altar of marty il
cannot he long before we shall know who they
are that aspir. 10 this bad emnence, and what ul-
''rlor purposes they have in view Let them pom
der well what the future consequences NAV be.
before they establish a precedent that NAV he
quite rs cfieclually used against them IS AGAINST
others. They constitute, as body. a Coordinate
branch of the Government They are also the
eiec'en guardians OF their own prerogatives and
oil the rights OF the people. If they prove false to
the'r trust; false to the oath which, as LEGISLATORS
they are called upon to take before entering upon
their functions; false to their own honor and dio
n'ty, and to the peace, prosperity and welfare
OF the body polite, an avenging Nemesis will
transmit their names to future generations as the
plant tools OF faction which found in them fit
instruments Tor deluging the land with blood and
I0r erecting on the ruins ofthe Republic as absolute
oespousm as ever darkened and disgraced the
annals OF a nation. They have it in their power
10 give peace to the country and restore harmony
between the sections. They have it in their power
to disavow the hostile measures of the Admins
tration; to impeach the man who 'sis the head and
'front of this otnding; to vndicate the integrity
of the Constitution, and to command a truce
whilst reason and right principle work out
an honorable adjustment. l: they are Chris
tan men, and profess to be governed by
Christian precepts they are bound TO ex-
haust all means of Cancellation before thew
consent to put this quarrel to the arbitrament O
the sword. AS humane men merely. and anart
rom any hxed religious principles they nigh
well hesitate to devote one-half of this fai
land to hire and slaughter. as thoughtful and in
teligent men-and such we presume they claim to
be-they can never hope to solidly cement n
broken Union in the blood of men of their own
quest OF seven millions of people, animated nv
'iie same spirit which triumphantly sustained the
tnree mliilons VINO fought the first war of indie
pendence, can never be conquered Least of all
would they consent to be brought again under
subJection to the North. There is an unity of
sentiment among them with regard to this matter
which has no parallel even in the annals of the
Revolutionary epoch, when the name of WASH
INGToN was tower of strength, and rebel and
traitor were convertible terms If the mem.
bers of the present Congress, resolutey casting
themselves loose from the trammels of party. dis
regarding all sectional affiliations, and trampling
prejudice and fanaticism beneath their feet were
capable of rising TO the height of the occasion,
1hey might win for themselves immortal honor.
ou' 'he temper in which they assemble, the pro-
e''e winch Is already marked out for them,
ana Inc measures which it is confidently stated
they are prepared to sanction, denote but too
clearly that they willing slaves to the madness
OF the hour, and that truth and reason, Christian
principles and humane feelings, the promptngs Of
patriotism and the teachings of history will be
alike lost upon them. They are for war-war on
scale hitherto happily unknown in this country
a war which, if prosecuted in the evil spirit that
mas prompted its initial proceedings, will be
marked by crueties and barbarities as repuenant
70 the spirit of the age as it will be fatal to the
n'er'es OF this people. A war so instigated and |
81 conducted can have but one result-tbe South |
~" triumph; for everything that the South cher
or "' sake upon the issue, and every instinct
Tho So 'eVo'ts at the idea of subiugation -
t southern people may be made to suffer mncb
ou' 'ney will infiict much SUFFERING, !, rat,rn
. wy en OF all will be treaty of peace and the
recognition of the Southern Coptaae aou =. -. -
dependent power. Yet the North MI
nss1 congress will respond to the sanguinary an,
peAi' ana much blood will flow and mncb ,res.uro
De wasted, and when ruin stalks o1sr 81, ~. -
ana the wall of widows and orphans is heard on
n.. passing breeze-why then we shall have
49,, were it not better that we should have it