The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-06
[ From tie Boston Courier. april 4. ]


Last fall, when the Republicans were hurrying
along streets, night after night, jostling and
running over each other in their eagerness to Join
the torch-light professions, hailing each other
boisterously as brave and intrepid "Wide-Awakes,"
displaying their broad capes fancifu lanterns and
flags, decorated with witty devices and funny mot
toes, we warned them, again and again, of the sad
and disastrous consequences which must follow
their possible success in eecting a sectional Presi
ident We told them over and over again to be-
ware. We begged of them by every considera-
ton Of patriotism and of humanity, to desis from
course which must inevitably prove ruinous to the
best interests of the country. We referred them
to the prophetic warnings of the wise men in all
ages of the republic, from ashngton down. We
said then, and we repeat it again, it is utterly i'm
possible and forever out of the question to live in
peace, in a republic where all have common in
terest in the government, without affording the
farest and the fullest opportunity for all TO vote
for their governors and their rulers. The Repub-
icans did not believe The Wide-Awakes would
not even listen to our warnings. The lanterns and
capes and flags multiplied in streets and in our
public squares. Cannon fired, banners
1oatfd in the breezes of the night trumpets were
blown and drums were beaten, until the young
men and Inaidens old men and matrons, fairly ran
mad with the idea OF being able to elect Presi-
dent without the aid of the South. Well, the
deed is done. We have a President, elected with
out a single Southern vote. The Wide-Awakes
have triumphed. To their care is committed the
government of these United States, what there is
left of them.
Gentlemen of the Republican party, gentlemen
of the Wide Awake clubs, how do you like it p
How does it look now? To those of you who have
been successful in procuring office at Washington
doubt the prospect is pleasant but we beg to
inquire respectfully of those who have been unfor
tunate in their application, how the matter stands
with them? And then, there thousands who
never expected place or office; thousands who live
by the sweat of the brow-shoemakers, carpenters,
haters weavers, spinners, painters, engravers, in
short, all sorts of mechanics and laborers, those
who have to earn By their toll bread for themselves
and for their children. How does it look to you,
gentlemen? No longer ago than the very last
autumn, you had plenty of employment, at very
good wages. You could readily meet your rent,
your grocers BILL your doctors BILL and those of
your tailor and butcher. Now, you find these ne
ceSsary expenses very hard for you. You can
scarcely sleep at night in peace for anxiety about
them.
How does it all look to you? The Republicans
told you, told all of US, repeatedly, everywhere,
that II MIR. Lincoln were only once elected all
would be calm and quiet and peaceful; that labor
would be in demand. and the people would be hap
Ply again. But so far from realizing any advan-
tages from the election Of Mr.. Lincoln, things are
certainly growing worse and worse. The Wide
Awakes, if you ask them, to-day, cannot but ad-
init that we are not improving in the least, but are
in fact upon the retrogade. Who, then. has gnin-
cd any thing by tue election or sectional Presi-
dent? Rather letus ask, who has not lost Seven
of.the States of this Union have left US. Nearly
all the advantage which the carrying trade of
the South has been to US is gone. The South
market is all but lost to US. Our people are
compelled to be idle, all but those who are hunting
after Office with but poor prospect indeed for the
future. And all of this for no other cause none in
the world except the election of a sectional Presi-
dent. But for the election of Mr.. Lincoln, the
country would have been at this moment in as
prosperous condition it has been since the war
of the Revolution. There is cause known or
conjectured by anybody, but the election, which
has brought upon US our present misfortunes.