The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-03

II the UNION, rs we have known and loved 1t,
is to cease honceforh to exist, and two Confeder-
aces are to he established between which the Ohio
will be the dividing line, we hold that the people
of Maryland have the indisputabIe right to deter
mine which Of the two new Governments shall
rule over them. BY the withdrawal of the States
South of the Potomac, and the organization of
permanent aud independent Government, which
will exercise sovereign sway over the whole re-
gon between that river and the Gulf, the UNION
to which Maryland plighted her allegiance will
have utterly persisted, and she will be then enti-
tied 20 enter into such new political association as
may best promote her own views and interests.
But it is said that we are not to be suffered to
decide our own destines The North has distinctly
and repeatedly ayowed its purpose to take aud hold
Maryland, because it lies between that section
and Washington. Although it is admitted, that
in case Of q dissolution of the Confedcracy the
Federal Capital must speedily be removed from
the banks Of the Potomac, the Northern people
intend to crafty their pride by keeping the seat
of government for little while longer at the
point where il is now located, and for this selfish
object they will not scrupe to sacrifice forever the
interests Of Maryland, and to disregard the wishes
of her people. Fortunately, however, we are not
to be managed quite as easily as the North so
prcsumptuously supposes. We are not absolutely
at its mercy for al time TO come and the sooner
it recognizes the fact the better for all parties
brave and determined people, of whom one hun
dred thousand are capable Of bearing arms, are
not to be sighted with impunity, nor 10 be hand
ed over without their consent TO the domination
Of any government or section Whatsoever If
we are bat true to ourselves, we can still be the
masters Of our own fortunes. If we shall deter
mine that 1t is to our advantage as well as to our
inclination, to join ourselves 10 the Southern
Coufederacy, nothing can long prevent US from
doing so but our own snpineness or tmidity. AS
the allies Of the South, the Southern people would
be bound to consider our cause their cause, and
they would make no peace with their antagonists
unless our rights were recognized and our will
was respected. Until the impossible task of SUBJ
jugating the South was performed the North
could not permanently hold Maryland in
subsection. But it is said that the people
of the free States are in a position to com
pei US to accept whatever terms they may choose
10 dictate-lhat they can send powerful fleets into
cur waters, and immense bodies of troops into
our territory, ard that the South is in no condi-
ton TO afford us immediate aid Admit this.
and what then? Are we, therefore, to Weld to
absolute despair, TO abandon our rights, and fling
ourselves in ahject submission at the feet of our
conquerors? Suppose that large army is con-
cen trated in " ashington, and an overwhelming
force poGrs down across our northern border. and
that we have neither the arms nor the orraniza-
ton to resist them. Suppose that large garrisons
OF strange soldiers are stationed within short dis
tances of each other throughout the Stale. Not
even in such case will the people of MARYLAND. if
we Judge them Alright, reliDquish their claim to
h" the arbitsEs of thor own fate Or ahata
time. We can afford to wait longer than the
hostile squadrons who may surround u.s. No
nation can hold Maryland as Austria holds
Venice. We need make no unavailing struggle.
We ought not to enter upon any contest should
the odds be palpahy and heavily against u.s.
But although forced 10 remain inactive we could
no. be compelled to surrender the dearest privilege
of freemen. Patiently, calmly and resolutely, we
would continue to assert our right and the hour
would inevitably come when they would be con-
ceded TO us, or it would bring US the opportunity
to win them back
Heaven forbid that we should be reduced 10 the
sad necessity Of taking up arms even in defence OF
our liberties. We want no deadly controversy
with any people, and least of all with those Of
kindred blood. But we DO insist that, ifthis Con-
federacy is to be dissolved, and that through nc
fault Or wish of ours and if the States on the one
side of the Potomac are TO separate from those OF
the Other the right of Maryland, in that event, tc
say where she will cast her lot cannot fairly be
gainsaid. And we do earnestly trust that he,
sons will maintain that right with % zeal and
courage worthy of their old renown