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

In proportion as the crisis grows more and more
alarming, the opponents of an extra session of the
Legislature are becoming more warm and active.
Just when decided and vigorous measures of some
sort are most generally felt TO be necessary and
inevitable, the advocates of the 'let-alone' policy
are urging its adoption with increasing vehe-
mence. They are not only well satisfied that the
best mode of preserving the Union is by making
no effort whatsoever towards that end, but they
claim to be exclusively recognized as the Union
party, and they are endeavoring, by every means
in their power to brand those who differ with
them as secessioniss. That it is only minority
of our citizens who are willing TO maintain so
equivocal position as this avoidance of all respon
sbty must place them in, wefuly believe; but that
they constitute large and influential minority,
we cannot now doubt, in view Of the fact that our
contemporary, the AMERICAN seems to have finally
thrown its weight upon that side Of the question.
After considerable hesitation, that journal, on the
9th of December, had apparently become con-
WINGED that "from the temper and feeling evinced
''at Washington" it was useless to hope for such
Concession and compromise as would ''secure
'the equality of the States and the rights Of each
''section under the Constitution" 'We have
"been Slow" it said, t'to come to this conclusion,
''but it is forced upon us in such manner that
1--WE can no longer urge inacton on the part of
maryland, - and it suggested therefore that the
GOVERNOR should carefully consider whether the
contingency has not arisen, contemplated by
''himself in which he acknowledged the duty Of
("prompt action" The American then entertained
no doubt whatever about the propriety of an extra
session, nor did its proprietors hesitate some two
weeks afterwards to unite in a call inviting
t'all citizens who think the Legislature Of Mary
''land should be at once convened" to attend a
meeting "for the purpose of requesting the Gov
"ernor to order an extra session of the Legislature
cat the earliest possible day" Now, although
the american minated, on the morning when this
call was published that the reasons by which
Governor HICKS vindicaed his inaction, in his re-
ply to Judge HANDY, were perfectly satisfactory,
we will not do so much injustice to the intelligence
of our contemporary as to suppose it was at all
affected by them. What the Governor said to
Judge HANDY was simply what he had said about
three weeks before to. Governor PRATT and Others;
and as the american insisted at one time an extra
session in spite of the objections of the Governor,
we cannot think that these identical arguments
have now brought about Its present opposition to
meeting of the Legislature. But whatever may
have been the inducements which led our neigh
Dor to shift its ground we do not desire to discuss
them Its prescriptiye privilege to change It's opn-
ions upon the shortest notice and for any or no
cause whatsoever, we do not dispute, but we do
deny Its right to speak in disparaging terms of
those with whom it was so lately acting. Consd-
ering the circumstances under which it has as
sumed its new position a less offensive tone and
less insolent insinuations would become If better
For some days past there has been a growing dis
position shown by our contemporary not merely
to take issue with, but to vilify those who are
urging this State to make some prompt and effec-
tive movement to stay the tide of revolution. Yes
terday it invited its readers to sign, at its counter
o memorial which is to convey to Gov. HICKS the