The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-07
BALTIMORE.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1861.


Police of this city, he acted, he said, on ''tbe
suggestion and advice of very many influential
"and honorable citizens of Baltimore" The
community being naturally DESTROYS to know to
whom it was indebted for the arbitrary protec-
torate which the military commander at Fort
McHenry had seen fit to establish over us, waited,
with considerable anxiety, for the names of the
Honorable citizens'' who had countenanced so
infamous and unparalleled usurpation. General
BANKS youchsafed the public no further informa-
ton on the point; but the american, some ten
days afterwards, announced that Mr.. DODGE and
Mr.. DoDGE's Deputy were 'assisted in their duties
"by an advisory board" of which the members
were Messrs. COLUMBUS O'DoNNELL, ARCHIBALD
STIRLING, ST., THOMAS KELso, JOHN W. RANDOLPH,
PETER SAUERwEIN, JNo. B. SEIDENsTRIcKER, JOSEPH
ROBERTS and MICHAEL WARNER. Subsequently,
the press of this city added to these that of
Mr.. Ben. DEFoRD. Although we had every reason
to suppose that the American had full knowledge
of all the details of the disreputable business
which it so strcnuously defends, we were unable,
in this instance 10 attach to its statement that full
credit which circumstances seemed to warrant.
We were unable to believe, that gentlemen, as
intelligent as those above named would have sane
toned and still less have actively participated in
proceeding which they must know to be as outra-
geous as it is illegaI-as disgraceful 10 all con-
cern.d in it ss it is obnoxious to nne-enths of the
people Of this city. But on the other hand we
have been equally at a loss to understand how
honorable citizens" could consent 10 remain for
twenty-four hours in the position in which heAmer-
ican had placed them unless the report Of the latter
was true, and have therefore been almost forced
to the conclusion that they are really the advisers
and abettors of NJ. DODGE. Now, if this be so,
there cannot lcrG le any difference of opinion in
this community concerning the measure Of the
responsibility which the members of this so-called
Board have incurred, nor can any one ever aver
that the odiun which will henceforh inevitably
gather round their names is too heavy or unde-
served
Whatever questions may continue to divide men
In regard to the general course of the Adminisra-
ton in these unhappy times, we venture to assert
that there will be in the future no dispute about
the unjustifable unnecessary and atrocious char
acter of the tyranny which has been exercised
over the people of Maryland. The case is fortu-
nately too clear for any dispassionate mind to
doubt about it long. If this State was in open
and ayowed revolt against the Government.
Congress and the President combined
could only resort to constitutional means
to reduce it TO obedience. This proposition
is too plain for argument If the Constitution
cannot be maintained by the exertion of the
legitimate powers confded to the Federal authori-
ties, the latter have no more right TO force
dictatorship upon the "dissatsfedn people than
they have 10 establish a limited monarchy.
What Congress and the President cannot do
together, he cannot do by himself; and If it's
not permitted TO the whole government to adopt
arbitrary and illegal measures 10 put down re-
belllon, 1t is surely still more indefensible out
rage Tor Mr. LINCOLN to resort 10 cOercive system
which Is in fragrant and palpable violation of the
fundamental laws of the land Not even then. in
the case Of an open instruction on the part of
this State could the President, or the President
Cabinet and Congress together, justify, on any
plea whatsoever, the lawless and outrageous pro-
eeedings which be has authorized in this CITY.
But Maryland has not rnrn'ted ayn"-s A. g.
eral Government. Her representatives in the
Legislature have taken no such step, and not one
in a thousand of her people is believed 10 have
committed within her borders any unlawful act
against the Federal Government. If, then Mr..
LINCOLN could not overstep the limits of the Con-
sttution in order to check revolution, on what
conceivable pretence can he abrogate the laws for
the purpose Of countervailing treason, even if it
be conceded that every third man here is about to
perpetrate it? He has no more right to take into
his hands the punishment of an offender, or to
compel any man, by arbitrary and illegal pro-
ceedings, TO answer for any real or supposed
crime than he has to burn murderer at the
stake or to break an incendiary on the wheel.
The laws provide the mode in which those who
violate them to be called to account, and they
point out the process by which every offence, from
secret conspiracy to open violence can be reached
and dealt with; and under no conceivable state of
circumstances can Mr.. LINCOLN rightfully venture
to substitute his will for the statutes of the land.
The Constitution which confers power on him
guarantees rights to other men-the laws which
clothe him with authority to govern, provide pro-
lection for every citizen against oppression. The
President becomes tyrant the instant that he
oversteps the law-and constitutional government
perishes the moment that the charter from which
1t derives existence is destroyed or disregarded.
All this Mr.. LINCOLN and his agents know full
well; and they know, moreover, that the powers
conferred upon the Executive by the laws and the
Constitution are ample for the purposes for which
they were given him. But the partsans of the
Administration desire to do something more than
merely 'enforce the laws" and it is for that rea
son that they lave resorted to despotc measures
Mate NAV -iph 10.
mate opposition here to the policy of the Govern
ment-they desire 10 suppress all public opinion
that is at variance with the views of Mr.. LIycorNs
faction-and, as they could not legally accomplish
these ends they have, under the fiimsy pretext of
military necessity" trampled the rights and
liberties of this people under foot
Such IS the despotism which has been set IN
over US, and such are its Objects Its authors are,
Of course already known to the citizens of Bali.
nore' VINO now desire to learn, also, what men
nave here consented to be the instruments in car
ylng out the nefaiious schemes o. the Admins |
ration. Who among US has acquiesced in the |
of hs native State-who has sanc-
loned the violation Of her laws-who has ad vised |
ne imprisonment of her citizens-who has assist. |
u ID oepoSing her public officers-who has heped |
U hasten upon US despotism than which none
lufe infamous has ever existed upon this CONT
'eu" Ihese are inquiries which the peonle are
low making, and to which thew will ono dow
ave explicit and satisfactory replies. But among
nose who have incurred the just and epdnrine
sentiment of every right-minded man in this com.
1unity none have more to answer for than those
Tho are responsible for the suppression of the
ollce and the creation of the force which now.
trough the aid Of the ermy, holds dominion |
yer u.s. The individuals who advised that mea-
ire, or who have helped to consummate it, have
as well as any men in this commu-
lty, the Ubiquitous character of the proceeding
men they sanctioned. They know that they
ave trarnpled upon the rights of their fellow
'Hzehs-tnat they have violated the laws of Ma
yiand-that they have stricken trsitorous blow
- 'u'iohai government in the State which
$50 nave been foremost to defend it. They
.1"' 'ney have assisted to faslen upon ms a
which, not yet as brutal and no {
loouy, Is al least, as despicable and 90 t,ru;
II as that which RoBEspIEaE once d;ro,.os M,
sople OF Baltimore, therefore, desire to laar,
re the reponsible agents here who exaor,o ~ /
,oltrary DEGREES of the Federal Governmo,,.
hey have a right to know; and in their name. | t
e ask the question. Do the gentlemen who were !
IN the american constitute what it
'iieo the advisory board ~ If so, let them
VOW OF disavow responsibility for the acts by ,
.ne people OF this city have been insulted {
~ outraged II they are deriving advantages !
u" VIC usurpauohs OF the Government. LET then, s.