The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-08-07
BALTIMORE.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST I, 1851


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 a usurpation. General
BANKs vouchsafed the public no further inorma-
ton on the point; but the hmerican some ten
DAYS afterwards, announced that Mr.. DODGE and
Mr.. DODGE Deputy were ;'asssted 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 names 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 strenuously 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 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 iliegaI--as dsgraceful to all con-
cern.d in it rs it is obnoxious to ninetenths of the
people of tnis city. But on the other hand we
have been equally at a loss to understand how
honorable citizens could consent TO remain for
twenty-our hours in the position in which the Amer
had placed them unless the report of the latter
was true, and we 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 lcr9 lie any difference of opinion in
this community concerning The measure Of the
tln obarc Of lad
Board have incurred, nor can any one ever aver
that the odiun which will henceforth 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 Adminstra-
ton in these unhappy times, we venture to assert
that there will be in the future no dispute about
the unjustihable, unnecessary and atrocous 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 avoWed revolt against the Government
Congress and the President combined
could only resort to constitutional means
to reduce it 10 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 'dissatisfed" people than
they have 10 establish a limited monarchy.
What Congress and the President cannot do
together, he cannot do by himself; and if tits
not permitted to the whole government to adopt
arbitrary and illegal measures 10 put down re-
belllon, 1t is surely still more indefensble out
rage for MIR, LINCOLN to resort TO coercve system
which is in fragrant and paIpabe 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-
ceedings which he has authorized in this CITY.
But Maryland has NOT rArn!ted aeni,-s A. g.
eral Government. Her representatives in the
Legislature have taken no such step, and not one
in 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-
stitution in order to check a 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 are 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 a tyraut the instant that he
oversteps the law-and constitutional government
perishes the moment that the charter from which
1t derives existence is destroyed or dsregarded.
All this Mr.. LINCOLN and his agents know fall
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 partisans of the
Administration desire to do something more than
merely 'enforce the laws, and it is for that rea
son that they have resorted to despotic measures
in this State. They wish TO crush out all leeiti-
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.. LIycoINs
faction-and, as they could not legally accomplish
these ends, they have, under the fimsy pretext of
,IoJ
liberties of Ibis people under foot
Such is the despotism which has been set I'D
over US, and such are its objects. Its authors are
If course, already known to the citizens of Balti.
nore who now desire to learn, also, what men
lave here consented to be the instruments in car
ying out the nefaiious schemes o. the Admins |
ration. Who among US has acquiesced in the |
humiliation of has native State-who has sapc-
Toned the violation Of her laws-who has advised
ne imprisonment of her citizens-who has assist
Ia deposing her public oficers-who has helped |
hasten upon US despotsm than which none
''fe infamous has ever existed upon this CONT
vi" lhese are inquiries which the people are
ow making, and to which they will one dav
ave explicit ana satisfactory replies. But among
hose who have incurred the just and epdnr;n,
sentiment of every right-minded man in this COM
unity none have more to answer for than those
Tho are responsible for the suppression of the
olice and the creation of the force which now,
trough the aid of the army, holds dominion
yer US. The individuals who advised that mea-
ire or who have helped to consummate it, have
lderstood, as well as any men in this commu-
ty, the Ubiquitous character of the proceeding
hich they sanctioned. They know that they
i've trampled upon the rights of their fellow
uzens-that they have violated the laws of Ma
land-that they have stricken traitorous blow
constitutional government in the State which
iouio have been foremost TO defend If They
no" that they have assisted To 6,s,en uno, nc
N' not yet as brutal and as
80 9. ie"'., DIS desricable aud as tyranni
II 90 Aas "nien nobEspiERE once directed The :
'ople OF Baltimore, therefore, desire tn ,aa,, -, ,
e the reponsible agents here who exao,-...I /
oltrary DEGREES of the Federal Governmant
hey have right to know; and in their name, | I
ask the question. Do the gentlemen who were
entioned in the american constitute what it
'iled the "advisory boardY' If so, let them
Iow or disavow responsibility for the acts by
nlch the people of this city have been insulted
Id outraged. If they are deriving advantages
om the usurpations of the Government, let them :
30 manfully take the risk of the reribution and i
e shame which may, possibly, one day overtake t
tn the authors and the instruments of the des- ,
tism which now enthrals us. Il
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