The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-21

answers. Up to this moment the
"Union SITS" have vouchsaied US no explicit and
direct replies upon these points. They continue TO
cry ''peace, peace-when there is no peace"
They are defining ''segiance'' and discussing the
nature of 'loyalty" They are demonstrating the
illegality of secession, and pointing out the ad-
vantages of neutrality. They grow maudln over
"reminiscences of the past, and melancholy over
the prospects of the future. But meanwhile,
whittier are we tending? The UNION is al
ready dissolved; new, powerful and unconquer-
able Confederacy exists south of the Potomac;
and the fate of Maryland, which stands du-
biously between the hostile nations is ahou'
to be decided With these facts we are called
upon 10 deal. Shall we under such circumstances
entrust our interests our rights ard our honor to
the hands of those who are tmidly and hesitating-
~ stumbling forward they know not whittier, or
shall We call TO our aid those who have some
clear conceptions of the difficulties of our situa-
ton, and who have some definite policy TO propose
and do not shrink from mourning responsibility,
and if need be danger? We are even now sub
iugated, and unless we set manfully about the
work of our own redemption, the temporary dom
ination which presses so heavily upon us will
fasen itself upon us for all coming time in utter
disregard Of our wishes or interests. If we are
poweress let us not at least be any longer blind
10 the character of the events which are tran
spring around us or to the direction in which
they are hurrying us. Let us, if we still hope to
have voice in determining our own destinies,
| insist upon knowing what are the views and pur-
poses of those who would direct course. We
ask therefore now, rs we have done repeatedly
heretofore that the ''Unonists' shall deal fairly
and frankly with the people. We desire to I'M
derstand whether they still hope TO preserve or
reconstruct the UNION, and ifso how they propose
to set aboutit? Do they Relieve after all they
have seen in the past six months and especially
since the feeling lately manifested in the North,
that its people or the Administration can be in
duced to offer, at our solicitation, any terms OF
compromise whatsoever TO the South which would
restore the old connection between the two sec
tons? Do they imagine that the South would
now accept any of the measures of conciliaton
which it once vainly asked for, and that it would
undo all that it has lately done and dissolve the
| Government it has organized2 DO they suppose
that the armies and navies of the North can restore
harmonious relations between the free and slave
| States and again compel the people of both sec
| tions 10 unite as brethren and citizens Of COM
mon country? Surely it is absolutely incumbent
on the "Unonists" to speak out upon these points;
and if they have no reasonable expectation
of preserving the UNION, they are bound tc
be equally explicit in regard to the action which
Maryland should take i'll contemplation of the dis.
solution of the Contederacy. Do they desire Mary
land, in such case, to abide with the Northern
States? There are honest men who think her duty
and her interest should prompt her to do so, but
no man is honest who, in this emergency, enter
| tains these convictions and fears, or hestates to
| express them. We have the right to know the
sentiments of every individual who undertakes to
influence the future fortunes of this State and It's
people. We DO not want to be jugged into one
| Confederacy more than into the other; and it is
because we see that it is the hope of many
'Unionists' to trick us into lasting alliance with
the North that we thus continually challenge a
declaration of their opinions and objects. We
know that portion Of that party, under the DC
| lusive cry of "UNIoN," s'UM0N," would lead us
unconsciously into the new Northern Confedcracy
which is to be, and we warn all to beware Of
these false counscllors,
''That palter with us in a double sense;
That keep the word of promise to ear,
And break it to our hope"
Let the people insist upon having a full and
candid explanation of his opinions from every man
who asks their confidence, or they MAJ find, when
it is too late, that they have lost the power to
troll or influence their own destinies. Maryland
must not drift to any destination towards which
the strongest current Of the hOur may incline her
Her fate should be calmly and resoluely deter
mined by her people. Their right to DO this is
unquestionable, and we trust they will persist
emily claim it; and, if need be, courageousy fight
for it, even though they should have to wreste
with naked hands with the bayonets which would
pin down their State as a conquered province
upon the map of any Confederacy. If they would
not waive or lose this right, let them be careful
not to follow the lead of any man or party with
out knowing precisely where the path they are in
Wiz Jake them.