The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-02
[FROM Il CORRESPONDENT IN THE
SOUTH

[FRON Il CORRESPONDENT IN THE
SOUTH
ALABAMA, Dec. 26, 1860.
Your valuable paper has done such good service
in the of the Constitution and the Union that
venture to hope that few lines devoted to the
correction of false impressions injurious to that
cause, may not be deemed unworthy of place in
your columns. Papers both in Maryland and Vir-
ginia, which should be better informed continual
ly repeat the charge that the secession movement
is only for the renewal of the African slave
trade. We expect such libel from Amos Kendall,
the New y ork Times, and the Hon. II. j. RAYMOND.
Coming from them, we consider it worthy of its
source, and unworthy of our notice. But we cannot
be indifferent to the circulation of such SANDER
among our brethren of the border States. | tell
you that which | know when | declare that the
number of those faYoring that trade in Alabama is
quite insignificant. So strong is popular feeling in
opposition, that no politician would dare to advo-
cate the traffic. The subject was fully discussed
some years since, in all its bearings-moral, econ
omical, social and political-and upon all the
counts the verdict of public opinion was over
whelmingly against the trade In Alabama the
question is considered as settled irreversibly. be-
lieve it is no ess so in the other Gulf States Since
the defeat, by two-third's vote, of Mr.. Spratt's
motion in the South Carolina Legislature the mat
ter is regarded by all as finally set at rest.
Yesterdays election is believed to have resulted
in the triumph of the ''sraight-0ut SECESSION party
by large majority. Dissolution seems inevitable
If the Union is to be saved, its salvation must come
from the North SO far, see no indication that
the Republicans will consent to give us our rights
under the Constitution, without which even the
most conservative here are unwilling to remain in
the Union. Upon this point, Alabama is unit. |
quite agree with you, that the best chance of saw
ing the Union has been lost by the strange supne-
ness of the border States. But even now, it naay
not be too late if they will act at once. Let them
speak out, and their voice must and will be heard.
Let them offer Cochranes, or even Crittenden's,
the understanding that its rejection will compel
them to make common cause with the seeding
States, and all may yet be well. The fifteen
Southern States could be united upon such an issue
and could hardly fail-aided they would be BY
the reaction setting in at the North-to restablish
the Union of our glorious Constitution more firmly
than ever Upon such an issue, the "cn-operation;'
minority of every Southern Convention-South
Carolina excepted, of course--Woud soon become
the majority. A large majority Of the people are
for the Union, II 1t can be preserved honorablv and
safely. But il the North should reject such reason
able terms, the conservative portion of the South
to which portion | am proud to belong-woud still
cherish the hope OF Reconstruction. If we are al
lowed to separate in peace, the tendencies to re-
union will be too strong to be long resisted. But
there must be not even threat of coercion. That
would ruin all Rash and wrong as some of us
consider the action of South Carolina, one drop of
her blood shed would rally our whole population to
her support. Our railroads would not be able to
carry all who would offer themselves.
SUpsrpIprp Az