The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-06

On tHe uty Ot Tue ARRAY Det"een lne people OF
Baltimore and the Massachusetts, soldiers, the
American put forth in its evening edition a brief
editorial appeal to this community, urging it to
unity and action. Contrary to its invariable Gus
it neglected to insert its afternoon LAMENTATIONS in
its issue of the following morning, when, though it
still discoursed of the necessity for united action
it did so in a much less decided strain.
We were surprised at this omission, and
suspected its cause. We felt assured that
our contemporary had suppressed its patriotic
ebulliion Fof the previous evening until it could
determine the probable strength and direction of
the popular storm which was then raging. 1t was
hesitating, we thought merely because off nat
ural indisposition to spread its sails on
course unless the breeze was both favorable and
as steady as a trade-wind. But until we saw the
series of articles which appeared in the american
last week, we did not suppose that it intended to
repudiate altogether its editorial OF the afternoon
of the 10Th ut., and its suggestions of the ensuing
day. In order that our readers may contrast the
opposing views thrown out by that journal within
the brief period of ten days, repubish the arti-
Gle in question. 1t is perhaps unnecessary to do
this, as, judging from the american statements,
We might reasonably presume that all the citizens
of the United States have within the few past
months frantically rushed forward to subscribe
to that valuable paper, but there may be
possibly some one or two people whom it does
not yet reach and we would like even these to see
what counsel the American gave the public on the
afternoon of the 10th of April. Its article, por-
ton of which we itacize, ran as follows
''LET Us UNITE.
The results Of tS morning must determine tie position
Of all men. We must agree man. first secure
the re-esablishment of harmony among ourselves and
all then 3otn in agtdterer measures may be determined
upon. Whatever differences may have yet exist
the blood of citizens shed in rressti
BILE appeal to us all TO anite MdryldnderS, meet
about
There be no di6fculty now in the Governor, the
Mayor and the Police authorities from together cOncerting
those measures 1ch1ch are necessary 10 the public Safely
Let US first seek unity among ourselves, then act
In such crisis this all other considerations must give
way to our duty towards one another and to the State
and City.'
On the 10Th of April then the american was
satisfied that the position of every man in the COM
munity had been determined by the events of that
bloody day. There was to be no more division:
there was to be no longer any wavering. The
safety of the Capital and the interests of the Ad-
ministraton were not to be the chief objects of
our solicitude, but we were to ''unite as Mary
landers,'' and TO take care Of our own ''responsi-
bities." TWAS, we were told, impossible, that
that in such an emergency any difficulty could
prevent the Governor, the Mayor and the Police
authorities from concerning measures necessary
''to the public safety' The UNION was absolute
ly ignored, and we were reminded that call other
considerations" should give way to our duty to-
wards Zone another" to ''the State" and to "the
City" What the American then thought of such
measures the authorities were contemplating,
may be inferred from the fact that on the morning
of the 20th it assured its readers that the 'ilita-
:" GE t4ff Gt Hitli were doing 'their acoe
duty to protect the peace of the city, and to pre-
rent any more troops from tie North from passiaq
oar dorders." The italics here also are ours
The authorities conscious of the fearful ''re-
sponsibilities" resting upon them, realizing the
imminency of the dangers which threatened "the
public safety and recognizing their duty ''as Ma
rylanders' to prevent any further scene of car
mage in our streets. did ''then act" They did
allow call other considerations to give way to
the necessity o. protecting the Estate and City,
and the Governor, the Mayor and the Police au-
thorities" all concurred in the expediency of rem
dering the bridges impossible to the approaching
troops: and gave orders accordingly. Not one
word more of counsel or of comment did the
american utter for one whole week Then it
found that travellers We're complaining; that
many merchants and tradesmen were dissat-
isfed; that the North was threatening;
that its old political associates were dis
posed to make capital out of the Extraordinary
land arbitrary" proceedings of the Police Board:
and believing that the tide was about turning, it
suddenly veered round also 1t thought it saw
symptoms of what it called t'return of reason:''
and as its ideas of a rational course consist in
swimming with the popular current, it began to
strike out vigorously. 1t assailed the authorities
on every imaginable ground. 1t denounced their
traduced their motives, and msrepre-
scented their acts. 1t set up a terrific clamor be-
cause obstacles had been interposed ''to the
"efforts of the authorities of OUR COUNTRY at self
forgetting that it had said it was
our duty to prevent the passage of Northern troops
through Baltimore. 1t resorted to every artifce,
and to all the cap-trap that seemed likely to serve
its purpose. 1t sought to render the authorities
odious because they ordered the American flag,
together with all others, to be withdrawn from
the streets, and it instigated disorder by landing
The patriotism of the officers who refused to obey
The orders of the Police Board. Further comment
on this pitiable specimen of tergiversation is
needless. After such an exhibition of pusillaui-
nous Inconsistency, the american ought to know
what sort of response to expect when it again says
to the community 'Get us unite"
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