The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-27
BALTIMORE.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 81, 1861.

The near approach of the day fixed for the OPP
Grafton OF the new Tariff only serves to increase
the camor of the New York merchants, who are
urgently demanding an extra session of Congress,
for the purpose of averting the ruin with which
their trade is threatened. The entry of goods into
Southern ports, under the low Tariff of the new
Confederacy, and their distribution from thence
through the Border and Western States, must be
very preindicial TO the commerce of New York;
but the transportation of goods up the Mississippi
entirely duty free, as is now the case with mer-
chandise not intended to he landed in the Confed-
crate States, must be ruinous to it. Even if not
allowed to be taken directly to the Western cities,
foreign goods can easily be landed anywhere
along the shores of that river, the packages
broken, and then re-shpped and conveyed 10 all
the large towns of the West not only freed from
the imposition of any duty, but at cheaper cost
than by rail from New York; thus entirely shut
ting her out from all hope of competition.
AS the Administration appears to be unable TO
determine upon any line of policy, and seems TO
have but one fixed principle, which is to do moth
ing at all, it is becoming very doubtful if, for the
present at least it wagree TO the call of an extra
session. AS the present deplorable condition of
the manufacturing interests of the country is
quite as deserving of consideration and relief as
the depressed state of the importing trade of New
York, we would suggest to the New Workers
plan by which they would not only benefit them
selves, but essentially aid and promote the
welfare Of our manufacturing population
Instead of insisting upon the call of an
extra session of Congress, let them bend
tl,o,. ~
conclude an armistce with the Southern Republic
for fixed time-say till the Resembling of the
next Congress-on condition that during this Pc
riod the products and manufactures of both Sec
tons of the country shall be allowed to pass from
one to the other, duty free. If the Administration
can grant an armistice for day or II week, or
even longer, as it is said they have done, they
certainly have the same right to continue it until
December next. And if they really believe in the
strength of the UNION party in tie Southern Con-
federacy, such action on their part would do more
to strengthen and consolidate it, than any course
they could possibly pursue. The Southern States,
on the other hand, would have full time TO try
fairly the workings of their new Government, and
any disappointment and discomfort among its
supporters would only tend TO swell the ranks of
the UNION men, and rally them more strongly in
support of the Federal Government
The great difficulty in the way of such an ar
rangement is that the South would possibly refuse
to agree to truce on any such TERMS but when we
consider THAT she requires time to open a direct
trade with Europe to locate her centres of business
and develop and increase her manufactures, and
more especially when we reflect that such an ar
rangement would at once remove all obstacles 10
the establishment of their commercial rela-
tons with foreign powers, we are led to the
conclusion that neither the bitter feelings engen-
dered by sectional strife, nor the loss of the
revenue consequent upon such an arrange
ment would be permitted to outweigh its
many manifest advantages. In such an event
the trade Of New York would, in a great
measure, be restored; goods not required
Tor the North or the West could remain in
Warehouse to be shipped South when required,
without paying duty at New York, and Southern
merchants finding it either necessary or convent
ent, would avail themselves as formerly of North
ern capital. Some plan could be devised by
which the entry of goods at Charleston, Savannah
or Mobile, other than those required for Southern
consumption, might be made subject 10 the prov-
sions of our own tariff; and even if this could not
be effected, the greatest evil of all the importation
goods into the Mississippi entirely free of duty
could at least De avoided. These purposes can
only be accomplished by having the cooperation
OF the Southern Republic. Certainly so long as
we are in open antagonism with them, no reme-
dies for these evils can be hoped for. The ad-
vantages to the manufacturing interests of
the country scarcely need comment. Conf
dence restored, demand would once more
would again find occupation. Trade would soon
flow largely into its old channels. Harmony
would be restored between the now hostile sec
tons, and the dissatisfaction and discomfort,
which the Republican journals assert are daily
becoming more loud in the Southern Confederacy,
would, if they exist, soon manifest themselves
so strongly that the Administration would
be authorized in adopting the most decisive
measures; or the contrary would be the
case, and the latter would be convinced of
the hopeessness and futility of any such policy.
Eight months, at best, is but short period in the
history of nation, and nothing could be lost
that would not be a thousand fold repaid by the
blessings of peace and return of prosperity. Be-
fore the expiration of the time the elections of the
country would show the feelings of the people,
and the Administration would know, at least
what it is now very doubtful about--to what ex-
tent it could count upon the nation for support in
thn nfta - r