The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-02-27

"seem TO be exceedingly thin and airy" and who
appeared to regard the Federal relation as 'no
Irregular marriage, but rather sort of 'free.lo7e'
arrangement, to be maintained by passional at
TRACTION" Al Columbus, on the following day,
he gravely assured the members of the Ohio Legis-
lature that our national troubles "merelyr arose
out of IA difference Of opinion" and that "noth-
ling is going wrong-nobody is really hurt"
and nobody is suffering anything" By the
time he reached Pittsburg he discovered that
the condition of the country is an extraordinary
'one, and fills the mind of every patriot with
anxiety and solicitude'' but by strange con-
tradicton in terms he, at the same time, coolly
announced that-'there is really no crisis. except
ing an artificial one; such as may be gotten up
at any time by turbulent men, aided by design
ing politicians" At Cleveland, he again con-
tended that, ''the crisis is wholly artificial, and
has no foundation in fact" In less than twenty
four hours, subsequently, we find him assuring
the people Of Buffalo that the difficulties which
distract the country fare wholly without pre-
cedent," and are not to be overcome "without
divine assistance" Two days later be reaches
Albany, and there informs the members of the
New York Legislature that it would be i'm
proper for him to state what line of policy
the incoming administration would adopt as ii is
essential Il should see and hear everything, and
shave every light, that can be brought within
''reach," before deciding upon the course
proper to be pursued. In his speech at New
York, be expressed similar sentiments At Tren.
ton his reserve broke down again, and he fore
Swallowed, "as in glass darkly,' the evils which
he presumed would follow his ina uguration into
Office. 81 fear," said be, 1--WE shall have to put
1.-THE foot down firmly-and, having put the foot
"down, to stand firmly upon it," Philadelphia
was the next stopping place. In reply to the
remarks of Mayor Henry, on the caamitous con-
dition of the country, Mr.. LINCOLN declared he
felt justified in re asserting from the fact that no
one complained of being injured, 'that the crisis
1.-THE panic, the anxiety of the country, at this
"time, were ali artificial" The following day.
whilst standing in front of Independence Hall.
he boldly said that ''the sentiment embodied in
".he Declaration of Independence gave liberty,
mot alone to the people of this country, but
''to the people of the whole world for all future
slime. 1t was that principle which gave prom
Use that, In due time, the weights should be
lifted from the shoulders of all men. If this
country cannot be saved without giving up
'that principle, would rather be assasinated on
''the spot than surrender it." Immediately af-
forwards lie added-'T may have said something
''indiscreet, but have said nothing I am not
'willing to live by and die by" Lastly.
at harrisburg, he Contemplated, but not
with any pleasure, the possibility that a
NECESSITY may arise in this country for
''the use of the military arm" He thought
however, Sin the present aspect of affairs
"there need be no bloodshed or war, and pledged
himself, if so painful result should occur. it
should not be through any fault of his that it was
brought about We have thus followed Mr.. LIN
COLIN, step by step, from indianapolis to Harris
burg, and have impartially reproduced the princi-
pal points embraced in the speeches which were
made by him at various places along the line of
route. 1t will be seen that they all look forward
TO but one issue-that of coercion-the speech at
Indianapolis being the keynote of the series.
What influence his ignoble escapade from Harris
burg, 0ia Philadelphia, to Washington, may have
had upon the views previously expressed by him.
we have no means of ascertanng If, however
change came over 'the spirit ofhis dreamn dur
ing that most singular and unaccountable night
ride; if while traversing, in the darkness the soil
of Maryland, the solitary tenant of the upper
shelf of sleeping car carefully reyoved in his
mind the consequences that would inevitably re-
suit from rejection of those measures of concilia-
ton which constitute the only remaining means
of saving the UNION from disintegration; and if
actuated by those better impulses he is now will
ing to join with the conservative members of his
own party, and with loyal men of every shade of
politics, in the attempt to regain-if it be not al
ready too late-the rapidly waning confidence Of
the South, we shall be rejoced even at this tardy
recognition of the perilous nature os the crisis
and shall watch the practical working of his
milder, and, therefore, wiser programme with
uneigned interest