The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-17

For some months past, the public has been evil
IDENTITY perplexed by the strange and shifting
phases which political affairs have, during that
period, assumed. So startling and unprecedented
has been the character of recent events. and so
rapidly have these succeeded one another that tho
great mass of the people have been swept far
away from the old familiar landmarks to which
they once looked for guidance in any unforeseen
emergency. Instead, therefore, of being divided
upon some one distinct and all-important issua
the citizens of this section of the country have
been dsputing about hundred minor points unon
~licn 'hey nave respectively supposed the present
controversy hinged. Thus they have not only
cone nothing, but they have frittered away their
influence and their opportunities for GOOD vb;1e
engaged IN this vain effort to discover what the
real question was which they were expected to de-
''"7' Now however, change in this respect is
apparent. Public sentiment and opinion have
oesuh 10 concentrate upon one leadino issue in
regard TO which the inhabitants Of this If NOT of
olher Border States, will soon be divided into tyo
wei defined, though, perhaps, UNEQUAL parties
oh Inc one side will stand those who are in favor
Vi supporting, Internationally, the Administra-
uoh Oh Mr. LINCOLN on the other will be srraved
'l0se VINO demand from the Federal Government
some guarantees COR the protection of tbo son,l,
and who, failing to obtain these, arc raad,, -
Sn"o the fortunes OF the seeded States. The
iO'NieF AYERS mat the South has no Just cause of
qu"rrei with the North, and that it needs M f,r-
lher securities for the preservation of its rio.t.
Whlle the latter insists that the Soptb has oIrooz-
oeeh over-patent of insult and aggression and
'' II mas the amplest grounds for believino, tho,
'peeuy ana certain ruin await it un1ess II
S"hds now upon the defensive. These arc tho
questons which we now called unon to 6a,or-
mine. The struggle is now narrowed dor, -
this. Shall the people of the Border States in
view OF the acts of the party of which Mr. I'M
COLIN is the head and of the spirit which he and II
have always manifested, relinquish their demands
LOT any further concessions or compromises, and
sustain The Administration while it strives 70
quench in blood the revolution in the South. or
Shall they plainly declare the cause of the slave
States to be just one, and manfully abide the
consequences? We need scarcely saw where ON,
position is in this contest, nor where, in orr udo-
ment, should be that of the State of MARYLAND
We do conscientiously believe that the anti-sIo
very fanaticism which elected Mr. LINCOLN is han,
upon assailing and subverting, sooner or later
our domestic institutions and that it selected him
for the Presidency solely because of his arden
sympathy with its hopes and purposes: ant
we feel well assured that the Republica,
party would accord us but brief resnir
from aggression after it found itself relieve,
from all further difficulty with the Conf.
crate States. We have heretofore endeavored
frequently and at length, TO satisfy our readers @
the validity of the reasons which have led us +
these conclusions. We have referred them to th
language of nearly all the prominent members G
the Republican party, and TO the unconstiutiona
doctrines and las ess acts Which they have, fror
time to Time encouraged or applauded; and tn
instances thus cited should have suffced, W
lnlnk, 10 prove to any people not smtten witt
judicial blindness, the extreme and uncompro
missing Character of those who now WELD the in
huence and power OF the Federal Government
But If any man has desired further proae 10 sat
isfy him upon this point the course Of Ills Admin
istration has surely furnished it.
Against the election of Mr.. LINCOLN the Soutl
united in an earnest protest. Its people were not
as has been falsely alleged hostile to him becaus,
he was Northern man, but they demonstrated
against and resisted his election to the Presidency
solely on account of the principles which he had
aVowed, and which were destructive of their fun.
oamental rights. After his election the represen-
@'ives Oh tne slave States frankly expressed in
Congress the fears and approximations which were