The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-10-28
MORE PREPARATIONS FOR VIOLENCE.

Nearly every recent election that has progressed without
interruption has resulted in unequvoca democratic
victory Wherever the polls kept free and the voters
permitted exercise the right Of suffrage without obstruc
ton the Of the constitution has generally prevailed
against all odds. In Virginia the open ballot and the
manly and upright department of the democratic cand
date contributed peaceful contest and uneqnaled
victory. In North Carolina after most exciting strug
GLE orderly election resulted in consummate demo-
cratic triumph In Georgia. in Alabama in Texas and in
Tennessee similar good feeling ended in similar way 1t
proper that in the city Of Memphis in the last
State where attempt made impede the progress
voting by the knownothng bues respectable citizens
both parties agreed protect the polls from violence
and the consequence tranquil election. In the north
States wherever these examples followed they have
been attended with the happes results No charges of
fraud have been alleged could be alleged where both
parties had their representatives present at the baotboxes
and where all those who citizens before the laws
erciscd their rights in the spirit of the constitution and
consistent with this the highest political duty Of civilized
man. Butin Louisville Baltimore, and other towns where
turbulence at the polls ended in riot and bloodshed the
know-nothings been able claim sanguinary vic
tory. We have seen the vast population of densey
crowded city like Philadephia-a city governed by a
know-nothing mayor and councis-peacefully going to
the polls and dscharging their duty under the laws and
declaring for democratic principles 1t is doubtless be-
such results these held up before the
knownothing leaders that they have grown desperate
Their murderous achievement at Louisville
swercd by burst of indignation from all parts of the
country and it Is not too much to say that thousands Of
honest citizens previously disposed to aid the
der severed their connexion with it the facts Of the
bloody day" became known. But has this admon-
shed the chiefains of know-nothings? Do they see
the emigration from Louisville of large body of useful
and eneprsing citizens to other parts of the Union the
fruit of the seeds they have Are they inmidated
by the secession from the old whg party Of its bril-
liant leaders, many Of whom base their withdrawal from
its ranks upon the monstrous doings Of know nothing
mobs Does the almost universal reputation of their
order in other cities and States mpe them change of
policy and to abandonment Of violence and wrong
We wish could these questions in the airma-
tive butt isapparent that in the elections yet the
dcplorabe which have referred are to be re-
enacted unless wiser counses shall prevail and unless the
notwithstanding citizens should be able by proper
MEANS to couneract the preparations in progress.
1t will be recollected that at the municipal election in
Baltimore which took place the 10th of October the
democratic party came in solid phaanx to the polls and
decided advantage their advorsaries An es-
Unable citizen of Baltimore William George Baker chosen
member Of the council in of the wards died in the
midst of the election A special election was ordered and
took place the 18th of October and the know-nothngs
smarng under the defeat which they had sustained in
peaceful conflict rushed to the polls and dsgraced tho oc
casion and the day by the most brutal con-
ceved in the worst spirit of Louisville naticsm and
crowned with the ceremonies Of death. An investigation
into this exhibits the part of the know-nothngs of
Baltimore settled and arranged purpose "apenge the
orderly triumph Of the democrats 10th Of October
and beyond controversy that they cam they win
resort to similar means for the purpose of perverng the
right of suffrage at the coming contest in Maryland
We find in that fearless democratic Journal the Bat-
more Republican and Argus report of special commit
tee appointed to examine into the outrages referred TO-
from which take the following startling passages
These allegations sustained by number of certificates
and adavs signed by many Of the respectable ct
Of the ward in which the violence took place and by
others who witnessed the proceedings the 18th of Octo
Der:
st. That prior to the election members Of the know
nothing order openly declared that tho democratic should NOT
have the chance Of voting at Ms approaching election az
they had at the last.
add That among those who
and destructive Of the rights of American citizens ono Of
the krow nothing judges of election Of the scard.
sd That persons legally entitled vote, and who did
at the election refused polls until
wsknown prominent leaders Of the know nothing party
under tho that they that ticket
osksd and by the oskg gained them permission to
vote
4h That persons clearly entitled to VOTE on erery con-
ssraso~ any others In the community deprived Of
their votes because Of imposbiy tho window
"5th That whilst tho approach to the window thus