The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-10-31
Your obedient servant,
THOMAS SWAMI, Mayor
PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF u,Rv1,

PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND
/, I. Watkins iigon, Governor of the State of
Maryland. hereby make this proclamation to the
citizens of BALTIMORE
Having been credibly informed by a large and
respectable number of citizens of Baltimore that
serious apprehension7 are entertained that the ap-
proaching general election is threatened with *.
treme violence and disorder in this city sufficient
TO tcrrify and keep away from the polls many
peace1hle voters. Unless the civil arm Is vigorously
uterpOsed for their projections: and being fully
convinced OF the justness Of this apprehension
from the events Of the election of 1856 and of the
recent municipal election in the city, have felt il
my duty to repair to this city to fulfill nv con.
stitutional obligations to afford to the citizens the
faithful observance of tho laws Accordingly |
Rave addressed The Mayor of the city and solicited
his cooperation IN adequate measures for the pro
tocton ot the peace the city. So farI have re.
ceived no satisfactory response, and being resolved
to be involved i'll no failure of duty by postpouing
measures which can only be efficiently carried out
under the circumstances by the greatest prOmpti-
tude, hereby proclaim to the citizens of Baltimore
that, in virtue of my powers aud duties under the
Constitution and laws of the State. have directed
the proper military officers to enroll and hold in
readiness their respective corps for active service
at once and especially on the approaching day of
election and have issued to them full instructions
to preserve the peace of the city, and secure To the
legal voters their rights against the violence and
intimidation of the iawless ruflans who have dis
graccd the city and outraged the elective rights in
the recent election.
In thus acting have sought merely to discharge
my duty and insure 10 the citizen the rights pledged
to him by the constitution aud the laws, and !
earnestly invoke the moral support and aid of all
good citizens who value their government and its
privileges
Especially do forewarn all persons against all
Illegal conduct III the obstruction of voters, and
adnIonish them of the serious responsibility which
awaits the inftaction of the law.
1t is to be seea if repubiicansm is adequate for
its own protection. The Governor confidently re
lies the loyalty of the citizens OF this grea: me-
trnpolis aad in the hearty readiness with which
they will cooperate in the vindication of the city
and State from any igGominious submission To
awless ruffians. If they do all parties will rejoice
in the triumph of government, aud every good mau
that the pledges of the constitution are not an
empty mockery. At all events, the Governor will
do his duty; if constitutional authority and law
are not upheld and vindicated, the responsibility
must rest elsewhere.
But there is no reason to fear any adverse result.
The Governor Will not question the fidelity of the
military arnl, or doubt It's ability for any emergen.
ey that may arise. The military officers with whom
have cousulted, express their readiness to serve
III state, and have no doubt of their sufficiency
for the occasion and good citizens may confidently
trust that their title to constitutional government
will be fully redeemed
Let all citizens, therefore, exercise their rights
abstain from disorder and violence and trust ia the
genius of the constitution and the laws
Let no man leave the reCinet, of his own ward
un4sss ordered 10 do by competent aHthorty
Thus he will promote the fairness Of the election and
Old the iust retrbnOn that Will ce dealt 10 th,n
vagrant emissaries of disOrdec who wander frorr
polls polls for tho purpose of Illegal voting and
to deter peaceful citz from the ex rcse of their
rights Bnt it is the sinc.rc hope of the Governor
that the majesty of the law, suppcrten by the conn
tenance OF good citizens. will make the easung cleo
ton = egDal triumph 10 those who believe IN the ca
prcity Of the people iui self goyernrutnt.
Given under my hane at The city OF Baltimore.
this twenty eight lav Of October in the ear 81 our
Lord Que thousand eight hundred and ffty-seren.
L. WATKINS IdGov.
nv the Governor