The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-10-30
TIE CITY or BALTIMORE.

suDhCrlDe. 81
THE CITY OF BALTIMORE.
Years of insult oppression, and outrage have
failed to ste the voice paralyze the e1erons Of
the indomitable democracy of Baltimore Waylaid
beaten, and driven from the polls by armed and or
ganized bands Of numbering rufians, they still
willing to risk life and limb in the assertion Of
their just constitutional rights The recollection of
houses sacked consigned to the incendiarys torch,
or of the fearfully large number of their political
friends who have been foully murdered for other
offence than attempting exercise the rights Of
American elector, appears TO have had no other cf
feet than to have stimulated their energies to re-
newed and more determined effort to rid themselves
Of despotism more absolute and appalling than
that of China or Japan.
This determination is opposed to the suggestions
thrown out in the Union few days ago, as we then
believed and still believe that the time has not yet
arrived when successful or safe attempt can DO
made by the democrats of Baltimore not merely to
recover their political supremacy, bnt to exercise
those simple constitutional rights which every citi
zen of the republic native foreign born, is sup
posed to possess. We cannot but admire the fear
less, persevering spirit manifested by political
friends of that city in this their hour of peril and dis
reimbursement, and most sincerely do we hope that
our approximations may prove illfounded
In view of the alarming condition Of affairs in Bal
timore, the governor of Maryland has determined to
employ all the lawful means in his power to rescue
the law-andorder abiding citizens of that city from
violence and oppression-with what
success few days will determine. He has just is
sued the following proclamation:
Proclamation by dhe Governor Of Maryland.
J. T. Watkins Lyon, governor Of the State of Mary
land hereby make this proclamation to the citizens Of
Baltimore
Having been credibly informed by large and respect
able number of citizens of Baltimore that serious appre
tensions are entertained that the approaching general
election is threatened with extreme violence and disorder
in this city, sufficiently to ery and keep away from the
polls many peaceable voters unless the civil Wig
oously nerposed for their protection and being fully
convinced of the business Of this apprehension from the
events of the elections of 1856 and of the recent NUM-
cipal election in the city, have felt II my duty to repair
this city TO fulfil constitutional obligations 10 afford
the citizens the faithful observance of the laws Ac
cordngly have addressed the mayor of the city and
lcted his cooperation in adequate measures for the pro-
lection of the peace of the CITY, So far have received
from him satisfactory response and being resolved to
lie involved failure of duty by posponing
which only be efficiently carried out under the cir
cumstances by the greatest prompttude HEREBY FRO
to the citizens of Baltimore that in virtue Of my
powers and duties under the constitution and laws of the
State have directed the proper military officers TO
roll and hold in readiness their respective corps for active
service at once and especially the approaching day OF
election and have issued 10 them full instructions to
preserve the peace of the city and to the legal
their rights against the violence and intimidation Of
the awless rufans who have sgced the city and out
ragged the elective rights in the recent election
In thus acting, have sought merely to discharge my
r,sxl.s.
by the constitution and 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 in the obstruction of voters and admons them
of the serious responsibility which awaits the nacon
of the law.
1t is to be if epubicanism is adequate for its
protection The governor confidently relies the loyal
ty Of the citizens of this great metropolis, and in the
hearty readiness with which they will cooperate in the
vindieation Of the city and State from any gnominous
submission to lawless ruians If they do all parties
will rejoice in the triumph Of government, and everJ
good in the conviction that the pledges of the con
sttuton not an empty mockery. At all events the
governor will do his duty if constitutional authority
and law not upheld and vndicated the responsibility
must rest elsewhere. t
But there is no reason to fear any adverse result The
governor viii not question the fidelity of the military
arm doubt it's ability for any emergency that may
arise The military officers with whom have consulted
express their readiness to the State and have no
doubt of their sufciency for the occasion and good
citizens may confidently trust that their title to cons
tutonnl government will be fully redeemed
Let all ctizens therefore, exercise their rights abstain
from disorder and violence, and trust in the genius Of the
constitution and the laws. a.a
Let leave the precincts of his ward unless
ordered to do so by competent authority Thus he VIII
promote the fairness of the election and avoid the just
retbution that will be dealt to those vagant enissarieS
of disorder who wander from polls to polls for the pur'
pose of Illegal voting, and to deter peaceable citizens
from the exercise of their rights But II Is the sincere
hope of the governor that the majesty Of the law, sup
ported by the countcnance Of good citizens win make the
ensuing election signal triumph to those who believe IN
the capacity of the people for selfgovemment
Given under my hand, at the city of Baltimore, TINS
twentyegbth day of October In the year Of our Doa
ono thousand eight hundred and fifty seven.
T. WATKINS LIGoN.
BY the Governor
j. PrNKSEY, Secretary of State.