The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-10-28
TO THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND.

,,o, events which occurred in Baltimore at the mu
ncnal eectionif election it be caed-of the l4th
Of October 1857.
isnot now their purpose to attempt description OF the
acts Of violence and intimidation practised upon that occ
sion and which succeeded signay in defeating the
emocrc nominees for the first branch OF the city coun
ell Suffice it say that the acts of ruianism In general
.urpassed any OF the previous demonstrations OF that
character which have dsreputably marked the pro-
ss of the party In this city called American save
those only Of the presidential OF 1886 The police
of the city apparently indifferent TO those exhio
tons The arm towards which the people were won't, IN
other days look for protection was either dlsncined
10 nerf, its Office on utterly imbecile for that end
Whenever or wherever at times silence prevailed at the
polls during that day it was the quiet OF bloody and
overriding desposm that had no more victims on which
10 appea.se its murderous proclivities-
The object of this address, however in the MAN, is to
py to the question which has recently been frequently
propounded the members OF the Democratic State Cen
tnl Committee by gentlemen from various parts OF the
Ststeto wit Will an effort be made by the citizens OF
baltimore opposed TO the ownothing organization, to
cast their ballots the State election TO take place on
the 4th Of November proximot
To this inquiry the undersigned answer that it is tho
soute purpose of the democratic party of the city OF
Baltimore put forth every legal effort to insure success
at the November election Whilst they do not profess to
disguise from you that in making these efforts they
have To contend at against the awless violence OF
clubs banded together for the purpose OF carrying
the election by fraud and violence and the indifference
or criminal completely OF partisan police they nave not
forgotten and do not intend to forget that they owe
their political brethren of the counties one more earnest
endeayor to prevent their voice from being sted by an
unlawful and overwhelming majority in this CITY what
ever therefore may be the disadvantages under winch
ties Is DO youy arhols duty and nothing short of the as
sertion of the absolute dominion OF mob shall pre-
vent US from doing ours.
II il true that the wrongs which characterized the late
election and the recent address of the mayor furnish
sender hope that during his dynasty shall have any
sincere and honest aid from our municipal police Its or
sanizaon is partisan exclusively and he we regret to DC
obliged to declare seems to think 1t has discharged is
duty when enables the members of his party to cI
baust their votes But Notwithstanding all this, we
shall omit nothing to full fair vote OF the de-
mocracy Baltimore, and if we can attain this rely up
on it that Baltimore will more be entitled to the re-
spect and regard of the people OF the State
But it, the other hand the violence which in 1858,
1886 and in October 1851 DISTINGUISHED the democratic
marty here should again make successful head against us,
and drive from the polls we shall with profound con-
6dence as last resort look other abitraments than
the baot-box at home for yndicaton OF the nestlna-
BILE right guaranteed by the constitution and laws OF Mary
land to every true citizen of the State In this connex-
ion it is agreeable to know that the Thirty fifth
Congress of the United States is by the constitution OF
the United States made the judge of the election of its
own members that the members of the State legisla-
tue be elected in November will also have the power
of deciding upon the validity of the election OF those who
NAV be returned members and that further according
to section A. article of the constitution OF Maryland
a questions in relation to the eligibility of governor
the returns OF Sllu anu W as"
lady Of uos therein given shall be determined by the
house OF delegates and by the act of assembly chapter
244 OF eighteen hundred and fifty three, it is in like
manner provided that a contested elections for comp
toller commissioner of lotteries and commissioner OF
the land Office shall be decided by the house OF dele
gates
The obstruction of the polls is question of human
rights and involves considerations far above any strug
gle for partisan triumph and hence can tor one mo-
ment be believed that if at the election to take place In
November ruianism, violence, and threatening intim
daton shall hold 'hgh court at the precincts OF the
ballot that IL true and awabding citizens shall be
driven from the polls and DISTINGUISHED of that right
which underes all other rights that are dear and vaiua
Die under American nsitutionsas was the case at the
October eeconthe national and State Legislative bodies
will hesitate to exercise the authority vested IN them by
the constitutions and laws which govern them respective
ly decline to ignore, at least an election characterized
by such proceedings
This ia peaceable and legal mode of redress and such
AS ,,st commend itself to the countenance and support
of every one who values rational liberty and who desires
to see the laws upheld and the lawess rebuked and con
signed to the contempt they merit NO one, certainty
that feels interest in the prosperity OF the city, or that
has lust regard for the protection OF person or property
can desire that the scenes of the last two years shall be
reenacted and hence whilst he might deprecate the ex
ence of cause or causes which will suggest an appeal
from the ballotbox yet he must recognise 1t as con-
sentative arbament, under the lamentabe contingen-
CieS indicated.
The undersigned therefore, invoke tho citizens Of Bal
ore to exercise if possible the elective franchise AT the
'SNS
pa distractions the voters may come under their
notice to the end that their testimony may be given II
reouired before the proper tribunals and to the voters
Of the counties we appeal, and pray them to remember
that they have their keeping not only their own rights
but ours that they happily beyond the reach OF those
horrors which! reader election day in Baltimore scene
of blood and violence and that If they fail to do their
duty they surrender up this fair and proud metropolis,
without appeal to the rule Of those who have already
furnished her fame wherever the reports Of these atroc
lies have been spread and who If their career be not
STAYED will render her unsafe place OF abode Tor any
man who refuses to acknowledge their sway.
1t is with horror that announce to the state the
existing condition of affairs in this city for, strange as
it may SEEM city in the world has larger proportion
of moral and virtuous citizens. The community as mass
shocked and at the surrender of the municipal
ity the brutal control of not than two Thousand
idle dssipated and worthless eectioneering rowdles
But these are organized and armed and the ponce,
whom the law has armed for their control inefhclenty
check the violence which iDauguated them into power
and promises to continue them in position. ,..|
But later the retrbutive vengeance of out
ragged rights will respond in its constitutional modes, or
the manhood Of freemen will create the process of re-
dress ...a#. '"Mr
JOSHUA VANSANT,
WIN. HENRY NORRIS
..r JOHN S. WRIGHT,
b. A. VICKERS,
JAMES ]. LAWN,
.l... -r Executive Committee.
r., spctoLer 1887. ...... . s