Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-11-18

TIE BALTIMORE FKAuDs.-Wc take great pleasure
in laying before our readers the following address Of
Henry P. Brooks, Esq, to the voters of the fourth
congressional district of Maryland. Mr.. Brooks
states his case in . calm plain, and Straightforward
manner; and dscoses = state of affairs in his dis
trict of fearful character to fully warrant
think, congressional intervention:
To THE VOTERS OF TIE FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL
DIsralcr.-A sense Of duty compels me to contest
the right of the Hon. H. W. Davis to the seat in the
next Congress to which he appears to some to have
been elected on the 4th instant. The proper legal
notice will be given to him. A decent respect for
your opinions induces me to make brief public
statement of the which determine me to this
course. .- 80
On the day of the election visited most of the
ward polls comprised in the district in which was
. candidate for your suffrages. My observation
convinced me that the extraordinary arrangements
made for that occasion had failed to accomplish their
primary object-that of securing to all classes of
citizens the right to vote. In most Of the wards
the special police abandoned the polls early in the
day, having found that they were unable to afford
that protection to citizens of political sentiment
which those of contrary views seemed to find in
some power above the law. observed throughout
the district that the political opponents Of the party
which had the honor to represent had provided
themselves with tickets bearing uniform red stripes
80 rs to be readily distinguished from the other
ticket
Owing to this fact, and to the occasional assaults
at the polls, showing, thought, an organized and
wellconcerted plan throughout the district for the
intimidation Of voters, ceased to regard the affair
any test Of the political sentiments Of our people
received during the day statements from large
number of persons as to the harsh treatment which
they had received, and their inability to deposte
their votes. i.,.s.,l L, r.rt Ga ,1e-
/ received assurances from the most reliable
sources that illegal voting by minors and residents
of other wards had taken pnce at most Of the polls,
and that in numerous instances persons intending to
vote one ticket had beea compelled by fear to vote
the other. - .' @1'~-- .7'.5'
At the 18th ward polls observed the only ap-
pearance of such contest as might be termed an
election, and vet l have the amplest testimony,
think, to show that the voice of that ward has been
alike sti1ed with the rest by illegal and fraudulent
means. The evidence at my command is not con-
fined to members of one political party. To the
honor of the community. be it said volunteer state.
ments have been made to me by men holding senti-
ments in extreme political antagonism to my own,
expressing their desire to rebuke, any form, the
scenes which they have witnessed. The duty which
have to perform 10 proftless and dsagreeable
one to me. ,..a:iass> SOD $50 81. s r
Ny interest Ia it is no more than that Of every io
dividual citizen. i am satisfied that Congress- has
not the power to dsposssss my opponen: Of his sest
and confer il on me, nor would accept it II they
had, but believe they have the power to declare
that conspiracy existed to stie the real voice Of
the people BY fraud, force, and intimidation, and Ia
accordance with that declaration to vacate the At
s case, rejoice to know, unlike any other
which has arisen in the history Of our contested
elections and involves the vital considerations of
maintaining the purity Of our elective franchise, and
| preserving the form Of government committed to
our charge. Thousands Of disfranchised citizens
desire 70 lay their grisvances before some tribunal
that will rebuke lawlessness by law, and vindicats
the right Of oil classes of the people to voice in
their Sovernm The trust reposed in me BY their
confidence denanis that should give them ! hear
iag before The people al the United States in Con-
- assembled in this extraordinary mode, inas.
afese . they Asye been denied q participation in
saas neh council n the manner contemplated By our
form Of government and our lava 4, -
lam. respectfully, your obedient servant
On 7.sssasE }iaea q HENRY P. BROOKS