The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-11-04
Martlal Law IN Batiinore.

BALrrNoRE,l Oct 80 IGov. .Lgon is
sued proclamation this morning, placin,
the city under martial law and .orderin,
out two divisions consisting of 1000 men
The commanding officers are ordered to en-
rol at once, and report for service by Sat
urday next, and hold themselves -feadi
ness to preserve the peace on Nednesda,
next, the day ofthe general election. , ThI
FGoyernor takes this step against the desir,,
OF the Mayor but at the request and or
the representations made by respecsabl,
citizens Considerable feeling was arrons
ed this morning by the proclamation, ant
there is great diversity of opinion in re-
Egard to the measure. Many consider i,
Justified by existing circumstances while
fothers regard itas most unwise and cal
culated to increase difficulties on election
day. ,fsbsgoa ot gag
-an iagas SECOND DISPATCH. feted t99
Governor Ligon's proclamation has
produced quite sensation and some ex.
cltemen:; an extra has just been published
giving correspondence between Governor
and Mayor---the latter objects to al any in.
reference by Governor in Government O,
city, and says in conclusion: AS Mayor o,
the city Of Baltimore, I hold my commits.
sion directly from the people, and am am &C ac.
countable tothem for the man manner Ell in which
I-discharge my trust The Office; which
have been called upon to assume, was
conferred upon me without, solicitation.
and will be laid down whenever it shall be
made to appear that 1 have lost the con-
hdence of those whom it has been nv my; high
est endenvor to serve. l can recognize
subordination to no other power within
the sphere of my duty IS
l deem it due to.courtesy to afford your
excelency the amplest information in re-
gard to matters to which YOU refer in
your letter, and now invite from you any
reliable evidence upon which 1 can act, if
combination on the part of any of our
citizens to obstruct the laws at the coming
election; but while am thus frank in fore
shadowing my plans for the preservation
of public peace and the protection of every
voter by every means at my command. /
must be equally so in declining to recog
nize any joint administration of the affairs
Of this city. The powers Of The mayor are
believed to lie ample. He has his resort
in case of emergency, to, civil posse. as
well as military, and which like the former
is placed by law under his control. :. 1t will
be his duty to use his endeayors to see
every citizen protected in his constitution-
al right, and that the peace Of the city is
preserved by the means at bis disposal. Is
: It. however it should be attempted to
Introduce power into the city Of fBaItimore
above that of its regular, constItuted au,l
thorities, or if power should be assumed
in anticipation of state of things, Which
may not occ1r, to bring the military in
contact with the people on the day of the
election, without official requisition or the
part of local authorities, can only express sl
my sincere belief'that such policy might
seriously endanger the city and lead to
which it shall be the duty of
all good citizens to enGeaver if possible
to avert. Signed THOMAS SWAMI Mayor