The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-06-12

1t appears to be the fashion, just now, with GER
tain journalists, to ascrbe the recent organization
of a Vigilance Committee in New Orleans to poli-
cal motives, and not at ALL to an earnest desire to
purge that city of the dcsperadoes by whom it has
long been infested. They point triumphantly
to the success of the American Candidate for the
Mayoralty, and assume from this isolated fact that
there was no real cause for complaint against the
outgoing authorities. 1t needed but the further
assertion that the laws were faithfully admins
tered, and that the citizens of New Orleans were
amply protected both in person and property, to
make the censure of the Vigilance Committee COM
pete. But if the authorities of that city performed
their duty promptly, mpartially, and efficiently,
how does it happen that crimes of every grade have
been so frequent, and that so few of the offenders
have been convicted and punished? 1t was the
startling frequency of these occurrences that led to
the formation of a Vigilance Committee. Six hun
dred of the most respectable citizens of New Orleans
united in the nomination of an Independent candi-
date for the Mayoralty, and in a well meant, but
futile effort, to put an end to outrages that the
judicial functionaries were either unable or I'M
willing, to suppress. Their purpose met with the
cordial approval of every influential journal in the
city, but one. They had no political object what
ever in view, but were influenced solely by local
considerations. The Commercial Bulletin, which
the National hteHigencer justly endorses, as ethe
"most reliable and conservative of New Orleans
'papers," defended the movement on the ground,
that it had 'the distinct approval and warm sup
sport ofmen ofhe most opposite political principles
linen representing different classes, professions
"views many of whom have for years stood aloof
''from our municipal affairs, who have wished only
''to enjoy the benefits of peace and good govern
''ment, but who now, deprived of these, and
"seeing no hope of securing them without an effort
''have come forward and, putting their shoulders
''to the wheel, are determined to pretermit no
'proper efforts till New Orleans is redeemed, re-
generated, Disseminated
"The fact is, continues the Bulletin-ttthe great
'leading idea of this movement to give this city
esthe blessings of order and peace, to protect the
tcitizens from violence and to punish the guilty,
''is the complete practical as well as theoretical
IGNORING of national or general politics, and
''every other consideration, except the sole, all
tfengrossing one of the salvation of the city. To
'this great object, upon the accomplishment of
(which so much depends, everything else is as
'nothing, and upon this altar, citizens irrespective
'of party creed prediction, willingly lay aside
call minor differences, and agree to work together
''for the common benefit of each and of ALL Upon
''this question the stanchest Old Line Wings, the
tImost decided Democrats, the warmest and most
respectable Americans, all found heartily
s'united convinced, by the sternest facts. of the
''absoute necessity of such course of conduct to
''save the city from the imminent dangers which
'threaten it. We no alarmsts but if the disor-
'ders the black, desolating disorders with which all
1our readers familiar in this city not stayed
then God help its business, its merchants, its prop
"erty-holders, its taxpayers"
This is strong language, but not stronger than
the exlgency warranted. On the Docket of the
First District Court of New Orleans, at the close
of January, 1857, there were then pending
Gases of murder. l9