The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-04-16

ID is fredericksburg of TIC feMl nre6I oHphs tobc
very near Bal apaores 1t has ! good mapy rig
uglies', ~ it's own and these Gestire Of plentkMl
reinforcement from headquarters, whenever the
gency requires. Not that Baltimore does not CON
tain great deal Of respectability WORTH and enter
prise but that il notorionsly abounds in huge and
unequaIed proportion Of plug -uglyism.
The federal metropolis was established at the
time when the Partisan mob in its hsydsy; when
it had succeeded in dethroDing King and behesd-
ing him, in trampng all France under its HEELS and
was running riot in phrensy Of rapine and blood
shed. The secret clubs Of Paris like our modern
city engine companies and plug-ugly clans, regned
supreme; and their reign Reign Of Terror.
The national assembly of France was but AN emana-
ton Of the clubs of Paris. Clubism is but sy-
nonyme of terrorism; and we have it in all its
horrors in our own Baltimore and Louisville. We
have oif-shoots Of the system in Washington. g4sl
The object Of the founders Of our government in
establishing rural, rather than an urban, seat of
government to remove the deliberations of Con-
gress and the action of government from the con
troll of the mob The idea was suggested by the
then condition Of France. But for that sad and
bloody picture, Philadelphia would have remained,
in all probability until this day. the capital city of
the confederation. The government was brought to
the quiet and serene banks Of the Potomac in order
that it might be in danger from street broils and
mob rule and law. Baltimore then small city
Railroads had not yet been invented, and plug
ugIyism was not in the remote imaginations of our
sagest statesmen. Baltimore has now grown to a
,:s, L.
mob as was Versailles to the Partisan terrorists.
Plug-ugyism has become ruling institution in the
State within which the federal capital is located
The object at which the founders of our govern
ment aimed in establishing the federal seat of gov
eminent in rural, champagne retreat at distance
from cities and the savage mob, has failed The
federal government is in the very jaws of the plug
ugly monster
Congress is now endeavoring to provide rem
edy for this dangerous condition of affairs. 1t is
proposed to establish guard of the peace charged
with the protection of federal officers and egis-
lators, and of public and private property in the
city The question is, how to organize this force
much needed To place it under the control of the
city authorities who elected at elections which
controlled by the mob, would seem to be, only
raising force to suppress the mob whose appoint
ment and support would be at the dictation of the
mob. Government would thus be giving the mob
club to break its own head with. To place this
force under the control of the federal executive is
also strongly objected to by many who reprobate
the project by classical references to the Pretorian
bands of the Roman Emperors and other mcreenary
and uuculent corps mentioned in history,
1t is not for us to say what scheme should be
adopted The size of the federal city its proximity
Baltimore, the spirit of lawlessness now rife in its
bosom, of which we have had appalling evidences,
call for the organization of efficient police. That
police should not be dependent in any manner upon
popular favor control in this city It must serve
the purpose of protecting the community and the
government from lawless violence. 1t must meet
the object which the founders Of our government
originally contemplated in planting the seat of gov
ermment on the quiet banks of the Potomac We
want protection for the government we want safety
for life and property in the District; want the
substance ; and we trust that Congress viii not sac
ri6ce the substance to classical shadows and wire
drawn distractions.
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