The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-10-13
BALTIMORE.
WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 10, 1858.

To-day will decide the question: very mo-
,,,ortous one, in our Observation-Disclosures Mr..
cu-,yy or Col SHUT shall be MAYOR of Baltimore
Cor the next two years. We should be blind,
however to the experience of the two years that
have Just ended, were we to fatter ourselves that
the result will be full or fair expression of the
popular will. We sincerely trust it may be- but
elections have grown to be so sad mockery
among us and the verdict of the ballot-box has
become at best, of late so shameful fraud and
falsehood that there is but little to be hoped, we
are afraid from a contest, where all the advan-
tages upon one side, and their INSCRIPTIONS
abuse, far practicable, is matter of absolute
certainty. Nevertheless-we have said before, and
we repeat it now, emphatically and earnestly-the
effort to change the aspect and destiny of our
municipal affairs should not be allowed to fail
through the apathy of any good citizen, who
honestly desires to see a reform of existing abuses.
1t is the imperative and conscientious duty of
every voter who condemns Mr.. SwANN's admin
istration, to testify, by bis ballot, against it.
HSilent contempt may be a very comfortable, but
it is not a practical or a manly method of punish
ing those who deserve It, The only way to correct
paQ government IS ~ pun q pS'eei oie III It's
place. Those who abuse and prostitute power will
be quite willing to encounter public Indignation
for ever, so long as it confines itself to being mere
" indignant. To be efective-to assert its power
and make itself felt-public opinion must vote
vote boldly, honestly, and with resolution-against
the candidates whom it desires to mark with its
reprobaton and for the candidates whom it desires
to see chosen in their places. There will conse-
quently rest a heavy responsibility upon those of
the people of Baltimore, who, by neglecting TO
deposit their ballots may fix upon this community,
for the coming term, the incompetent and faithess
dynasty, which is now drawing towards its natural
close The success of Mr.. SwANN-no matter how
attaned-no matter by what violation of public
duty, or overthrow of individual rights-will be
trumpeted as an endorsement and a victory.
1t will 90 forth as false representation oft true
sentiments of our people, and will add to the dis
grace which we are already suffering, from past
abuses, the humiliation of having publicly ac-
guessed in them. Animated, therefore, by none
of that partisanship, which might perhaps have
influenced or been ascribed to us, had Colonel
SHUT been the candidate of our own choice
or recommendation-bu believing nevertheless
that he is a fairer better, truer than
his opponent - believing firmly that his sue
cess will promote the interests and welfare of
this community-that he deserves public support,
and will show, if elected, that he deserves tive
feel it an important duty to press upon those of
our fellow-ctizens who desire a change 10 give
him the aid of their suffrages. We will not say
for we cannot say truly-that the issue which his
nomination tenders to- Mr. SWAMI, is the issue
which we desired to see rendered, and which
might and ought to, under other and better
auspices, have been rendered to that gentleman.
We will not say that the ''verdct' upon that
issue is the one by which we will be prepared to
abide in every event, as pronouncing the judg-
ment of this community upon Mr.. SWAMI and his
administration. But it is still an issue in which
we believe that the best interests of the City-its
peace and honor-the safety of life and property
the enjoyment of public franchise and private
right--are on the side of Col. SHUT and it is
because of this conviction that we wish him a safe
deliverance in the contest.