Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-11-09
BRUTALITY IN BALTIMORE.

fifty cents per copy, as before mentioned.
BRUTALITY IN BALTIMORE
AS long as the rowdyism and brutality o
Baltimore were confined to the incidents OF po
litical elections and submitted to by the peo
pie of that city, We didnot feel disposed to in
tcrfcrc in the bloody pastincs Of their politica
contests; but the murder of Rigdon, because h'
was a witness, surpasscs NIL the rowdyism o
elections, and soils, with its bloody stains, tho
robes of Justice itself We understand that Rig
don was a most useful, bold and efficient off
Ger, and the very qualities that constituted hi
usefulness have prompted his murder.
How long an outraged public will submit
to scenes like these, without the aid of Iigian
Committees, we cannot say; but referring tC
New Orleans and San Francisco, composed o
men alike, in all respects, to Baltimore, VT
should judge that vigilants were very much
needed, and will soon be resorted to, in that
mob governed and murderous city.
The business citizens of Baltimore are rs
much opposed and as much outraged by tho
enormiteS transactng around them As any
people can be- But the questionable practices
Of political party has rendered Infamous tn,
men who belong to the organization, and
nothing better than murdcrous rowdyism is tc
be expected from the party that elected, as
Mayor of Baltimore, Thomas Swami, the prime.
Of tie Plug. Upheld in their rowdysm by
the highest municipal authority, they are but
receiving the recompcnse Of reward for tho
favors of his election. Reciprocity is the word
between Swami and his myrmidonS. They
elect Swami, and he protects them. Thus
order, law and justice are set at defiance by
Swanns crew of polce-killins electors.
The Baltimore Sun" of Saturday last has
the following on this subject
"THE ASSASSINATION or OFFICER RIGDoS.-
Officer Robert W. Rigdon, prominent witncS:
in the case Of the State against Gambrill, con
victcd Yesterday of murder in the first degree.
was last night shot dead in his OWN house
while converSing with his wife. The details o
this horrible tragedy are related in the Local
column of the "Sun" this morning, and we
should take it As Il theme Of comment here,
with Sickening despair, but for the conviction
that reign of terror thus inaugurated cannot
prevail against an enlightened public opinion,
and the indignant sense of outrage which this
coldbooded murder has provoked The timt
has come when all trifing must end. Party
prciudiccS and animoSitieS are but straws to bf
cast to the winds in such state of society a.
prevails in Baltimore.
The united voice Of civilized community,
and probably the active zeal Of good and true
men in all parts Of the city, may be requisite
for the support and defence Of organized 50
vernmcnt against the daring and murdcro,s
forays Of organized rullianism. The assassin
tion Of this officer-a man, we are assured,
bold and fearless and truthful and reliable
may we'll startlc the public ear and thrill he
public heart; for it is demonstration against
the very buwarks of civilization. II striles
red-handed at our municipal police, the Wit
ness stand, the jury box, the courts of justie,
and all the surroundings of social life.
Officer Riglon had been the principal VT.
ness on the part of the State, in the trial Of
Ganbril for the murder Of officer Benton, yho
was convicted ofmurdcr in the first degree, he
very evening that Rigdcn was shot. We lip
from the American" the scenes that occurred
on the removal of Gambrill to prison:
REMOVAL OF THE PRISONER
II was nearly six o'clock when the Courtld-
journcd, and there being a large concourst of
the friends Of the prisoner about the Co,rt-
house, he was placed in the lookup until ar
rangcments could be made by Captain Jmes
for his removal to the Jail Fearing tina: an
attempt might be made to rescue him, Mayor
Swami had kept over one hundred police off
GERS fully armed, at the Courthouse all da:',
and they were in readiness, under command Of
Marshal Herring, to escort him to the jail
Carriages were placed on both sides Of the
Court House, so as to divide the crowd, and
the prisoner was finally brought out and
placed in the carriage on Calvert street, and
driven of, followed by crowd of men and
boys. Tho police also followed the carriage,
and Captain James, who was in with thu pri-
soncr with pistol in hand, mcnaced those who
attempted to approach him. There Icing
evidences Of concerted movement to inter-
rupt them on the way to the Jail, Captain
James directed tho driver to proceed down
Saratoga ST. with all speed to the Middle station,
and the prisoner was quickly lodged in one oi
the cells Marshal Herring Immediately order
ed fifty officers to prepare their muskets fol-
escort duty, and at s o'clock the prisoner was
conveyed to the Jail without further interrup
ton.
In regard to the attempt to rescue the pri
soncr the following additional facts are stated
Two hacks had been procured, so as to divide
the attention of the crowd. One was placed
on Lexington street, and the other on Calvcr
street in front of the Gilmor House. Tn,
main portion of the crowd gathered on Lex
ington street, and it was determined to place
the prisoner in the other carriage. This wa!
successfully done, but not without an attemp
to create disturbance Officer McComas va
pushed aside by Marion Crops, and Davi.
Houck cried out 'shoot him, shoot him,
meaning, it was supposed, the hackman. Cap.
James and Capt Owens, Warden and DE-
putty Warden Of the Jail, got into the carriage
and directed the driver to proceed directly
timidated, drove down Calvert street to Little
his pistol, threatening to shoot him unlesshe
changed his course. He then drove up Soth
to I'd street, through Cd to Gay street, and Mt
the latter street to Saratoga. Captain James
fearing, from the circuitous route taken, tint
he might be intercepted on his way to the jdl.
determined to take his prisoner to the Genital
police station, from whence he was rcmovd,
as stated above. in charge Of an escort tint
rendered any attempt at rescue futile.
FROM wAsH1dGT0N.
i Special Dispatch to the New York TimcsI
WAsuxGroS, Friday, Nov 5.-The Gov
ernmcnt has rendered to General Paez ether