The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-04-23
BALTIMORE.
FRIDAY, APRIL "a, 1858.

the of MeSSrS. Davis ana Harris OF tins CITY.
The votes of these two gentlemen like their letters
which we published on Monday, have been so fire.
quenty ''MiS-sent East, that not surprised
to find them on this occasion, usual in the
goody fellowship of the Black Republicans The
few Southern men and friends of the Administra-
ton, not exceeding half-dozen in all, who diyd-
ed with Mr.. Washburne IN favor of LAYING on the
table cannot redeem the vote by which the motion
was carried from the charge of being a party vote
The defeat OF the bill was triumph of the Oppo-
sltlon,-ot that Opposition which has defeated the
Army bill, and the Lecompton bill, and which.
after having given countenance to rebellion and
treason in Utah and Kansas, appropriately crowns
Its work by giving impunity to murder and assas-
sination in Washington. Our own attention has
been too much turned to the condition of affairs in
our own city, to allow to bestow much thought
upon the 'sReign of Riot at Washington or else
where The american, however, being conven-
iently blind to all that passes in Baltimore. and
prudently silent upon the subject of the short COM
ings Of our own authorities, has ewes to see what
ever happens forty miles away. We are therefore
compelled TO quote from leader in that journal
OF the Goth inst the following passages descriptive
of the wretched condition of the Capital of the Re
public. 'Our neighbors of the national capital'
says the american, ''are really to be pitied. and
they have our sincere sympathy. We cannot look
without regret upon community doomed as theirs
would appear TO be to one continuous reign of riot
and disorder, the only change pcrceptible being
with each day, an aggravation of the evils under
which they suffer, until the very foundations of
ciVillzed society seem to be overturned and the
laws and organized authorities have become DOW
erless to protect life and property The 'sDead
Rabbits of New York and the empire Club. for
merly so rampant here, named by the A,nerican
as "among the bands of ruffians and assassins
who, drawn thither apparently by some extra
ordinary influence, appear to have taken possession
of the capital at is not necessary adds that
Journal, Ito specify the atrocities committed by
them in that devoted city. The papers have been
filled with them, and yet half has not been told
These disorders have not been limited to riotng
between rival clubs and fire companies or assaults
upon personal or political enemies but have taken
the form of wanton and aroclous murders some
times perhaps for the purpose of robbery. but
evidently for the most part to crafty the ferocous
and sanguinary instincts of lawless rufiians who
Ind fierce delight in blood, and who feel that
lheir political associations place them beyond the
feach OF the avengng arm of Justice In short
If the city of Washington were a rendezvous of
handlth and inhabited only by outlaws by mo-
tesson, human life there would not be one whit
less secure then it has been lately. This assertion
may seem extravaganza but is only too true. Apart
from the national disgrace it brings upon MS,
common humanity demands that an end should be
put to this state of things 1t can no longer be
endured
After such recital of horrors we are not sur
prsed at being told by the american. that s1he
subject has been forced mperatively upon the at
tention of Congress- a national disgrace is
certainly fit subject for the consideration of the
National Legislature particularly when it arises
from the prevalence of crime and lawlessness in
territory of the Republic which is placed by fine
Constitution under ''the exclusive Jurisdiction
of that body. 'The necessity" saws the A,acri-
ea" 'ot providing for the personal safety of its
own members has at last compelled CONGRESS TO
take action III the matter, the local authorities be-
ing contessedly paralyzed and powerless''
"A bill was accordingly introduced into the Senate
OF the United States, by Governor Brown Of Mis-
slsslpp for the purpose of removing this "natonal
disgrace, and applying the remedy which sscom
mon humanity demands" The remedy proposcd
by the bill was exceedingly simple 1t merely
provided for the appointment of one hundred 20
hcemen by the President. The bill passed tbc
Senate and was tabled in the House by a vote of
Ill yeas to 70 nays Messrs. Davis and Harris
voting i'll the affirmative.
ioq"ote once more the language of the American
"our neghbors of the national capital are really to
be pitled.' We do not wonder that the american
cannot look without regret upon a community
doomed as theirs would appear to be to one continu
Gus re- gn-of riot and disorder If sdoomcd'' il he
1t has been so by the vote which laid ON the table
the bill which was to provide sfor the better security
OF life and property in the city of Washington.
Yet from some expressions contained in the very
editorial from which we have quoted il would
seem that the defeat of the bill cannot be dspeasnp
to the american. The editorial was written and
published before the vote was taken in the House.
1t insists, however, that 't is of vital importance
that the power of appointing the policemen ''should
be placed in any hands but those of the President
and as that mode of appointment was contemplated
by the bill, it cannot but rejoice at its defeat "a
remedy is imperatively demanded it saws .svet.n
1t adds, in perfectly Ineligible, though rather
questionable English, ''it would be alike reqretaJle
and disgraceful if the eXigences of her situation
should be seized upon as an opportunity for gar
rlsonlng the national capital with organized politi-
cal ruflans, and utterly prosrating the indepen-
dence OF her citizens at the foot of the executive
we want no pretorian band, whatever NAV he the |
preence for its formation" One hundred poIicc-
men, In the Imagination of the 1Anrican constitute
IA pretorian band, large enough to garrison
the national capital and 'prostrate the indepen-
dence of her citizens at the foot of the executive"
Mayor Swami has four hundred policemen, vet we
PROSTATE" at His Honor's feet The An,erieaa is
over timid. The desire that 'Hthe new police force
should be free from the faint suspicion of parti-
zanShip," is expressed by the american. Would
that object be accomplished by taking the appoint
ing power out of the hands of the President, in
whose election the citizens of the District of Column
bia have no voice. and lodging it elsewhere, in a |
tunctlonary chosen by themselves-the Mayor of |
Washington, for example2 That the establishment |
OF such police force under the control of the |
President may 'obviate the calling ont again of
the Marines we think, should rather have been |
an argument in favor of the BILL than an objection
to it. An evil which lean no longer be endured |
certainly demands remedy, and we regret that in |
the breasts of MesSrs Davis and Harris the plea of
common humanity" and the sense of Irrational |
disgrace should not have outweighed the preiu-
uices OF party and the spirit of opposition
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.