The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-09-25
BALTIMORE.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 1858.

~ ..r7av expressed the hope, that in its in
,.l,:,n ot the murder of policeman BENTON, the
.,,;t,, would not overlook The claims of his
hoInIcs. family. We are glad TO see that the CITY
,,,,,,c1 has set a commendable example IN this
,,,-,,oct by voting to the widow and orphans
cum, Of money equal to one years pay OF the muir
derad husband and father. 1t was but an act OF
simnle Justice, and we hope will be followed up by
G,rtber and more substantial evidence or pnpIc
sympathy. An officer of the law who falls, as ms
brave man fell, in the courageous discharge OF his
dnty dies no less honorably, and deserves praise
no less than the soldier who gives up his lie on
the battlefield Freedom and independence are
great blessings, but they are not the absolute ana
exclusive good which they are sometimes ciaIiheu
TO be- Without security for our homes, ana pro-
lection for our lives, they exist but III haile-lhey
are delusion and q mockery. Inc uah3eFs which
are at our own doors are the chief OF the perlS which
beset us, and it is upon the peaceful field of every
dav duty, in the brave and faithful execution OF
common, and it may be- humble trusts, that the
laurels of the good citizen and the true man are
most usefully and honorabIy Won
But there is another ground, upon which
suitable testimonial of respect for the services of
the victim who has been sacrificed, would be emil
nently appropriate at this time. we live IN a
season of speechcs and promises, when patriotism
is measured nv tbe column and q harangue goes
much farther than the assembled cardinal virtues
One brave and practical act of devotion to duty
one real sacrifice of self and life upon the
altar of conscientious obligation, is, there
fore. a thing worth concentrating. We
have orators enough statesmen that are, or
that hone 10 bc-windy demagogues-empty de-
claimers-to whom the turning of periods seems
10 be the one only thing needful in public life and
Dublic service. It would be salutary thing for
the people TO testify 10y spontaneous act of simple
and generous Justice how much higher than all
these pretenders they hold the simple truthful man.
who is ready at the humble post where duty places
him. to act what his superiors are content to prom
Use, and seal his fidelity with life, not words
But whether the community agree with us or
not, in ths-upon one point at least all must con-
cur-the absolute and imperative obligation of the
constituted authorities, TO see that the blood of a
good citizen and 4 faithful public servant should
not 90 down into the ground unavenged. For
once at least let it be made manifest that prosecu-
ting attorneys can prosecute, juries can convict,
and judges proclaim the sentence of the law. 1t
is turning point in our city's history. The I'M
paraclcd atrocity of the murder-the publicity
with which it was committed-the utter contempt
of all law, human and divine, which has charac-
terized the career of the outlaws by whom it was
perpetraed--all combine to demand from the tri-
bunals and officers of justice, the rigorous and
faithful discharge, for once at least of the duties
committed TO their hands. If they fail in it, there
must be one of two results-either the community
must abandon all hope of its regeneration or they
must be driven from the places which such a result
would prove them TO disgrace.