The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-11-11
[CoMNrsIcATIoS.l
THE REFORM ASS0CIATION-ITS OBJECTS
AND PURPOSES

Editors Daily Exchange:
GENTLEMEN: The address of "The City Reform As
ISOLATION" has been the subject Of much discussion
and some criticism. One remark | have heard so
frequently made by persons protesting themselves to
be in favor Of the objects Of the Association that
hope you will not deem some notice of it in your
columns to be out of place.
1t is said that the address is very well far as it
goes, but that its authors have not been sufficiently
definite, and that they should have set forth in what
mode they intend to proceed and what measures
they propose to adopt for the attainment of their
objects. Now it seems to me that moments
consideration should convince any one that the As
ISOLATION have done neither more nor less than they
ought to have DONE They have stated briefly the
notorious facts which have induced them to asso-
ciate themselves together. They have announced
their object to be to join, with such affiliated So
"ceties may be founded for like purposes through
ou the city, in indicating and reestabshing their
"rights and restoring the good name of Baltimore
sit Is their declared purpose to unite in guaran
"tying hereafter the purity Of the ballot box and
absolute freedom of access thereto, and in pro-
"motlng and securing, by all lawful and fair
"means the election of honest competent and faith
"iu men, without distinction of party, to the va
'rious Offices of municipal, judicial and executive
'trust in this CITY," Is there anything wrong in
this? Can any honest man be found in this com
munity who will dare to say that these objects are
not praiseworthy, whether or not he may deem it
practicable to effect them? Whence then the Ia
bored effort by portion of the partisan press to
heap odium and contumely on every member of the
Association to represent them as insurrectionary?
as violators of law g? as disturbers of the public
peace ? and as aiming at subversion of the CITY
Government, and at the prostratOn of the munich
pal authorities? Surely the admirers and partisans
of Mr.. SWAMI, pay him but a poor compliment
when they anathematzc as treason against him. an
assertion OF the desire to to the citizens of
Baltimore free access to the ballot box, and the
privilege of cecting ''honest, competent and faith
'ful'' municipal officers.
But, it is asked, what does the Association mean
to do2 Referring again to their address, it will be
seen that their only hope of remedy for the evils
under which the community is suffering sis the
combined and resoute action of the citizens them
'selves, ,chin the limits of the lac also That thev
desire to promote and secure Jy all la,rm and fair
"means, the election of honest, competent and faith
'ful men without distinction of party to the va
riOus municipal Offices That they ''invite their
'fellow citizens to cooperate with them, by the
iormation of kindred associations in the different
''wards, with view to the loeacea5Ie and lamfu
attainment of the objects which they have dis
closed" If the call of the Association be respond
ed to by all who approve of their Objects and who
are willing to join in all proper and loefm measures
for their attainment, their task will be easy one
and their success certain. What particular sters
within the restriction of their being not illegal it
may be most judcious to take, it would, perhaps
have been presumptuous in the Association, in the
infancy of its organization, to decide upon. Their
fellow citizens who may join them, may rightfully
expect to have their views consulted and it would
have been treating them with but little respect had
the gentlemen who have signed the address, not
only announced the objects which they had in view
but further undertaken to decide upon all the
means which were to be adopted for their attain
ment These for the future consideration of the
Association, subject to the sole pledge that they are
to be lawfM.
In the face of the declarations thus made by men
whose character in the community is a sufficient
guaranty that they mean what they say, what but
the most stupid folly or malicious Misrepresentation
and fasehood could have originated the charge that
the getty Reform Association is band of illegal
conspirators, who design to subvert all municipal
authority and obstruct the administration of JUS
tce, and that its members propose the formation of
Vigilance Committee, in the modern acceptation
of the term; that is, to act they may think proper
in utter disregard and open violation of the laws OF
the land? Away with such utter absurdities. To
the citizens of Baltimore appeal is made in the
words of truth and sobcrness by men whose dearest
interests they well know to be identified with their
own. Let them well ponder on the appeal thus
made; and if they realize the enormous evils which
exist amongst US, and are DESTROYS to see them cor
rected by all laocfd means that may be devised let
them have the nerve to avow their sentiments, and
come forward and lend their open aid and assist
ance to the work. Let them join the Ward Asso-
Citations, and let the issue fairly be made whether
not the people of Baltimore content that the
present state of things. shall be perpetuated, or
whether they willing to unite in an effort to re-
deem the fair fame of the city,
A MrnInEr or TILE A rArrn>-