The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-11-29

1t Is 10 be hoped that the Legislature, in passing
such laws as are needed 10 insure for the
future, the freedom and fairness of elections,
will not content itself with providing insignificant
penalties for their infracton The Act of 1879
Which Furnishes those who commit frauds at
elections, by IA fine not less than ten dollars, nor
exceeding one hundred dollars and 'imprison-
''ment IN the county or city Jail for thirty days"
Is calculated to countenance rather than refute
the absurd idea, that the Offences perpetrated on
election day are more venial than similar ont
RACES occurring on other occasions But a very
little reflection will convince us that if any dis
tinction is to be made between the WRONGS dona
the community through the ballot-box and those
inflicted on individuals in other ways, the former
should be held to be the most heinous, because
OF the tlagrant and deliberate manner in which
they are usually committed and the grave and
lasting injuries resulting from them. For the
outcast, who steals his food and clothing, and the
drunken wretch who assails isneighbor Judges and
juries may properly make some slight allowance.
Even for him who, maddened by sudden passion,
has done deed of violence, the law has some
consideration; for justice ITSELF in Judging human
error, must take note also of human weakness
and temptation. But for the class of crimes that
evidence willful disregard for the rights of 9TH
ers, or the mandates Of the laws-for wanton and
premedtated violations of the provisions on which
the very foundations of our government rest it is
tatuity to ask for liberation If republican insi-
tutions are of any worth, and we are to attribute
to them the blessings we enjoy, it follows that we
take the first step downwards on the day when
the voice of the people is sfed by fraud or over
awed by violence. If the courses which have led
our country TO a point of unexampled strength
and prosperity, have been heretofore shaped
mainly by that public opinion which speaks
through the ballot-box no higher duty
can devolve on us now, than that of
providing for the honest and untrammeed ex-
preston of the popular will henceforh Upon this.
as its cornerstone, political fabric is reared
and when the elective franchise is denied us. or
tempered with, our present Constitution and laws
may as well be whiStled to the winds. ANY inter
ference with the privilege of the citizen is subver
sive of the theory Of our governments and it mat
tiers no: whether disciplined soldiery or an or.
gained rutfiansm, stands between him and his
rights. He is bound to refuse submission to
either, but is under an equal obligation first to
seek redress by an appeal to the laws This
is about to be made; and when the Legislature is
asked to afford us further security against lawless
aggression, we trust it will recognize the impor
lance of the questions it will have to deal with
Small fines and tritiing terms of Imprisonment can
not adequately punish fraud and violence such as
have here usurped the government Unless it is
made a penitentiary offence to commit any one of
a hundred outrages such as we have become ac-
customed to in this city, it is in vain to hope
again for free and fair election; and if this can
not be guaranteed us, with absolute certainty,
then our institutions have failed, and republican
ism is name only.