The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-10-20

We have already referred to the recent Election
as showing what simple courage and perseverance
could do, in few wards in the face of ruffianly
opposition, and in the absence of all protection
from the authorities. We have been encouraged
by that result TO urge the friends of Reform to re-
doubled efforts at the coming Election. We have
impressed upon them the duty and necessity of
immediate and thorough organization throughout
the city. We have illustrated the importance of
such organization, by reference to the success
which attended it, at the Municipal Election,
wherever it was attempted, and which was every
where in proportion TO its completeness We have
not hesitated to assure an outraged and disfran-
chised community that its best as well as only,
reliance is selfreliance and that the surest way to
make the authorities do what is right is to re-
solve and prepare to resist what is wrong. The
Importance of the offices to be filled at the Novem-
Der Election-nyolving the upright and efficient
administration of justice in this city for four
years next to come, as we'll as the faithful and
honest representation of the sentiments and inter-
ests ofits people in the State Legislature-renders
it doubly imperative that those offices should not
be resigned without struggle into incompetent or
deavor to obstruct the access of the honest citizen
to the polls, and which may render difficult, and
even dangerous any attempt to deposit his ballot,
so far from eXcusing the voter from any
further attempt to assert his rights increases ten
fold the obligation npon him, to do all in his
power to rescue the ballot-box from such Keeping.
Let not any citizen suppose that the failure of the
authorities to do their duty, can absolve him from
the obligation to do his. The demands of patriot
ism rise in proportion to the necessities of the
State, and citizenship has its obligations and re-
sponslolles, which are not less solemn and weigh
ty than those of official station, and no amount of
treachery or delinquency, on the part of the con-
stituted authorities, can be pleaded in excuse for
their non-fulflment By every consideration.
therefore, of public duty as well as private inter-
est, the friends Of Reform are bound to perseyere
in their efforts to rescue and redeem this CITY,
Experience has demonstrated that the only way to
achieve success is by organization Let organza-
tion then proceed without DELAY in all the wards
of the city. Each ward should be blocked
for the purpose of ascertaining, if possible the
name and residence of every legal voter with view
to the detection and punishment of the frauds that
will undoubtedly be attempted. Committees
should be in attendance at all the polls to aid the
honest voter-to challenge the illegal one-to see
that every man casts his vote who is entitled to do
SOTO note carefully whether the police and Judges
do their whole duty, and to prosecute every viola
ton of law which may occur. Citizens every
where, should prepare to defend themselves and
each other, against brutal violence and wrong. If
our police were the best in the world instead of
being in league with the riotous and disorderly,
1t would be no reason why any man should quietly
submit 10 be stabbed with avis, 10 be beaten with
billies, or perforated with bullets-or even stand
byand witness another subjected to such treatment.
we DO not counsel now, nor have we ever coun-
SEIZED, resistance to the authorities or resort to
violence. We do insist upon, however, and that
without qualification, the right of self-defence