The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-10-06

If evil communications corrupt good manners,
it is consolatory, at all events to know that bad
manners are sometimes mended by contact with
those which are better. Mr.. JOHN HINsLEY has
given his fellowctzens pleasant evidence of this
refreshing truth. Hitherto Mr.. HINsLEY has
been chiefly known to the public through his rela-
tons with the Criminal Court its officers and Gus
TONER'S and although his intercourse with Judge
STUMP and Mr.. WHITNEY was, doubtless profit
able to him. in the line of his former profession it
certainly did not tend much to the improvement of
his morals, manners reputation. But Mr..
HINsLEY, it seems, has done with all that He
has gone into the City Council business. He has
renewed the ancient and mutually agreeable and
honorable relations which once united him so
closely with the Getty Government and its dis
tinguished head. He has been selected, by the
American Party, to represent its dignity and
interests, as a member of the ''Muncipal Legisla-
f'ture'' from the Tenth Ward. That post of honor
he does not mean to decline. Nay, the very an
ticipation of reaching it, after "a noble, manly
''contest, crowned with victory" has already
filled him with the large ideas and splendid senti-
ments which make the atmosphere of the City Hall
delightful and exharating to all who breathe it.
Indeed, it is wonderful to see to what extent his
new associations have already wrought upon him.
Inspired by the success of the many similar
efforts with which the "City Executive has
grati6ed his feow-citizens, and given occupation
to the press, Mr.. HINsLEY, also, has published
an address to the world. 1t is astonishing to
see how nearly he has approached in it, with
single stride, to the excellence which is obviously
his model. In simple, unostentatious rhetoric-in
purity, freshness, candor and selfsacrifce-n that
spirit of patriotic selfdedcation, and modest con-
cealment of his own merits, which have made the
numerous discourses letters, messages and adj
dresses of Mr. SWAMI, so attractive to all persons
of taste and judgment-Nr HNsLEY has fallen
but little short of his great prototype. Indeed
but for single passage-that in which Mr..
HINsLEY declares that he
-"beieves Hon Thomas Swami, without equi, ocation
Observation-Disclosures of what has been may
said by his few enemies-to be the best Mayor Baltimore
has ever had''-
we could have almost fanced that the experienced
hand of the older rhetorician had guided the less
familiar pen of his aspiring friend and follower.
'GMy first impulse, says Mr.. HINsLEY,
after being appraised of the honor conferred was to
gracefully acknowledge the compliment and resign eav
ing open field for some one else This thought of
from any want of confidence in my ability to fill the
Office satisfactorily as others heretofore have done but
because private interests important character might
in conflict with public duties. l already have an
office, connected with my regular business located in
North Calvert street, TO transact the duties of which
quires most of my time and attention This to me- is
worth much than the trifing per diem of a city
councilman. Pecuniary, therefore, have nothing
to gain, but much to lose in being elected public Of
fee Every good citizen however has duties reaching
beyond and rising above mere selfinterested consider
ations.n
How gracefully this recalls to us the tone of Mr.
SwAEN's late "address to the Public''!
81 not dependent" says he, "on official station
have not sought this place, and my fellow
citizens of all parties that when shall be convinced of
any withdrawal of confidence the part of the great
body of the people who placed me here shall be too
happy the trust which they twice con
ferred upon me- into their hands" d..
How it awakens the more distant echoes of his
well remembered discourse at Temperance Tenn
pie when he accepted the nomination. which was
endorsed last flll-as he said to his friends the
cred Necks''-by the most GLORIOUS victory
fever won on American soil' These were his
devoted words
Beieve when say that it is the cause and not the of
fee binds to your service, should be wanting
in duty to this city in duty to yourselves whose repre-
sentative have BEEN in duty to the humble VIII
have endeavored to build by Of devotion the
public interests il suffered any considerations of per-
ona to cause me to shrink from such an opp0rtun
ty of indicating both principles and the part have
borne u the past administration Of this city,
NJ was anxious, indeed" adds Mr.. HINsLEY,
-'that the honor of a nomination should have been
bestowed upon other individual, more competent
than myself"
So also, said Mr. SWAMI:
"Hoyeyer anxious might have felt to have resigned
this trust into other hands, my wishes
to be consulted"
Again says Mr.. HNsLEY,
otis privilege everywhere acknowledged and duty
universally conceded to repent Of and correct errors to
shane our future from the past and do what
conceive to right though erring in the common faty
ofjudgment This, fellowcitizens is my platform and
make no promises hey ond it, Let him who knows
himself better throw the first stone +" BOO
Do we not seem to be listening to Mr.. SWAMI,
as that gentleman declares
ssThat have erred-in Judgment often--tbat have
been mised sometimes, ready at all times admit
nut that have ever prostituted high office which
hold used its power for purposes other than the public
welfare invite the seveest scrutiny into my official
conduct?
Do we not seem to hear him say
81 can make no pledges or promises future My
past intentions the only guarantee can offer'?
IA Primary meeting" says Mr.. HNsLEY,
"sauctioned by prominent members of said party,
called 70 assemble certain evening Its object was
M secret Every voter OF the ward had an equal right
n attend and those who did not simply proved rem1s in
the discharge important duty This, however, was
fault of mine"
So also discourses Mr.. SWAMI, dpropos of the
Reformers
at to me, fellowcitizens, that great deal Of
what complain Of in the conduct Of elections is due
to the apathy indifference OF our citizens When has
been customary for property holders and men OF bust
tions originator, III
Finally, says Mr.. HIssLEy, summoning his sol
diers to the ramparts-
ST am an American by birth and in evsr .,;.,. |
also American in politics. and an uncor;;
member Of the American party. 1 have no a poinsng
offer for maintaining, publicly and privately n, 70
cardinal principles They potent evident
which, as time progresses, must take root deepsr I
stronger in every American heart We are now th
strong citadel OF Americansm in this Republic
boosted flag floats majestcay upon proud battle
meuts. Let then the temple he sackad -.