The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-28

The Reform Committee in determining upon the
measures to be adopted to insure the preservation
of peace and the protection of citizens at the
ensuing elections, must decide upon such as will
inspire the community with confidence, or their
labors will go for naught. Even if the means de-
vised should prove efiicacous when finally tested
still they will be productive only of barren results
unless the people are satisfied beforehand that
they cannot miscarry. The object of the Commit
tee which is to procure for every legal voter free
| and unobstrucied access to the ballot-box may be
defeated as well by their failure to dissipate the
fears that possess mems minds, as by their inabli
| ty TO sweep away the armed ruffanism which
crowds the approaches to the polls. In q case like
this to be thought weak is equivalent to being
powerless in fact This is too important consid-
Grafton to be lost sight of, and we would again
insist upon the necessity of having something
better to rely on than the mere promises of the
MAYOR. These can at any time be obtained with
out the assistance of Committees or Town-Meetings
but no movement which undertakes to command
persuade this people TO accept them as unailing
evidences of the acts to follow them can be other
wise than futile.
In 1851 the MAYOR pledged his word that the
laws should be enforced, and the rights of the
citizens defended. He said, in his letter to Gov
ernor LIGoY, that he would ''use his best en-
'deavors to that every citizen is protected in
''his constitutional rights, and that the peace of
''the city is preserved by every means at his dis
sposal." The election which followed this cor
respondence, and almost before its ink was dry,
brought shame upon our people and disgrace
upon our institutions: In 1853 the MAYOR gave
the same assurances, which, in his subsequent
message to the Council, he aludes to and protests
the sincerity of his desire 'that the laws should
''be faithfully executed and the humblest citizen
''be protected in his rights" But the election
held that year, also, was a mockery which again
dishonored us, and brought down afresh the con-
tempt of men upon our system of government
In 1859 the MAYOR has determined to exercise
''all the powers with which he is clothed )" TO
ensure a fair and peaceful election. He asks for
cooperation and-will it be believed ?-for conf
dence likewise. Some may accord him this. if
they will, but they cannot complain that others
refuse to follow their example Still less are they
authorized to condemn as too suspicious those
who decline thrice to lean upon broken reed, or
to denounce as incendiary those who, in strong
but honest language, speak of the perfdy
or weakness which has twice betrayed
them. If we have failed to discourse
of these things in phrases which are mod
crate in all save adulation, it is because the
law has clothed us with privileges not inferior to
those exercised by others, and when these are torn
| from US by jeering mob we believe we know the
language in which it becomes US to express our
indignation. Mr.. SWAMI has not done his duty
fairly and manfully by this community, and We
among Others have suffered indignity and griev-
Gus wrong through his neglect, and we propose,
while speech is yet free, to comment on this public
servant in terms that be6 the occasion and the man.
Nor will we comply with the novel custom which
would require us to enter MAYORS office on ALI
fours. With four hundred armed policeman at his
back, the MAYOR has seen repeated elections held at
which no sufficient security against violence or
fraud was provided, and no adequate steps were
taken TO uphold the laws. To his incapacity or
dishonesty must be ascribed the disasters of those
days. He was situated then as he is now, and
he could not or would not give US proper protec-
ton. lie may assume either of these propositions
he pleases, but we will no more lorego our rights
Judgment we believe his dereictions to deserve.
than we will consent to waive all comments
on the deeds done by the meanest man among
us to the detriment of the public welfare
We do not intend then to abstain from comment
on the past nor do we believe that they who ig-
more it and refuse TO receive instruction from its
lessons, can counsel wisely about the future 1t is
the experience of the last few years that causes us
complain so loudly of our grievances, and in the
face of it how can we bow down before the
MAYOR and feel neither hesitation nor distrust?
1t is this very mistrust uf the authorities which
has led our citizens to support so cordially the
Reform movement and which induces us to hope
that the Of the Committee will be such as TO
inspire men with full confidence in its measures
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