The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-03-29
THE LA TIE MASS MEETING IN MONUMENT

SQOARE.S
To the Editors of the Daily Exchange:
1T is fast becoming matter of doubt If mass meet
ing could be got up in this city any subject Since
the advent of the secret club rule the of
the slung shot and the billy public meetings have be-
come obsolete"
Messrs. Editors-In the editorial department of
the Republican and Argus, Of the issue of last Sat
urday, the language of the above caption was used
IN reference to meeting which to have been
held at Monument Square, on the preceding even
lng for the purpose of giving expression to public
sentiment in connection with the project of grant
ing an obnoxious monopoly the right to use the
streets OF Baltimore City for railway transmission
purposes, upon terms pregnant with Injustice and
significant of legislative corruption; and although
the sentiments quoted are not suggestive of RENE
dial measures for the hour of evil which is upon
us, they are strongly and truthfully Indicative of
the lamentable condition of our city.
The fact that public meeting of our citizens
was called in the spirit of our Institutions and for
a legitimate end, and that it was interrupted and
defeated in its ncipiency by gangs Of lawless men
and notorious blackguards is not n matter or
theme for laughter, but should be calculated Sc
rlously to stir the inquiry to what right does
any law abiding citizen of Baltimore enjoy that is
not tho boon of the rowdy element that controls
IN some way or other, every department of our
1t Is no longer a mooted question that life and
property are here held by very precarious and
capricous tenure, and that the right that has been
wont to be held in the highest estimation the rpht
-,
Bile under the institution of Liberty, is has been
most Individually and lamentably demonstrated
only exercised through the sderance of that very
element. Where do we stand? What is to be our
destiny? "What scene hath Roscius next to enact?"
are questions which challenge the grave considera-
ton of every one who has an interest in this COM
munity. Who doubts that the very rufians that
threw into the street the lights which had been
placed on the railing of the Court House premises
on Monument Square, the evening of Friday last
would, with the aid of their ready coadjutors in
crime; have thrown over the ratings also, or
drenched in blood if resistance had been offered
the men who would have had the tcmeritv to or
ganize and conduct the meeting? Those who have
held the city an errorem, always EARNED to the
"teah to assert murders prerogativc and the yery
fact of notice having appeared in The American
on the morning of Friday, calling a meeting of the
friends of the bill, (Which has now passed both
branches of the City Council,) at the same place
and at the same extraordinary hour at which the OPP
ponents of that measure were to hold meeting, is
proof of the wicked intentions of the former
Such concurrences not within the chapter of
accidents.
1t is not my purpose to make an argument in
reference to the merits the dement's of the bill
passed, or the other one which had been suggested
for laying rails on our public thoroughfares for the
accommodation OF the citizens. Important as NAV
be such grant it sinks into utter nsignfcance
when weighed in the balance with the right of the
people to convene in public manner, and for the
peaceable and lawful purpose of discussing mea-
sures that may concern the general veal. 1t is really
10 when, anu IN what manner, shall be
deposited the "last drop that makes the cup run
"over?" for "ours has long been full" The ballot
box has again and again been both closed and
stuffed at the caprice of Its possessors Rightfu
and aw-abding citizens have been beaten and muir
dered for attempting to exercise guaranteed fran
chise. Murder has stalked on the most public high
ways, as stalks the headsman behind the victim of
the laws. The press has been assaulted by the arm
of violence for daring to speak of the perpetrators
OF lawess deeds, and the assaants of that palfa-
dunn of liberty have strutted unframed and with
mpunlty's swagger, in the broad dav and in the
public gaze, by the very premises which the of
fence was committed Men have been slaughtered
in cool blood for testifying against crime in Court
OF Justice, and 1t Is most nationally conectured
that Others have been rejected by the convention of
local legislature for serving on iures in cases
that involved the highest crime known to the laws
And now, citizens, who bear the burden of sup
porting the city government-who are taxed for the
protection of their rights their persons and their
propose to meet in public manner on a question
OF public import, lawlessness nterposes its Veto
and the paid authorities say not nav to the latter
because the treason against laws in that instance is
not disagreeable to them. Really, it would seem
that our moral atmosphere has become so pestifer-
ous-the public sense so familiarized to wrong and
outrage-that the commission of each new offence
only awakens the thought that "this is all and
nothing more
l say, Messrs. Editors, that the recent occur
renee to which have referred, is but the BEGIN
ming of the end that will, if unchecked close the
lips OF public sentiment, and manacle the limbs to
the vllest despotism that ever disgraced humanity
Will you, therefore, that have already done so
much in the exposition ofwrong and in averting
evil, appropriate, for time, your abilities as pub
lie journalists to the discussion of this subject and
by the process awaken the people of Baltimore to
the consideration of the crisis that is even now i'm
pending? peaceful remedy is desirable-a 70 rel
Die one may become necessary. CVIs.