The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-11-03

get LOT Cnem. Oucn VIII Dc the nrst fruits OF
the first battle Of the "irrepressible conflict"
The Election Riots IN Baltimore-Row-
dyism and Murder Rampant.
It becomes our painful duty again to call at
tention to the fresh scenes of violence and muir
der by which Baltimore was yesterday dis
graced. Peaceful citizens, exercising their
right Of franchise, were not only driven from
thepolls, but many were shot down in the streets.
Although the reformers resisted with arms, the
roughs were everywhere triumphant, and the
privilege of voting, so far as it was attempted
to be exercised by the former, was completely
put stop to. The local elements of rufian-
ism not being deemed strong enough for the
work, armed gangs of rowdies from Washing
ton were brought in to their assistance. The
CONSERVATION and terror into which the whole
city was thrown by these proceedings may
readily be imagined The houses Of business
were closed, and the streets presented all the
aspects of o beleaguered town. Everywhere
that the reformers showed themselves indi-
vidually, they were shot at or pursued with
drawn swords Up to the last accounts, up
wards Of thirty persons were reported killed or
wounded, many Of them belonging to the
roughs, for on this occasion the reform party,
it appears, acted with considerable spirit
1t win be asked what the authorities Of Bal
timore we're doing whilst the rights of one por-
ton of electors, and that the most respectable,
were being thus shamefully violated. There is
but too much reason to believe that, if not vii.
fully conniving at, they made but little exer-
ton to stem the tide Of rufaanism and sangui-
nary violence by which the polls were invaded.
This conclusion is forced upon us by the fact
that, when Mr.. Martin, the reform Judge in the
Tenth ward, was compelled by intimidation to
quit his post, he was replaced by Mr.. Hinsley,
who had been appointed by acting Mayor Mayo
and rejected by the Council The culpable in
difference Of the Sheriff Is made manifest by
the severe rebuke addressed to him by Judge
Giles, Of the United States District Court, who
told him that he would be held responsible for
the blood that was shed, as he had the au-
thority, and It was his duty to interfere
After the vain efforts Of the reform party to
relieve themselves from the intolerable despot-
ism by which their rights as citizens are arbi-
trarily taken from them, and their lives placed
In continual jeopardy, we see NO chance Of SAL
walton for Baltimore except in vigilance COM
mittee. The remedy Is desperate one, but SO is
the disease It will be impossible to continue thus
to fight the battle Of electoral freedom at the
point of the sword. The repetition of such
scenes would bring worldwide disgrace, not
only upon that city, but on republican institu-
tons generally. To conquer the right to vote
in security the Baltimore people can no longer
await the slow action Of the laws, or the still
slower operation Of political or party agencies
We deplore, in common with every respecter
Of authority, the necessity Of having recourse
to such measure; but experience of the des-
perate elements of which portion of the popu-
lation Of Baltimore is composed forces upon us
the conviction that In the interests of the gene
raj safety 1t can no longer be postponed.
It Is evident that, were such outrages upon
public and private rights, such daring and I'M
scrupulous violations of the law and Of public
order, to be perpetrated with impunity year
afteryear In place so important as Baltimore,
the evil example would ultimately spread to
other of our principal cities, and our boasted
privileges as citizens Of this republic would
soon be nullity. To prevent this any measure
is justiAable- return to first principles
when the urgency Of the case admits Of no other
remedy.