The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-11-05
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS ON THE BALTI-
M

SOMMENIS OF 1dE fhESS ON The BALI1-
MORE ELECTION.
We give again to-day the comments of papers of
different cities and of every grade of party upon
our recent election. The Washington correspon-
dent of the Philadelphia Press says:
The good people of Baltimore are to be commise-
rated Every man who ponders over the details of
the last election asks himself, Where is all this to
end? The Governor of Maryland sympathizes
with the officials of the city, so that those of the
population of Baltimore who desire peaceful cleo
tons and humane and orderly administration of
the municipal government have no present practi-
cal remedy This is a frightul condition ofthings,
and without parallel, and especially when
feet that it has been maintained for more than four
years, and bids fair to be continued to bloody end.
What is to be done? Either the people of Balti-
more must submit to the rule of ruifianism, and
give up their rights, or they must abandon the
city in which thousands of them were born and
own property; or they must arm themselves and in
sst upon their rights at the point of the bayonet.
One Of these alternatives will, no doubt be tacity
or formally agreed upon.
few years ago an attempt was made by num-
Der of citizens of Baltimore to organise in military
bands to protect themselves; but this was aban-
doned, because the evil had not then reached its
present height. An appeal was next taken to the
Governor, who would have acted had not civil war
been threatened as a consequence of his action
What renders this case more complicated and ORR
gnal is the fact that there is no city in the Union
in which there are more men of talent and admit
ted courage than in Baltimore. The bar-includ-
ing such men as John V. L. Mcmahon, Teackle
Wallis, John Nelson, Henry May, Charles F. May
er, Benjamin C. Howard, Charles Pitts, John p
Kennedy, Reverdy johnson, Robert NJ. McLane,
John C. LeGrand and John H. Latrobe-has al
ways welded immense influence, while among the
citizens to be found many still living who
fought with the greatest gallantry during the late
war, and who would be ornament to any CITY,
Many of the old families are in possession of large
wealth.. These elements combined, in any other
pIf llTlr thnt-o il, r. H.
lie opinion, would be irresistible. 1t is amazing,
however, to see how utterly they have failed after
the best efforts, in Baltimore.
do not think that any censure can Justly be be-
slowed upon the good people of Baltimore in refer
to their efforts prior to, and during the cleo
ton yesterday. They did all that men could do,
but an uncomfortable fanaticism seems to have
taken possession OF portion of the community,
Transforming them into savages and making every
contest at the polls a of crime and carnage
on will notice that this is conflict between for
eigners and Americans. The leaders of the nfobs
are natives of the neighborhood, and are their
followers while those opposite to them natives
also. The Germans and Irish generally seem to
take it for granted that they have no right to vote
and rarely exercise the privilege. The impression
left by the events of yesterday has been painful be-
yond description, and will no doubt produce some
fearful consequences. hope for the best 1t is in
vain to deny that the commerce and prosperity of
Baltimore have been greatly, if not fatally retard-
ed, and that it will take years to give her proper
tee, such as rescued California from the clutches of
assassns and robbers, seems to be about the only
remedy spoken Of and when that is resorted to,
many valuable life will no doubt be sacrificed.
While the politicians attempting to make po-
litcal capital out of the adventure of eighteen or
twenty reckless fanatics. led by mad man. at Har-
per's Ferry, am impelled to ask whether the row.
dies who roam over the city Of Baltimore taking
human lie without mercy, and driving respectable
citizens from the polls, amid innumerable insults
and injuries, are not deserving of popular CON
demnation, and as worthy of the gallows as "Old
John Brown" and his associates? As a nation we
raised our voice against the wanton attacks made
by the fiibusters of the South upon Cuba and Cen.
trail America. As nation we are now raising orr
voice against the still more wanton attacks of
Brown and his associates upon the peaceful people
OF Virginia. repeat, cannot see the difference
between the pirate who invades neighboring ma
ton, with which we are at peace and the fanatic
who carries fire and sword into a sister State and
the deliberate and combined bood-thirsty ruffian-
Ism that, IN the midst of an intelligent, refined and
educated community, which roams abroad with its
dagger and its revolver, dealing death upon the
most venerable, beloved, and Influential citizens.
FROM the Philadelphia Erening Journal, (OppoSition)
Noc. Sd.
The State and Congressional election in Baltimore
took place yesterday, rather did not take place
as it would be gross msnomer to dignity scenes
OF unchecked violence and mob supremacy with
the title of an election. The rowdies and "Plug
Ugles" took entire possession of the POLLS and the
peaceable and orderly citizens had no opportunity
to vote. The city is virtually in state of revolu-
ton, and all law and authority are set at defiance
Human life has been sacrificed, and civil order
practically annulled. And yet it is most humilia-
ting confession of weakness and fear on the part of
one Of the oldest and largest cities of the Union,
that comparatively small band of desperadoes
could, in effect, dsfranchise population of three
hundred thousand souls, especially when pre-
vious riots had forewarned them of the assault
which would be made upon the elective fran
chise, and when an attempt had been made at
an organization for protection against violent and
fraudulent voting. 1t is disgrace to the CITY that
such scenes should be enacted, in despite-or with
the CONFERENCE.-The municipal government and
to the serious prejudice of the interests of its law
abiding citizens. But the past cannot be recalled
and it should afford its lesson for future precaution
and effort Let the election of yesterday then be
utterly ignored, and let the decided and overwhelm-
ing demand for election be insisted on and if
the great majority-for such we suppose it to be
Of the citizens of Baltimore cannot protect them
selves against the recurrence of similar violence
and the rule of rOwdes they deserve, and will re-
celve from others, not particle of sympathy
There is evidently crisis in the affairs of that CITY,
and if its honest citizens not prepared to meet
it, let them succumb at once to mob rule and ad-
NIT that the experiment liberty and of free ins-
tutions is with them melancholy and disgraceful
failure