The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-29

The american, admitting the "present deplora-
'ble condition of affairs in our city," and the ne
cessty of speedy remedy therefor, issued last
week a call for Town-Meeting, which was to in
augurate and direct the work of reformation.
About this movement we have been SILENT solely
because we desired maturely to consider and I'M
derstand its purposes and probable results. We
have thoroughly and fairly considered it as it has
been explained and advocated for the last few days
in the columns in which it was first announced,
and have seen nothing to change the views with
which we originally regardedit. The project WASH
its inception avowedy party measure, and, as
such it concerns not us to NEEDLE with, or indeed
discuss it, We care nothing for an opportunity to
express Jas The american phrases it, our cutter
''deteStaon Of the ruffian element which tyranni-
''zes over the American party in its nominations"
What we desire is an opportunity to express our
adherence of, and to repress forever the rufanism
which rules, insults and defes this whole people, and
not to assist merely in checking its nsubordinaon
for the benefit of the party to which for the time
being it may belong. We want that which will
insure free and honest election-the preservation
of peace and order upon election day-the protec-
ton of every legal voter--the security of chalen-
gers-the honesty of judges, and the nomination
OF respectable, trustworthy and independent men.
No measure is ample enough which provides at its
outset only for the rights of some one faction,
clique or party-none is honest enough which fails
to recognize atits inception the equal claims of each
and every man in this community.
Nor is the method by which The american pro-
poses to effect its objects, calculated TO command
our confidence. We do not care to ask the CO.
operation ofMr. SWAMI, or to solicit his permits
sion 10 defend our liberties and lives. What The
american desires Mr.. SWAMI to donow, is nothing
more than he has been bound to do at all times
heretofore. The assurances it requires of him now,
are those which he has given not once but repeat
eddy, and in language as strong and solemn as
man could use. The american invited men
to trust to his integrity a year ago, when
on the eve of his election it said-s:that
me Will use all the power of hecity government to
protect helega voters in the exercise of the elective
franchise we have every confidence" After
that election it was still satisfied with Mr.
SwANN's integrity and capacity for it was sas-
'sured that orders had been issued of the most
comprehensive character to insure full and
adequate protection" Are we fools or children
that we are asked TO witness the repetition of this
same bald farce? We do not allude to these
things through any disposition to impugn the
motives, or TO cayil at the past conduct of The
American. The present is not the time to analyze
the causes which have forced it into the posi-
ton it has now assumed, nor to question
its sincerity, nor to contrast its inconsistent
cies. We point to the past simply to show
the tutility Of any effort which is to derive its
efficacy mainly from the cooperation of the
MAYOR
We hope to see an organization formed for the
purposes we have indicated about whose scope
and direction there will be no cause for suspicion
or complaint, and strong enough to overawe the law
less let municipal authority take what course ii may
Let such movement be fairly and disinterestedy
inaugurated, and let really Independent and ca
pable candidates be honestly nominated, and we
are indifferent about the quarter whence these
things may come
We have been furnished with copy of call
for Town-Neeting, to be held in Monument
square, on Monday, the fifth of September, at
four clock in the afternoon 1t is addressed TO
cizens irrespective of party" and we learn that it
is published at the instance of large number of in
influential and well-known merchants In no wav
connected with this latter movement, we have not
sufficient information to justify us in speaking at
this time, very precisely of its claims to public con-
tdence But unless, in endeavoring to estimate its
worth, we have greatly erred, it will be produc-
tive OF good, for we have reason to hope that no
party considerations will control it, and that its
measures will be such as the exigency of the time
requires. rf.s--.. .