The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-10-25

In most civilized countries it is great advan-
tage to citizen to have led upright life, and to
have discharged faithfully all his social duties.
The legal presumption which holds all men to be
innocent until proven otherwise, is dolbly strong
in his case and the ministers of justice hesitate to
accuse him upon the same slight suspicious that
would Justify the arrest of notorious offender. 1t
is held, and PROPERLY So in all well-governed COM
munties that if the authorities ever bound to
be especially prompt to investigate the injury done
to any man and afford him the necessary redress,
he has the clearest claim to their consideration
and sympathy who has rendered uniform obedi-
ence to the laws, and always demeaned himself
with strict regard TO the privileges of his fellows
This is the only chest governed city" extant in
which the contrary practice is pursued, and where
outlaws have the vantage ground of honest people
They are not only allowed the largest liberty by
those whose duty is to maintain the public peace
but every techncality and evasion is resorted to
by those who should punish crime to screen its
perpetrators from merited retribution. When the
corporate authorities cannot or will not afford us
protection they repudiate the right of the Execu-
tive of the State to interfere. If they are power
less to hold back the rufians who, with lifted
hands, are rushing TO assault us, they deny that
the SHERIFF is under any obligation to assist US.
IF we ask that the assailants be held in adequate
security to keep the peace we are told that mags-
trates are bound to release them when coniedc-
rate swears that he is worth the paitry amount Of
the bond required. If we appeal to Grand Juries,
they suggest legal doubts or discuss questions fex-
pediency. Ifweturn 10 theSTATE's ATTORNEY we are
Of IN thn 6ccl,at md
none look to the Judge except with the hope of
seeing him indicted. When we are so rudey and
savagey molesled as to be prevented from exer-
cising our lawful privileges, we are told that we
have only been unduly Crowded." and when
we would stand upon the defensive against an
imminent and openly threatened attack, we are
charged with melting riot, and dragged off to
the station houses. Familiar bullies may sur
round the balot-boxes, and beat and abuse
the unofending people who must stand still
and suffer- for they know that any resistance
too often adds the policeman to the number of
their assailants This condition of things, it is
asserted cannot be helped, for the Constitution is
faulty and the laws defective. An absolute repeal
of the statutes of Maryland could scarcely do
more to nulfy them than has been already done
interpret them Nor is this all, for while we en-
deavor to avail ourselves of the imbecile powers,
still conceded to exist, we experience all the bit
terness of the Claws delay and the ''insolence
''of office" All complaints have usually been
treated as groundless clamors by the MAYOR, and
the representative of the STATES ATTORNEY has
audacousy suggested that beaten citizen re-
ceived only half of what he deserved. Decent
men must face contumely and intimidation when
their rights have been wantonly invaded, and
they presume to seek redress; for the most notori-
Gus and hal itual vioators of the law crowd the
approaches to the judicial and executive depart
ments of our Municipal Government and their
words weigh down the averments of law-abiding
men. We believe we have not, in thus treating
our affairs, exaggerated their lamentable aspect,
Where then does the responsibility for all this
rest? Is it fact that the laws inherently i'm
potent and useless, or have they been rendered so
by the shackles deliberately thrown around them
by those to whose keeping they entrusted :?
They were considered strong and active enough |
to avenge fragrant outrages only few years ago.
and it is difficult to conceive why they cannot now
strike the indicted and unndicted ruffians who so
boldly violate and defy them in the light of open
day and before the faces of hundred citizens. 1t
is not true that the sword of justice has rustea in
its sheath, but il is because weak and corrupt
hands WELD it, that its blows are now so nfrequent
and so feeble. The Constitution, bad as it is, is |
less in fault than those who have been elected to |
Office under its provisions Change these and in
stall in their places faithful and determined men,
and under their administration the majesty Of the |
law will resume its accustomed sway. 1t will |
purge the Criminal Court of the ribald mbecility |
that now dshonOrs it it will pass with terrible |
significance into the haunts of criminals; it will |
dsperse with a strong arm the lawlessness that |
now defes it; it will summon well known felons
to answer for undeniable misdeeds; it will impress
upon the conservators of the public peace a sense
of their plain duties and of the danger of assisting
or conniving at wrongs. 1t will release Justice
from the tortuous and narrow ways in which alone
it is now permitted to walk, and send it forth
through the community to awe evil doors, and to
give good and honest citizens full assurance of fu