The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-07-27

When the difficulties with which the Park Com.
nissioners had TO deal are duly considered by the
pubc, it cannot hesitate, we think, to approve of
their action in selecting Druid Hill as the location
or the contemplated Park. 1t must be remem-
bered that the community, with unexampled una
nmitv, insisted upon having Park at least five
hundred acres, rather than multitude of little
SQUARES such as we have heretofore bought and
embellished for the use of the public, and digni6ed
with the name of pleasure grounds. 1t was not
10 be expected that SO much land as was required
could be procured in the centre OF the city, or in
deed, within our municipal limits. 1t was impos-
sible, therefore, that any tract could be secured
which would be equally convenient to all parts
of the town As the Park had to be placed some
where on or beyond our borders, it would, no
matter where located, be remote from some
quarters of the city. When it became necessary
TO 90 so far from the point around which our
population is most densely grouped, it does
not seem matter of much Importance
whether the situation which is selected is half
mile or so nearer farther. In the present in
stance the difference between most of the sites
offered to the Commissioners was, so far as dis
lance was concerned very slight, and they acted
like reasonable men in refusing to permit any
single advantage or objection TO determine them
to accept Or reject any particular locality. They
weighed, and apparently with great fairness and
Judgment all the considerations which could be
urged for or against the various tracts They
considered the cheapness, the beauty, and the ac-
cessibty of every site, as well as its distance
from the centre Of the city, and after a careful
review Of the reasons they have given for their
final action we see no cause for the dissatisfaction
which is said to exist On the contrary, the peo-
pie have every reason 10 congratulate themselves
on the result, and on the manner in which it has
been brought about. Until it is demonstrated to
us that a handsomer, nearer and more economi-
cal Park than Druid Hill, and of equal size
could have been procured we must cordially
ratify the choice of the Commissioners; and we
are sure the community agrees with us in thinking
that no public business of the same magnitude
and importance has of late years, been conducted
and concluded here as speedily and as honestly
as this. But whatever differences of opinion NAV
exist about the fitness of the place selected, the
conduct of the Commissioners ought to be can
vasSed considerably and fairly for they have GER
tainly been both prompt and upright in the dis.
charge of an arduous duty 1t is to be regretted,
therefore, that they have been assailed with such
violence by those who disapprove of their pro-
ceedings, and every right-thinkng man will, we
are sure, condemn in the most unqualified terms
the course which an influential journal has thought
proper to pursue in regard to it. The virulence
with which the Sun has treated this subject is only
surpassed by the absurdity of the comments it has
made upon 1t. While it processes to deprecate all
attempts to set the poor against the rich,'' it
INDUCES In furious and windy TRADE against the
Commissioners, which can by no possibility be
productive of any other result
Had the city authorities it says been selected for
me express purpose OF leglang and working out re-
SUI IN which the masses of the people should be taxed
anu made tributary to the convenience qualification and
Pop ana show of the arstocracy of Baltimore nothing
nave been better devised than the plot and plans
?atu!rln? 10 mat end COM
mission appointed to select site for this Park and as
II 10 confirm what all suspected site is deliberately an
nonced to the people Immediately accessible to what is
eu the fashionable pant OF the city, where the car
ages and horses of the rich and arisocrac may daily
ana hourly bear their owners to its enjoyment0
Had the case been fairly stated here, we might
take occasion to discuss the course Of the Commits
sloners at greater length. But as no man can fol-
n moment believe that The Commissioners delber-
ateiy sought to accommodate fashionable people
at the expense of those who live more plainly
or desired TO give the rich any advantages oyel
the poor, TO consult the convenience of the few
by sacrificing the comfort of the manv-we
prefer to dismiss the wretched twadde with
out pausing to expose the f1ippancy and
folly Of such accusations. All this foolish talk
about "the aristocracy'' has, we hope. had its
day. Who are the aristocrats of Baltimore. or of
any other American city? They are men who,
for the most part, began life without dollar,
and owe to their integrity and indomita-
BILE energy that they have now the place and for
tune at which feeble men are so prone to sneer
If carriages and horses 'daily and hourly" bear
them to places of public resort, who has better
right to such Injuries than those whose industry
and activity has enabled them to accumulate the
means with which to procure them? What in
Superaole obstacle IS there to prevent the poorest
and humblest artisan among us from taking his
place one day among the proudest and richest in
the landf How absurd, then, is it for dema-
gogues to teach, and for their hearers to believe
mat there Is or ought to be in this country any
antagonlSm between the rich and the poor. What
ioHy Is 1t 10 array men against each other, be-
cause one is unprosperous and his next door
helghbor has been more successful II is at all
tl'neS plhful and contemplate thing to stir up
'''red and enmity between classes, but when these
feelings are appealed to in an instance like the
present, we are at loss TO characterize such con-
duet in fitting terms