The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-01-16

As it seems daily more and more probable tina t
the Legislature will adopt the Police Bill submitted
TO it, the asprants for the offices to be created are
multiplying rapidly. The wheel-horses that were
wont to draw the Democratic chariot, even through
the muddiest places-the leaders that only pressed
forward in the traces when they desired to direct
its course-and the foundered hacks that are will
ing to go again into harness, are all in full trot
towards the public crib. Their sagacious noses
have scented the provender, and with pricked ears
and whinny Of satisfaction, each is making such
play as his condition will permit, TO outstrp his
fellows and secure stall. 1t might have been
anticipated by every one not wholly ignorant of
human nature that men would be found who even
in crisis as serious the present, are incapable
of sacrificing personal or party ends to the common
good. Unless, therefore, the Legislature shall lift
itself above the region in which mean motives
and crooked designs will be wrangling for pre-
eminence and shall look at the subject it is called
upon TO deal with, from loftier stand-p than
some would have it occupy, the Police Bill, if
enacted, will be worse than useless There are
times when even legislators, without compromising
the general welfare or their own integrity may be
lnHuthCeu ny party CoHSluerduOnS, Dut lnere are
moments, and this is one of them, when partisan
ship and patriotism are irreconclable. The con-
dition of things here, and the state of public
opinion are such that no measure can be productive
of benefit TO this city, unless its purposes are as pure
as its provisions are stringent. Any amendment of
the Charter that would simply transfer certain
powers from one set Of partsans to another, which
commands in no larger measure the confidence
of the community would plunge us more deeply
in sea of uncertainties and trials. To view the
evils that now threaten the peace and prosperity
of Baltimore as mere issues between two political
organizations, would be downright faulty, and
to act upon any such hypothesis, would entail up
on us irretrevable disasters. The questions to be
settled here, involve matters of more importance
to this people than Presidential contest is like to
hinge on. There has been too much murder in
our streets-too much fraud at our polls--too
much villainy in our municipal government-too
much corruption in our Court-too much insecu-
rty, in short, for persons, privileges and property
throughout our City. The laws are at the mercy
of the lawless and freedom chiefly exists in the
form of ruthless license. 1t because these facts
were so palpabe that the Democratic party stood
aoofhere disbandcd and inactive, and together with
honest men Of every shade of political feeling
cheered on the Reform movement While this
cause had the warm sympathies of the vast mass
of order-oving and upright citizens of every class
comparatively few took an energetic and courage
Gus part with those who battled for it. Its active
supporters incurred whatever of od1um, response
bility and risk attached to the position they so
manfuly assumed. If they were not wholly sue
cessfu in accomplishing all they set themselves to
do they nevertheless faced fearful odds-and their
sincerity was sealed with the blood of a gallant
comrade. But their efforts have not been
unavailing, for it was through their instrument
tality that society was awakened to sense
of its danger, the State made aware of the deplora-
ble condition of its Metropolis-and the world
furnished with the evidence which has placed the
horrors and inf,mies of the last election day for
ever beyond dispute. They are entitled TO perfect
the work which they began and have unfinch-
ingly sustained, and as they protested always the
integrity of their intentions they should not be
thwarted in the endeavor to demonstrate it now.
Having borne the burthen and heat of the day,
they ask no other reward than to be permitted to
the subservent and secret tools of political par
ty. They desire 10 erect such an honorable me-
mortal of their labors as will testify to the men
dacity of their maligners for all time TO come
Nor do we believe the Democratic party here is
disposed to reap that which it has not sown, or
that it will abet such efforts as may be made to
turn TO partisan purposes, an opportunity that
promises so fairly for the common veal But
whatever may be the strength of the influences
which will be brought 10 bear on the Legislature
we cannot think that they can bend it from the
path of duty which now lies so plainly before it.
Unless that body realizes the situation of affairs
here, it has no sufficient reason for passing the
Police Bill; but if it recognizes as we suppose it
does the nature and extent of the decentralization
prevailing in this city, it must the madness of
adopting any course, or entrusting authority to
any men that will not command the confidence of
the conservative and honest citizens of every class