The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-10-11
SCENES AFTER THE CLOSING OF THE
POILS

AT about six o'clock last evening, a crowd began
to assemble in front of this office all anxious to
hear the returns from the precincts which at that
time began slowly to come in. The first was A pre-
cinct OF the llth ward, in which Mr. Hindes' vote
was less than ne-half of that which was cast for
Mr.. Brown. This seemed to be regarded as an omen
of the result, which, however, no one appeared TO
suppose doubtful They then only wished to know
the full measure of success. The votes in the var
ious precincts were read from the second story
window of this office, fronting on North street,
and as they unmistakably indicated that the cause
of Reform was triumphant beyond all precedent,
the enthusiasm reached pitch which was rarely
equaed. Each announcement called forth cheers
which seemed to come from the peoples hearts
About halfpast seven the crowd became massed with
density which is seldom seen, vet preserving the
perfect order and sefrespect which had character
lied the city throughout the day. Cries soon be-
gan to arise for gentlemen prominent in the cause
OF Reform, the first of whom was S. T. Wallis ESQ.,
In response to these calls he at length appeared
at the window and delivered short address which,
for its perfect adaptation to the OCCASION and its
complete embodiment of the feelings of his vast
audience, was scarcely equaled in the career of the
distinguished speaker. He was followed by Messrs.
}. ID. Hambleton, j. Hodges, w. G. N. Carr and
Albert Ritchie, in the order named, in short and
telling speeches. which were delivered and received
with genuine and unmistakabe enthusiasm. At
this time it was announced that enough was ascer-
tained of the returns to authorize the conviction
that Mr.. Browns election had been carried by
majority OF between eight and ten thousand-that
every ward and with few exceptions every pre-
cinct, had given him majority, and that every
Reform candidate in the whole city was elected
This was received with storm of applause, and
motion was then made to pay a visit to the resi-
dence of Mr.. Brown, the Mayor elect, which was
promptly put in execution.
On reaching the house where that gentleman is
| at present residing, it found that the crowd
almost filled the entire space between SARATOGA
and Pleasant Streets densely packed. After few
moments Mr.. Wallis came to the window and said
that it the wish of the Mayor elect to receive
his friends, but that their number rendered such
an attempt impossible and therefore proposed that
Mr.. Brown should address them from the window,
which assented to with loud demonstrations of
appreciation. and Mr.. Brown appeared and deliv-
| cred the following address:
| My Felolo- Citizens Il congratulate you with my
whole heart on this days great victory because can
salute you freemen The long reign of ter
or is By the help and under the protection of the
measures of Reform passed at the last the Leg
sature you have to day reasserted and reganed the
right, SO long denied you, of choosing your agents
transact the public business You have relad corner
stone of your municipal liberty by establishing every
precinct of every ward of the city free and fair ballot
boxfree for all who had right to vote, and fair
by the provision made for deciding mpartially upon
| that right.
The spectacle of to-day is the grandes and nobest pre-
| sented by the institutions under which we live and of
itself forms complete vndicaton Of the great principles
of republican government city of nearly go, 900
habants has elected its Chief Magistrate and its entire
Municipal Legislature. Great interests stake
hostile parties were arayed against each other
ing candidates who represented widely different
principles To political differences were added regret
to say something of the antagonsm of and some
what Of religious anmosity and yet American, Demo
cra and Republican, native and foreigner Catholic and
Protestant met together without strife violence any
kind, in strong but manly competition they
thought proper for representative of their seec
tion. Before the law all equa-none great none
small; high, none low. And to-day, standing in
the solemn presence of the law, which held over
| US at the same time, as it always should, its
shield to protect and its sword to punish ALL the rich
and the the old and the young the strong and the
weak the learned and the unlearned, recognized and
bowed before the great Equalitythe Equality poli
cal rights believe that have misrepresented nor
overstaed the doings of to-day and trust that the ac
land and beyond the into every part of
Europe where the disgraceu story of the past pene
| trated.
Men of Baltimore how has the ballot box fortress OF
honor and safety, been guarded by in times
pastf shall not dwell on the answer to this question
for to do would only be to repeat the story of
shame, and allude to it with unworthy pur-
pose of INDUCING personal anmosty or keeping alive
political strife but only to point the moral of the
of this day The story indeed forgotten by
by children, but should be remembered only
fearful warning to show the depth of political degra
dation into which civilized community may sink when
it becomes infatuated and drunk with party spirit, and
laws aside, in its frenzy honor and justice and right
By your vote of to-day my friends yod have declared
in unmstakable tones, understand it, your full ap
prova OF the laws which have made peaceabe and fair
elections possibility in Baltimore, and your determine
ion to stand by them That quiet and order
will hereafter be maintained, at all hazards with OF
without aid, no one who knows the members the
present Board of Police has marked the proceedings
this day, can for moment doubt
But too, gentlemen representative shall have
duty to perform member of that Board and say
in advance to you tonight and you may write down my
words and hold me to my pledge, that while am Mayor
of Baltimore the elections shall be quiet and peac cable
and lawful oo far there is any power in my hands
to help to make them so; and that if prevent it
there shall be no unrestrained play of spirits
las it has been facetiousy called which shall drive from
know myself, would rather lay down my life in the
streets of your city than Chief Magistrate to tolerate
repetition OF the enormtes Of the election of last No
| vember. .t - .
But, my friends, by your of to-day you have
only given your solemn verdict in favor Of free and
fair ballot box-you have declared in favor of great
principle which is almost equally important-that o
Municipal Observation-Disclosures of State politics
-independence of national politics. This Is fundamen
tai doctrine and idea Of the Reform movement. 1t is
very simple proposition but of incacuabe importance
in its results, that the affairs of city should be conduct
ed for the benefit and advantage of its inhabitants excu
cess OF political leader any political party As
soon as this principle departed FROM chosen
TO oice not because they honest and capable but
because they are what is called straghtou party
description OF sraightness which implies anything but
rectude OF conduct character And then begins the
old work OF fraud and corruption Of which, my friends
IN this city OF under the rule OF different parties
we nave seen enough to for lesson and warning
for all time to come.
Does any one, then in his doubt for moment
that you have acted wisely in dsregardng all such
AtaAAa er4 4tAz n-R--