The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-09-06
BALTIMORE.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1860

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER Is, 1860
A the ensuing Mayoralty election q question
will be tested which has been often and anXiously
debated by those who watch the working of our
political system, but which this community has
seldom before been so distinctly challenged to an
swer. Those who deny the capacity of men for
self-government are beginning to refer to the
Democratic institutions of this country in confir-
nation of their views. They admit that, accord
ing to the theory OF Constitution, every citi-
zen is supposed to enjoy absolute freedom,
but they insist that this principle amounts to moth
ing as practically illustrated. The American
people, We are told, do not use the privilege of
thinking foT themselves to such an extent as is
generally imagined. Every one votes it is true,
but whenever he does SO he is restricted in the ex
preston of his opinions within the narrowest pos
sibe limits. Instead of the unbounded discretion.
which he believes himself to be wisely EXERCISING
when he goes to the ballotbox, he is simply indi-
eating, at the dictation of party leaders, his pre-
ference for one Of two men, or one of two conflict
ing measures, none of which may perhaps COM
mend themselves to his Judgment. In other words,
it is asserted that the people are incapable or grow
constant
and intelligent consideration which these require
and that consequently they soon devolve the duty
upon very Insignificant minority. Thus some
nations when they tacity delegate authority to an
autocrat or an oigarchy, renounce all idea of in
terfering directly with the course of the govern
ment; while Others though they tenaciously re-
tam the right to control the rulers whom they
have temporarily chosen, unconsciously suffer
their unrelnquished power to be habitually welded
by the few, through the instrumen alty of party
organizations. Such, it is said is the condition of
things here and that being the case the only differ
ence between the masses IN this country and else
where lies in the fact that it requires more hands to
manage the machinery by which the will of the pee
pie is supposed to be registered than are empoyed
where the form of taking the sense of the nation is
never gone through. Nay, our critics 90 farther
than this, and assert that there is really less
independence Of thought and action in America
than in England. They assume that where, "a in
England, many distinct classes or interests are
represented, as such, in the government, numerous
points are always presented, around which indie
pendent opinions of every shade can rally. Bpt
where the people are generally divided. as here
INTO Two great parties, we are compelled to choose
between such few issues and candidates as the
leaders on either side may bring forward or occupy
an isolated position with which only an individual
here and there will sympathise While we do not adj
NIT the soundness ofa the views which we have en-
deaVored thus briefly to reproduce it would be folly
10 deny that in some particulars they are unfortun-
ate!y too well founded. We need not look beyond
our own city for examples to show how blindIv
men are welded to party, and how rare thing |
1t is TO see them assume an independent stand in
any instance. How many men dare 10 step out
OF Tue party lines, and determine for themselves
WHAT course 1t Is their duty TO pursue? How
often does candidate, though ACKNOWLEDGED to
be the ab!est and the purest in the field, receive
any support worth speaking of, except when he
IS Tue huininee of partisan convention? 1t
has been the fortune Of tic Democratic nartv
OF this city-whether Of its own accord or from
the force of circumstances it is not necessary now
to discuss-to have been identified for the last four
years with the cause Of law and social order.
1t has been, during that period, arrayed in
unayailing opposition to an organization which
has had perjury and murder for its allies.
But Notwithstanding this, numbers of people
for self government, have been unwilling to
VOTE even for the right, in Democratic
companionship and have preferred, prac-
ncally to sustain the clubs. Shackled with
old party prejudices, they could not lift hand
even by way of protest against the anarchy
which they affected to deplore. With our expe- |
rience, therefore, of the past it does not become
US to boast too loudly of our independence,
or TO plume ourselves too much upon the dis |
cretion with which we ordinarily exercise it,
But our business is now less with the past than
with the present. We have alluded TO the failure
of the people to follow heretofore what was so OBJ
viously the right, in defiance of party dictation
because the relative strength of party ties and pa
triotic duty is again 10 be tested Fraud and ruff
fanism and extravaganza have, it is conceded
marked the course of our municipal government
for several years past. In opposition to the ruling
powers, candidate has now been nominated for
the Mayoralty, who is admitted on all hands to
be capable, energetic and honest He was
not nominated by any political party, and
he cannot expect the undivided support of
any. His name has been simply presented to the
consideration Of the people by number of res
pectaoe citizens who certainly have no private
ends to serve That portion o. the press which
has advocated the election of a Mayor without re-
gard TO party has given honorable evidence of the
integrity with which it assumed such a position
by advocating Mr.. Browns election. The Jour
nails representing the DOUGLAS and RRgcK1NR1DGE
wings of the Democratic Party have redeemed the
pledge they gave TO support fit man, regardless
OF his political procivities, and the independent
and neutral papers have assumed the same DO |
sltlon. Only those people who have hitherto
through party spirit refused to cooperate with their
former opponents even in good work, have hest.
tated 10 endorse the nomination and those Jour
nails only, which, animated by the same motives
have hitherto sustained party which has BROUGHT |
us TO the verge of ruin, have declined to partici-
pate IN an independent movement to redeem the
reputation and advance the prosperity of our civ
Most men have recognized the necessity of a re-
form OF some sort in the administration of onr NIL
nicipal affairs, and all concede the ability and
integrity OF the man who is willing to inaugurate
1t. VIII the citizens of Baltimore shake off marty
trammels and, spurnng the advice of the interested
politicians who appeal to their partisan preudices,
take the course that patriotism and duty SO mani
testify dictate? This is one of the questions the
answer to which is awaited by all good citizens
not without anxiety, but with still greater
confidence.
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