The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-06-13

AS we tOOk occasion 10 speak In very lauuat0ry
terms of the efficiency of the Police during the
short soiOurn here of the japanese Embassy, we
are gratifed to find that the public almost unani-
mously concurs in the opinions we then expressed.
The more we reflect upon the condition of this
city few weeks ago, and consider the difficulties
with which even an old and disciplined force
would have had to contend, if it had seriously set
about eftecting the restoration of ORDER the more
we are satisfied that the conduct of the officers on
Friday last deserves an ampler notice 1t must not
be forgotten that large class of men of abandoned
lives and habits had gradually become imbued with
the notion that they could be lawess and brutal with
IMMUNITY. For years they had been accustomed
to give full play to their ruianly propensites for
the tenderness with which they handled by
the Police, and the facility with which they could
obtain their release when arrested, had encouraged
them to regard the possibility of punishment as
too remote TO be feared. They took advantage of
every opportunity TO display their desperate Prov
ess; and tempted by their sense of security, the
members of numerous gangs of buliies continually
strove TO emulate the deeds of few notorious
leaders. The consequence was that no general
holiday was ever kept, and no large crowds
PEELED on the following day to record
series of sickening atrocities. 1t was not to be
expected therefore, that rutians who had been
mus educated should be taught within a brief
period TO realize their own insiguifcance. and re-
cogniZe the power of law The task of re-
ducing these disorderly clements to obedience to
the authorities was one of no ordinary mapnitude.
and 1t was rendered doubly difficult by the fact
mat 1t was necessarily entrusted TO men who had
10 De- themselves, instructed in regard to the ma
lure OF their duties and the proper mode of per-
forming them. Under these circumstances the
manner IN which the public peace was preserved
Oh frluay was more than creditabIe Such an
outpoarlng OF the people had not been witnessed
mere 1or many years. The whole population seem
@ feeGe 9u 6s ley M str9sts and At tines
sure along the line of procession, and especially at
the Maryland Institute and in Monument Square,
was immense, while the excitement was proper
tionably great, and as far as we can learn there
was not a pistol shot heard throughout the day
and scarcely single assault was committed. This
desirable state Of things unquestionably due
not less 10 the judcious distribution of the police
than to their firm and prudent bearing. Although
comparatively undscplned and unfamiliar with
the precise extent of their powers and re-
sponsibilities, a general rule, they acquit-
ted themselves in way which gave almost uni
versal satisfaction, and elected manifestations of
respect and good will from eur citizens From
their department on this trying occasion we are
justified in anticipating the certain realization of
the hopes that were so confidently expressed bv
o1v Of ha 10 ryb;
force. But while referring to the commendable
behavior which characterized them as a body, it
is incumbent on us also to notice the particulars
wherein individuals may have erred. If some facts
which have come 10 our knowledge were, as we
believe them to have been, correctly reported, the
conduct of several of the officers is deserving of Sc
we're censure. 1t is said they acted in one or two
instances with uncalled-for harshness Now we
willingly concede that the law is to be enforced at
every hazard, and without regard TO consequences.
1t is to be hoped that they who are charged with
this duty will tolerate resistance to the exercise
OF their legitimate authority, and will never hest
tate to resort to the EXTREMIST measures when they
cannot otherwise subdue rufianism But they are
HAaef an equal obligation to act with moderation
and discretion, and, above all, with good temper.
Though they are officers of the law, they are not
above the law The citizen who may have vio-
lated the latter in one respect, does not there
by put himself out of the pale Of its protec-
ton, and he is not to be subjected when under
arrest to undue or unnecessary violence IF anv
cases of this sort have occurred, they should and
doubtless will, be promptly investigated II i
not to be wondered at, perhaps, that some few Of
the men 10 the novel situation in which thew were