The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-10-09

|
or to the troops of his friend and qloudam ally
LOUIS NAPOLEON. That the departure of Flo Mono
from Rome would eifectually disembarrass the sit
uation Of the complexities in which it is involved
is too clearly apparent to be doubted. But it is
equally evident that if he once leaves the Holy
! City behind him, whether he bends his steps to
Avgnon, the old place Of Papal refuge, or goes on
a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, he loses forever, both to
himself and TO his successors that portion of the
territory which he still holds, and which is popu-
larry known as "the patrimony of ST. Peter"
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1t is generally not proper to address particular
classes on political topics-naurazed voters least
ofa-ior afterall that has been doneand said about
their position in this country, we must more than
ever regret that distinctions have at any time been
drawn among those who, all, stand free and equal
before our laws 1t is only because the scenes which
have for some years so disgraced this city-at Pc
RODS when intelligent AID patriotic citizens meet
ing to choose the agents to carry out their will
should be most respectful, forbearing and crcum
spect their rise in organized effort to de-
prive these of the right of suffrage, that we deem
it right that we should say 10 them and to all,
that at the election now approaching such things
are, at last, no longer possible The reign of ter
ror in Baltimore has ceased. Respect for the laws
has been restored by their impartial and rigid en-
forcement Security for person and property has
been attained by the protection extended to both.
The assassin or the bully walks no longer by day
or by night in our busiest thoroughares The
sounds and sights of unbrded license and outrage
are banished from our streets They have depart
ed, never to return, unless the people of Baltimore
wiiully repudiate the principles upon which
the wondrous change has been wrought
In the history of factions there is no instance in
which they have reformed themselves On the
contrary, when once in full play they pass on
from bad TO worse; and if arrested before reach
ing the crisis of revolution the corrective has in
variaby come from without. Fortunately munich
pal organizations, important as they are, are but
a small part of the complex and beautiful system
of government, which guards the rights of Ameri-
can freemen. Had we TO where to look beyond
the bounds of this city for protection and assist
| anee, the condition Of things existing here, at
this very period of the last year, would not only
have justified, hut compelled Il resort to measures
of sei-defence, which we shrink from pointing
out But citizens of Baltimore are also citizens
of great State..and of great confederation of
States to both of which each individual owes an
| allegiance, superior TO that which is due to the
| local authority, and both Of which are under the
corresponding obligation, each in lis constitution
al sphere, to defend and shelter us against local
wrongs. The true condition ofthis city was made
known throughout the land, and though its con-
sttutional voice stifed in the ballot. box. it's
we NJ IN, VI
tins cause more than to any other it due that
men went up from the counties to the seat of Govern
ment last winter with the will, as they had the
power, 10 do us right. These men might have been
classed, and probably in most matters. would
class themselves as partisans: theY had it
in their power TO make, and might have
found many precedents for making our rriev-
Gus need a party opportunity Bat they were
swayed By nobler and, let us add, by wiser iur-
pulses. They perceived that the time had come in
the great city OF their State, which has come or
will come, upon all great cities in Other States
| whose municipalities have assumed an almost en-
tire independence of external control and hev re-
| solved 10 curb, by their supreme AUTHORITY,
the dangerous usurpations of the officers of
this corporation. The necessary legislation was
prepared in time, and so skilfully as to leave
no ground for constitutional or practical ohiec-
ton to its provisions. In adopting it, our Lenis-
lature at the same time opened the door of the
highest tribunal of the State in order that their
work might be thoroughly tested-thus in the
very moment of exercising their sovereign author
ity, setting a memorable example of respect and
obedience to the constitution. BY this means the
boosted but imaginary independence of the city of
Baltimore was shown to be dream of official
vanity and ignorance, and every pretencc for re-
sistance to the laws was dssipated The result we
need not portray. 1t is felt in every step in all the
walks of life. 1t is felt in thousands of peaceful
! homes and around sacred firesides 1t is experi-
enced in the right to enjoy the fruit of honest
toll without bending the knee and paying black
mail to vagabonds and thieves. 1t is recognized
in the assurance of protection, which all possess
alike in the fulfllment of the duties and in the en-
Joyment of the pleasures of life. But these
blessings, although conferred by the superintend-
ing care of the State, must be cherished and pre-
served by ourselves. The ballot-box is at last
the corner stone of our rights, and should suffer
| slight no more than pollution. A free and peace
fui access to it has not been sedulousy secured
and so carefully guarded in the expectation that
mutltudes will pass it by. Such is not the
theory, nor should it be the practice of American
citizenship.
| Apart from the obligation resting on every
qualified voter honestly to render his SUFFRAGE at
every election, there are circumstances at the
present time, which appeal with double force to
every such person in this city, on Wednesday
next, and most of all to adopted citizens 1t
is the first election under the new system. The
policy of reformers has been tested in every
manner but this, and this is the work which is to
crown the end. Until it is proclaimed throughout
the world that every citizen of Bal timore without
distinction of nationality, or creed or party, has
cast his unmoesed vote, the fair fame of our CITY is
but half redeemed Were every born American
citizen to vote, and any considerable portion of
| naturalized citizens to refrain from voting, it
might be misunderstood, aud would be misrepre-
| sented. The final and rrefragabe proof of the
supremacy of law in Baltimore will be the an
nouncement of the fact Thursday next, that
! every citizen within her limits has peacefully
soberly, thoughtfully deposited his ballot That
each man may do SO if he will is beyond all
| question. The guards thrown around the exer-
| else of the franchise are perfect, and the design
and the power to enforce them cannot be ques-
toned. Every voter may vote honestly-natu-
rallied quite as freely as all Others; and we repeat
| in conclusion, there is every reason why all
| should do SO.
But one word more. The arts Of the dema,
| gogue are many. He is, by turns, the bully and
the sycophant wear, with equal grace, the
garb Of darkness or the livery of light Let all,
therefore, be upon guard, and take heed that those
who no longer have it in their power to coerce
by intimidation or force, may not accomplish
their purpose by deception and fraud.
A Card, signed "SAMuEL HINDEs," appears in
| The american of yesterday, in reference TO