The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-08-02
An Infamous PrcceeSfns.

The Baltimore Exchange, of the 3oth has
the following editorial npoL an act OF despot
ism which we brieny noticed yesterday
Yesterday afternoon, Messr. Howard
Gatcheil and Davis, three Of the Police Com
Inissioners OF this city, together with savsn
other persons, most OF whom SIRE citizens OF
Maryland. were placed on board the stsamer
Joseph " Whitney, and carried as is supposed
to New York, there to be impr soned al the
pleasure OF Mr.. Lincoln. All OF these estate
prisoners" as they were termed Ia the or
der which directed their removal, have, for
some weeks past, been lying in Fort McHen-
~, meditatins, 1t may be. on the value of civil
liberty and the blessings OF a constitutional
government. They had been torn from their
families and homes without form OF l,-u and
have been patiently awaiting the time
when the flag or the free should cease
10 saIctify an act Of despotsm which
could scarcely have been perpetrated in
Austria with impunity. They have been
looking for the Grand Jury to put III
soma tangible shape the ISLANDERS which
have been circulated against them, and
hey have been prepared 10 give the
lie 10 their accusere and to main tlin their
own integrity. But the Government has
tailed to make good its insin uations, and a
hostile and inscriptions Grand Jury ha.
adjourned without preferring Il single charge
against them; and notwithsta ding this they
have been arbitrarily hurried out of the
Sta ,e, and are TO be subjected to confinement
in Government fortress. There was time
when the voice OF the American people would
have been lifted up In unanimous ard over
wheln1ing protest against ibis tyrannous pre-
ceediHg; when their hands would have been
prompt TO hurl from power the President who
had dared for an instant or under any
pretences Whatsoever to trampie down the
laws and the Constitution. In the days when
the enligh tanud freemau of this continent
were wont TO denOunce the despotic measures
OF Louis Napoleon, and sneer 1t the slayish
submission OF the gu blects of the Gar and
boast Of the spirit with which Americans
rant M @,x,
would have been at least an outcry against
the usnrpations OF the miserable faction which
has the ear Of a congenlal aud Obseq uious chief
But that time has passed, and we fear forever.
A fanatical majority in the n orth stands ready
10 applaud any outrage that IL psrpetra-
ted in its behalf, and a tiuid and su bservient
mir GRITTY, with but an individual exception
here and there, basely shTnks from viudcating
i,s self-respec or duty. But though the reo-
PIE of Que section La We been thus recreant to the
faith OF their fathers, The spirit Of freedom We
survives elsew here. Here III Maryland, W here
political and religious liberty was first pro-
claimed, mon sin hold firmly to the cause of
constitutional government. They will part
with their tiribr'ght for no paltry mess of
pottase, nor viii they tJrego their privileges
at the ciGtauon OF any people, or the bidding
OF any Administration Mr.. Lincoln has not
contain thu citizens of Maryland who are
ready TO risk life, and all that they hold most
dear, in defence Of tB cir rights as freemen-
In their behalf, therefore, We here record
another protest against the latest and most
Infamous act Of oppression which an unscru-
pulous and foresWorn GoVernris Mt has par
petrnted In our midst.