Year: 1859

was ashamed to make this acknowledgment but it was
true and it should be known. The house of which he
was member had received remittances from the West


in hch the parties stated that they had concluded not
to visit Baltimore but would go to New York Pha-
dephia by the northern route II was fact beyond all
doubt and cavil, that merchants made their arrange
ments, in coming to Baltimore, to arrive in this
city IN the morning, purchase what goods
they could during the day and leave the city in the
evening" refusing to remain night. case which
came to his knowledge he would mention. gentleman
arrived this city, purchased goods during the ay and
when he went to leave in the evening the gentleman with
whom he had dealt insisted his remaining in the city,
when the stranger remarked: No under any consider
atom" few days since when a respectable
citizen was attacked by one of these rowdies
gentleman was engaged in purchasing goods in store
near the scene OF the occurrence and witnessed the whole
of it. As he learned the circumstances of the
case he ceased his purchase settled his bill and left the
cry. Another gentleman from neghboring city
10 purchased what goods he could during the
day. and left the city for home returning in the morning
n he completed his purchases. The speaker said that
ne mad been in Europe and had occasion to visit
the rural manufacturing purpose of pur-
chasing goods, and while thus engaged he informed
the gentleman that he was an American, when he
asked What part of America ?" "City of Baltimore
Inc gentleman looked asonished and said Baltimore
that is the city where rowdes shoot down unoending
persons in the street" So the story of the cys shame
was not confined alone to this country was subject
OF foreign talk He had said that of the evils which
this reform would remove rotation in office
which was running the legislature the official depart
ments OF the city Carry out the principle in bust
ness AFFAIRS discharge all employees who familiar
with their duties and in their place persons ignor
ant of what is required of them, and what would





as unwlse and the man who would do
would lose the confidence of the community And yet
TINS is the prncple adopted by parties; and if the Demo
ocra were successful in eectng Mayor all the present
force, without respect to efficiency and capacity would
compelled to walk the plank Who in face of the dis
gustng evils which are the nseparabe concomants
party, will he unwilling to join in this movement which
has for its object their determination and desrnction?-
WIN you stl continue to sustain corrupt party orgauiza
ton, or will YOU sustain this great movement and get
clear of the outrages which made the city
and reproach, aud whose shame is told in Gath and in
ASkelOn2


Ifyou satisfied with affairs as they now exist he
could only say that Ephraim is joined to his idols But
II you are dissatisfied and desire change give your ear
nest support to this movement and there will be go-
riOus triumph.


George NJ Gill, Esq, then came forward and ad
dressed the meeting as follows:


FjOw Cii-eHS;-Eternal vigilance is the price of b-
ery and We are called together this afternoon to devise
some safe and eXpedient by which we NAV be
enabled to enjoy the rights and privileges which we
hold sacred People of Baltimore there in our midst
population of two hundred and fifty thousand souls;
out of this population there twent, eight or
thirty thousand voters and Thousands Of ready and
willing to protect their homes and the fair fame Of the
city from foes, whether they from without or
within Our city Is one which may justly feel proud
Of and ask you why it is that the character Of it has
sunk so low that we are even held up shame by our
neighborng Citics have lived here for UPWARDS of


fifty years and for thirty six years active
ly engaged in business. know our people well What
are you? Are YOU not an honest and canservoti, no
pie? are yOu not law abiding citizens, to uphold
the majesty and supremacy Of tine law Have You not
Vtuous hearts, and strong desire to the freeman





only good and true holding Offices of profit and trust
and the protection of the poor in his rights well
as the rich one? Loud cheers


feel confident that this is your character If then
this is the feeling prevailing in midst you in all
cando what the Of present bad reputation
ooth at nome ana abroad Why these ourageS daily
occurring in midst? Why this system Of carrying
deadly weapons prevails Pa system which in itself is the
cause of bloodshed and evil and which, if rot speedily
put down, will the total overthrow of law and order
Finally fellow citizens. ask you who are the persons that
dsturbers the and the law breakers r on
COmmunitVy mi but ho,I
population and would it not he easy matter to overawe
them? lCrics of Yes yes.'I Why have they been al
lowed to pursue their evil ways terror citizens at
home, well as those visiting city from abroad?


will tell citizens, what has been the cause
of the evils which have alluded to- 1t is the party
feeling and spirit which prevails in ctythe cOmbi
nation of political clubs and organizations formed for
political purposes. am not auding to any particular
party. am speaking of the spirit which animates the
followers OF all parties, and am here to say that have
always opposed and denounced the mingng of party
spirit with local affairs What we want in our local
officers has nothing to do with politics We want honest
and good men; matter what party they NAV belong TO-


say then that the source of all orr evils arises
from the violence of party feeling, and ask of you
my fellow citizens, irrespective of party to come for
ward and unite with us in this effort to redeem the
city.


Can any within the sound Of my voice suppose, or
for one instant believe, that the right disfranchse
citizens could be entertained discussed? Surely not
we hether couId nor would we admit it. But citizens
have been disfranchised. Have not all been evewi
nesses the formation of clubs formed for the purpose to
keep citizens from the polls, and maltrcat and shoot
them down in public streets? And what has been the
cause of this? to be attributed party spirit party
strife, and to nothing else.


1t is time my friends, that we should do away with this
state of things The resolutions which have been sub
mited your sideration ask YOU TO forget the ties
OF party and unite for the public good If you have been


Whig Democrat, ignore for your principles and
work for your country's good If you American
act up to the purpOrt of name and let the good
your fellow citizens and that of your country be your
only object and aim. We ask you unite as band of
brothers, basis which cannot be shaken to nominate
good conservative men, and not only to nominate to
elect them.


Do not let the primary ward meetings be governed by
petty frauds let there be an expression of popular opinion
and above all things let the candidates be the choice of
the people.


Felow-ctzens this movement takes nothing from
your rights it is vain to assert that this is party move.
ment. Our nominations will be before you. If YOU
think the candidates worthy and true men capabe of
rights and can easily eject them Looking the events
the last few years we that the time has arrived
Tor prompt and decided action and intend to nut
forward true honest and conservative men, and we hone
and trust that the support of all good citizens will attend
our efforts


ask of this large mass meeting Of my feow-ctizens


they do not wish to be ruled by honest and true men
cries OF yes yes Is there man here who will say that
the proper method has been heretofore pursued in the
election of our public officers? Cries of mo- no. No my
friends there is no one here who will dare to say it
We want Mayor we want Council, we want Magis-
trates no matter what their politics may be- if they are
competent Be they whom they may they will be the
men to select Cries of yes yes Il Then INV friends
come to our aid; say with one voce-we will have the
best men.


What more is asked? We ask you for peace and oufet
at our elections, and we say that citizens shall vote
irrespective OF party and thus preserve of great
est and dearest rights Is this uOt righ Cries yes
yes Then, my friends let abide by our principles
and proclaim that we will uphold the majesty of the law
assert that intend to the best men for our
public Offices, and not to allow any particular men to Sc
lect their Office. No the Office must seek the man. Loud
cheering


What we want what we demand is that our Judoss of
Election shall be honest, true men, who will assert
their rights and protect the legal rights of voter We
have in our resolutions expressed wishes to the
Mayor; he dares not refuse them. We will see what
he will pursue and then determine upon our
course and have doubt the result We want on
the day election special police force men of bone and
sinew who will that the law is carried and that
the voter will be protected in his legal rights vo
gentlemen, men of the nineteenth century is not but


small favor to ask our public officers to do their duty


has heen asserted tia the present reform movement
is Democratic measure in disguise. My friends will
say 10 all such heeiiers that when they puny in
fants was engaged in battling against the Democratic
party. am of those who espouse this present move
ment and will help with my most earnest eDdeavors if
life is spared to its success TIoud anpause


We must not suppose that our abors are ended this
afternoon. no. work is but commenced We must 90
among our friends and solicit their exertions Yes we
may tell wives and children of the great work
in which we are engaged, and solicit their support for
they interested much ourselves in the perpcit
Of institutions and the blessings of our homes The
grand question shall our institutions remain shall law
and order triumph we must work. and ourselves to
attain such end.


We do not propose TO nominate candidate for ongross
and why? Simply because have announced that We
did not intend to introduce National politics m our present
movement. This is not political and VIC do not
lNtenu 10 MAKE IL SUch. have nominated candidates
Tor the Leg slatufcwe want good and true there
am myself almost afraid of patty men. FIauehtcr =
want our Legislature to enact laws against his SyS
TEN of carrying deadly weapons system which think
cowardy and dastardiy in the extreme We want laws
enacted which will divide wards into several voting
precincts and thus in great measure remedy the exist
evil Ofa large number of voters together
in one place. loud applause.l


am Of opinion that until the Judges Of our Courts are
appointed in somewhat different manner than by elect
ing them by the people great evil must exist and hone
that the day is not far distant when the Constitution of
our State may undergo change


Ny friends do think present evils incurabc2
Cries of Will you then aid in efTecng care?
Cries Of yes, yes Will you do it with your whole soul
engaged in the work? [Cres Of yes, yes.l Then, my
friends will in conclusion, forward every one
Of you and adopt these resolutions. Loud cheering1


Mr.. Gill was loudly cheered at the conclusion OF |
his speech, when William Woodward Esq. Pres:- |
dent of the meeting, advanced and said, "Fellnw |
citizens, you have heard the resolutions read and |
the speeches Of the gentlemen who have Just ad-
dressed you, are you ready for the question upon
their adoption? loud cries Of aye. ave All those
in favor of the adoption of the resoluti ons Will saw
aye. \ tremendous cry of aye Those opposed |
will say no. "A cry ofno, from the south wing of
the crowd (Then cries Of kick EN- cut, hang 'em |
up


The President, continuing .-"The aves have it. |
the resolutions are adopted"


George NJ. Gill, Esq, then came forward and |
said, that as the resolutions had been adopted and
there no other business to claim the attention
of the meeting, he moved an adjournment, which |
was carried.


A voice.-"Three cheers for the meeting and the
resolutions" and they were given vociferouslv


Some one in the crowd on the southern side then |
cried out, EThree cheers for the American Partv'
and about forty hats and caps were raised and the