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frage, and that it was his belief that unless some unforeseen oc-
currence, should take place or an ungovernable feeling should be
excited by those who were then engaged in the effort to break
down the city government, that the election would proceed quiet-
ly and without interruption;
And Whereas, His Excellency declined or failed to furnish to
the Mayor any evidence, (if any he had,) of a combination on the
part of any citizens, to obstruct or violate the laws, but forthwith,
without further consultation or correspondence, issued his orders
to the military officers, to enroll, equip and hold a command of
not less than six regiments, ready for immediate service, and
thereupon, made his proclamation to the citizens of Baltimore an-
nouncing, among other things, that he had issued to this imposing
military force, thus brought into the field, full instructions to pre-
serve the peace of the city, and secure to the legal voters their
rights, against the violence and intimidation of the lawless ruf-
fians, who have disgraced the city, and outraged the elective rights
in the recent elections;
And Whereas, In said proclamation he commanded that, no
man should leave the precincts of his own ward, unless ordered to
do so by competent authority. Thus he would promote the fair-
ness of the election, and avoid the just retribution that would be
dealt to those vagrant emissaries of disorder, who wander from
place to place, for the purpose of illegal voting;
And Whereas, His Excellency in communicating to the Sen-
ate and House of Delegates, his proceedings in and about the
matters aforesaid, has declared that a decent respect for the opin-
ions of his fellow-citizens, and due concern for the dignity of
his office, and a regard for his personal honor, induced him to
employ that occasion for a dispassionate review of the series of
events intimately connected with our domestic policy, and en-
titled, apart from any concern he might entertain with regard to
himself, to our serious consideration;
And Whereas, The Senate and House of Delegates agree with
his Excellency in reference to the importance of the matter, and
entertaining a high regard for the dignity, power and honor of
the office which he holds, the checks and balances maintained in
our constitution and form of government, and the peace and
quiet of the community, on the one side, and the freedom and
personal rights of the citizens on the other; and, as they have
been addressed by his Excellency upon the subject, and their
opinions invoked, a due sense of respect for themselves, and the
people of the State of Maryland, whom they represent, impera-
tively demand of them that they should speak upon the subject;
Therefore Resolved, By the General Assembly of Maryland,
that we condemn all frauds upon the ballot-box, by whomsoever
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