The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-11
The Recent EIecti0n-Its Causes and COnse

The Recent ElectlOn-Its Causes and COnse-
quences.
The result of the election on Tuesday last has
astonished the whole city. Many of very san
gulne temperament supposed that the American OF
" Reform party" might obtain controlling niu-
ence in the Common Council, but very few expect
ed that both the old factions the wings and loco
focos-particularly the foimer-would be covered
with such overwhelming defeat. Young Amer-
ca" after agitation of few months, has pro-
duced result which will astonlsh the whole Union
Yet II we come to look over the history oi te ias'
few years-to inspect the missoVernmeh' Oh Oo''
parties in this city-to scan the iohy' the pies"np
ton. the impudence. and the dishonesty OF the lea
ders of both factions. we need mol De surpr'seu at
the unexamped revolution OF TUESDAY ias''
The causes of this revolution have been repeat
edly referred to by during the last few months,
and the consequences that are likely TO ensue been
pointed out with more or less distinctness. These
causes are on the surface. In the first place, the
attempt to make distinct appeals to the natives of
Ireland as a for the purpose of inducing them
10 voc en- masse as class at the elections-the
meanness and dupliciry of both the old parties in
endeavoring to cajole these voters by fiatterlng
their prejudices, was the first prominent cause
which led thinking men of all secs or religion, and
the evil tendencies of such system The organ-
cation of the Irish by Bishop Hughes himself, into
distinct and seperate element constituting the ba
lance of power between the two old factions, con-
tributed, we need not say, to give to this cause i'm
mense additional importance and weight In this
way the Irish were almost openly put up bystheir
leaders be bought by the highest bidder, and this
state of things led the enactment of the present
school law, which involves very nice and delicate
question connected in the closest manner with
the religious feelings and preudices of great masses
of the population. In this movement-the intriguing
and coquetting for the Irish vote-bolh the old
parties were alike criminal, and their conduct equal
ly offensive In addition all this, I'VE had the Re-
peal Associations, presenting the Irish again, in an
attitude calculated to increase and render still
more violent the preudices against them class,
inasmuch as it was evident that this collecting Of
them in masses and agitating them on question
connected with a fore ign land, was but another
trick by means of which to lead them to the polls
in masses. Thus was created one of the causes OF
the late revolution.
But above and beyond these influences, which
were the germs of the revolution, was the disgust
and indignation awakened by the total msso-
yernment of the city, exempihed in the admin
istration of its affairs by both parties, during the
periods in which they alternately possessed the
power in the corporation, for many years past.
This disagreement had increased to such an ex-
tent, as to awaken and arouse the Indignation OF
the whole population of this mighty metropolis.
A principle of justice and of common sense was at
the bottom of this astounding revolution, and the
shackles of party broken in pieces on the day
of election. In this great movement for reform
OF the city government, we believe that large
masses of the naturalized citizens, not connected
with the repeal associations, united, without rete-
renee to any particular feeling or prejudice in GER
tain portions of the reform party against the place
OF their birth 1t will, therefore, appear, that a
conjunction of numerous and influential causes,
has brought that crisis in the public affairs OF
this city, which has resulted in this remarkable
revolution-a revolution which conveys to all po-
lIticians, in very Impressive manner, the lesson,
that there 10 point OF misgovernment beyond
which the people will not permit any party to &C.
i ought also TO convey to all party leaders the les
son to be faithful TO their promises and should
teach the party who have accomplished IT, the ur-
gent necessity of prompt, full, and faithful per-
Torrance of their promises.
Thus has the revolution been complete. What
now are to be its results What to be its con-
sequences What are to be its effects on the 60
vernment of the city! What influence will it exer-
else on the movements of parties and the politics
of the country!
The first thing which the people of this city will
expect from the new corporation, when they get
into office, will be complete reform of all the
branches of the city government. There must be
no faerng-no shrlnklng-no truckling-no inde-
cislon-no semblance OF lnfdelity to their solemn
promises. This new party must pay specie on de-
mand, or else AT once shut up shop forever. The
police department must be conn letey reformed
the fire department must be remodeed-a system
for cleaning the streets must be adoped-the finan-
cal condition of the city must be rlgidly eXa
mined-the amount of the city debt and the value
of its property correctly ascertained-the Who'll,
municipal affairs must, In brief, be probed to the
very bottom, evils redressed and reforms at once
introduced
But 1t may be question amongst many persons
whether new party, flushed with such triumph
will content themselves with the bare carrying on,
OF municipal reform-whether they will not mme-
diatey look beyond the limits of this city, and take
part in the politics of the State and the Union
IL is highly probable that they will do so. -
We conceive that the wing organization is in
dangerous predcament from the triumph OF
the party. 1t is true, the particular friends
of MIR. Clay in the city may now organize them
selves after this astounding revolution, and en-
deavor TO move for the Presidential contest IL the
fall with all their forces. But 1t is question whe
ther the American party will not continue and ex.
tend Its movements and go for a repeal of the nau-
rallzaon laws, and also of the School law, as
to operate on members Of Congress and of Assem-.
bly, at the election next fall. Indeed, flushed as
they are with success, we should not be surprised
to see them repudiate the Presidential candidate:
81 both the old parties and take up some man
General Scott, or General Cass, or some Other
man yet in the womb of iutury
One remarkable feature about this revolution,
has been its reliance on moral force 1t has been
oroat moral movement In oil tho ,,.r,y ~,