The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-04
City Reform.

government, will be one of the mos, importan
which mas taken place for many years. The int
rest already felt in most of the wards Is intense
and before next Tuesday will, we have no doubt
be increased TO fearful extent In fact, there Is
every apprehension entertained that terrible nous
will take place before this election be over. Inc
new ''reform party" who call themselves Anne
rican Republicans" ale making the most magnlfl-
cent preparations to carry the city against the de-
mocrats and wings and the probability Is that the
whole contest will be between them and the re-
naming forces Of the old factions.
The present position of the contest is very re.
markable The new reform party is composed OF
portions of both the old parties but chiefly of demo
Gratis This parry has been generated by the per
vading disgust OF the corruption and gross abuses o
the old parties during the last three or four years
1t is true, that the American Republicans" al
they style themselves, profess to entertain great
hostility to the present system of naturalization
laws, and wish to extend the period Of residence be
fore admission to the privileges Of citizenship tC
twenty-one years; and also declare determined
hostility to the Catholics as religious sect, and t.
all adopted citizens, but especially the Irish. Blu
in combination with these views, which many re-
gard as narrow and bigottcd, they entertain senti.
ments in relation to city reforms and improvements
in the management of the municipal affairs, which
are sympathized in by thousands and thousands
throughout this mighty metropolis. We do not APP
prove OF the narrow and somewhat bigotted views
which many Of them hold in relation to Catho-
lcity nor do we believe that much danger is to be
apprehended from that quarter Nor do we enter
tain the opinion, that the naturalization of the
Irish, any other class OF foreigners after resi-
dence of five years, can in any degree prove detr
mental to the progress of liberty in this land. Blu
although thus dissenting from the "Amercan RI
publicans' on these points, which time will doubt
less alter and modify, certainly think that every
one, whether nativebor or foreign-born, must be
satisfied that something must be done in relation
to the Improvement of the city government and its
regeneration from the gross abuses which have pre-
vailed for years past We have already tried every
scheme-we have adopted every plan-we have tried
every party-and we have had nothing done in the
way of reform. Why not give fair trial to this
new party, protesting devotion to reform, and like
y from its structure and organization to fulfil its
pledges Why not try them for at least one year
Why not let them have opportunity of display.
ing their real character before we set them dowr
as hypocrites like the old parties!
We see, indeed, that the old factions, the wings
their tickets, md by all sorts of falsehood and mis-
representation deceivng the people as to their can
ddates and those that run against them. The TO-
cotocos .endeavor to create the belief that the 'na
lives" are wings in disguise, and calling on the
adopted citizens to come out ard elect the ocofoco
ticket because their opponents would deprive them
OF their liberties. This may have some effect in
certain quarters hH among intelligent men il will
A Il IL. 4.
are wings Is the most ridiculous one that could be
raised, when the truth is that the great mass o.
them are democrats from the democrac,
on account of the gross corruptions of the demo
cracy. On the contrary, the wings with more cum
ming, keep quiet; but at all their meetings take care
to talk about their desire for reform, and promised
to give it if their candidates be elected.
Thus both the old factions endeavor to detracl
from the motives and principles of the reform party
and to deceive the people into supporting their owr
party candidates But we do trust that for ono,
the honest, intelligent and upright citizens will
make an effort TO obtain the means of good govern
ment for the city. We trust they will shake of al
party uammels and party ties. 1t is all impor
tant for them to recoect that the questions t.
be decided in few days by this election can have
no influence the fortunes of Clay or Van Buren,
The friends oil bOth these distinguished men are
uniting in this reform movement, and so they may
without committing themselves on the Presidential
question in the slightest degree Next fall they
can go to work they please in that contest. Blu,
the Of justice, of integrity, of honesty, OF
good city government, let them not be again gulled
into neglect of their own immediate interests and
the interests of their city, by the old, hackneyed
false, humbugging appeals about the candidate foi
the Presidency. Let all now endeavorto ge, some.
thing done for the city, and not all for corrup
party.