The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-08-05
Capt. Ingraham the Protector Of Kossta

ton brought oy Inc V"'""'S '"", s"o' WIG
danger Of collision between the American
and Austrian vessels was more serious than
had been supposed. Both ships appear to have
been cleared for action, and but for the pacific
intervention Of the British and French Con
suIs, an actual conflict must have taken place.
We should, Of course, have regretted such an
occurrence, vet we cannot but feel prond that
an American officer should have defended the
honor OF his flag, and the freedom of the OPP
pressed, without regard to the disparity be-
tween his own force and that by which, we
presume, from our previous accounts, he was
surrounded.
Civic Reform.
We find in the New York Tribune most
earnest, able, and eloquent denunca ion of the
system under which the municipal Offices of
the Empire city have been by turns bestowed
as a premium upon the most efficient party or
ganization. The Tribune describes the ,nodus
with the accuracy of constant observation. 1t
presents philosophical exposition of social
evil--the diagnosis Of a disease to which all
parties are subject, and the prognosis of NOR
tally from which no party is exempt. The
progress of civic corruption is somewhat as fol-
lows: In spite Of their professions of patriot
ism, parties rely more upon the venality than
the virtue of the people. The chief OBJ
ject is therefore to obtain command of the
public disbursements, and by applying them.
with the incidental object of purchasing sup
port or disarming opposition, secure a suffi-
cient strength to carry out the principles
npon which the party organization has been
based. Unhappily the influence Of evil may
be made to operate with great effect upon the
results of party conflict. The managers,
therefore, who are charged with the direction
of political campaign employ those who will
will not hesitate TO bring to bear all the pow
ers of intemperance and violence. This con-
stltutes each corner doggery or gas-lit restau-
rant redoubt to be defended at any Gust. From
these crowds of madmen sally forth upon the
quiet and orderly citizen. whose party badge may
differ from their own, and in this stronghold
such assalants take refuge when compelled to
retreat by superior force of the same charac-
ter enlisted on the other side.
The value of these dangerous auxiliaries
terminates with the election, and the cOmmu-
nifty, without respect to party, must maintain
the police for their restraint, the aimshouse
and hospital for their support, the prison for
their discipline. 1t must besides provide for
all the indirect consequences of widowed want
and helpless orphanage, to which violence and
vice contribute SO large quota. But the evil is
not limited to the effect upon public economy.
The leaders who invoke such aid, having dis
banded their troops to forage upon free quar-
tiers, repair to the marquee of the successful
commanders to report their own prowess and
demand their pay. This is rendered in the
shape of excessive compensation for the supply
of the public wants, y salaried appointments
whose best perquisites often consist in collision
and plumber.
Amongst the consequences of such a system
cited by the Tribune is the rate and amount of
corporate taxation. This has grown to an
amount so astonishing that nothing except an
unprecedented commercial activity could enable
the population TO sustain it.
From these causes it seems that the people
of New York were compelled, without regard
10 party, TO adopt the reform charter, which was
carried by an immense majority. 1t is now
said that the candidates for corporate Offices
will be voted for without regard to their Fede-
raj affiliations. We trust result, in which all
good citizens, without regard to their location,
are SO deeply interested, will succeed.
The evil described has occasoned the de-
struction of every Republic except our own.
Parties have in their insane warfare employed the
most dangerous stipendiaries, and having with
their aid conquered their enemies, are them
selves subjected in turn. 1t will be a signal
triumph, therefore, if we can arrest an evil
heretofore so destructive. This can only be done
by virtuous determination to reform the adj
minlstration of the laws, and then determine
upon the system of policy upon which it is to
be conducted Let the American motto be-
Honesty first, policy afterwards. Whilst,
tons of our country are to be impaired by the
organization of Pretorian cohorts or desperate
Janissaries, we shall yet look with anxiety
upon the proposed combination of all good citi-
zens to restore the rule of order, honesty, and
official competency. Its success will prove
that, if such an evil as has overspread and
oyerthrown the popular governments of anti |
guilty, should ever manifest itself upon scale |
of sufficient magnitude to alarm the patriotism
OF the country, general union of all good citi-
zens will, without respect to party allegiance, !
unite to eradicate it.
De Bows Review.
IL