Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-07-16

CITY PoLITIcs.-Wc have never been able to
sec the process of reasoning, by which men ar
rive at the conclusion, that city politics are Of
no importance. Yet that many good men, and
otherwise good citizens, do so conclude is un-
deniable. Why is this so Are the politics
of nation Important Ii so why Is it not
because OF the manner in which the affairs of
nation influence the general welfare Now
we ask our readers candid judgment, as to
whether their or our individual security, happi-
ness and comfort depend less upon the adminls-
tration Of affairs Immediately about MS, than on
those which concern us as part of a nation.
Let us take homcly illustration. Suppose
man to have talents, honors, and wealth so as
to BIO regarded by his neighbors as occupying
a most enviable position. Suppose that he
commands the respect and regard Of his fellow
citizens, and the honor of tine State. Yet
suppose, that at the same time, he had at home,
slatternly wife, and an ill-kept house, would
it be possible Tor him TO be happy. The par
tcular community around us occupies an anal
ogous relation. What though our land be
honorable and honored by all the world---what
though she stands forth as living illustration
of glorious rrinciples-what though her flag
rides triumphant OH every sea and her name
is known and feared wherever the suns rays
light . spot OF earth 2 What is all this,
and more than this if we cannot sit down
in security under our own vine and Zig tree,
with none to modest or to make us afraid
We are dwelling beneath a despotism, just
80 far as our personal security is liable to
be disturbed, by lawless or unjust proceedings
upon the part of others. We may call it a
democracy, il We please, as we may call evil
good, yet that wont make it SO.
The particular ends sought to be attained by
city government, though different, are not less
important than those sought by State, or nation
nj gsyernments. The difference is, that the lat
er affect the happiness of larger number. But
the happiness of any individual, is equally as
important as that of any other, or others
Your individual happiness, and that OF those
Immediately connected with you, is more an
object of your regard than the welfare of those
whom you know not, nor ever saw. This is
natural, and right but let us be consistent.
Our own happiness, depends ina great measure
upon the well-beng of others. So far as onr
influence extends, and SO far as itailects Others
We arc bound to SEQ that they are not to suffer
through any fault of ours. Now as citizens
OF this community, all of us have, in u greater
or less degree, in our hands power which
does affect others, either torgood or i'll. Either
by neglecting or undertaking the importance OF
our relations as citizens, we suffer the power
which we might WELD, to pass into the hands
of others. In theory the position Of each
citizen is equally influential, yet practically, BY
neglecting 10 use it, we permit others, in addi
ton to that legtimately belonging to them, tt
exercise that which belongs to us. By allow
ing our influence to remain passive, We become
really aids to the schemes of designing dema
gogues. And so the paradox is presented, o
men numbered among tho best OF a community
standing, practically, side by side with thos,
who seek to inllpe nee the delegated power o
that community, to their own selfish ends.-
Such are some Of the mischiefs worked b.
leaving undone those things which ought to b.
done.
These considerations become important il
view of our approaching municipal election
And we shall in all probability have occasion t
recur to the subject.