The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-05-02

establishment of complete despotism. For
either result some of the new provisions seem
peculiarly adapted. The system of having but
one legislative body, and that one supreme In the
State, is we'll adapted TO give an irresponsible
rule to some factious and wordy demapogue
whose strong will shall rule it with unlimited
Sway. To this result another of its proyi-
scns also tends No deputy can now be
elected who does not reside in the district
he is cent to represent. Thisule, which is copied
from us, and which carries into our Congress no
small number of brawny men, excellent at swing
ing an axe on our western frontier, but poor
choppers of logic, will have still more detri-
mental operation in Mexico. There, where six
Of her seven millions of population are Indians
or mixed races, and where many districts having
the required number for representation have
barely white man In them, it will bring the Az
tees to the halls Of legislation and give prepon-
derance to the native races. We may yet see
new Montezuma enthroued there, or il may be
that the people will tire Of the rule of misrule
and adopt the axiom of Santa Anna: that these
congresses and oongrsstos have been the ruin of
the nation, and must be swept away. rs
The Pending Struggle for Municipal Liberty.
The contest now pending between the police
and municipal authorities of the city and the
nominees Of the Legislature at Albany for the
appointment and control of the police is in one
point of view, the most remarkable and most mo-
mentous political struggle that has occurred in
this country since the Revolution. For the issue
is not whether Mr.. Draper or Fernando Wood
shall appoint the police; it is whether this city
shall or shall not continue to be a selfgoverning
independent community. Free municipal gov
eminent isin the scale; if the Mayor and municipal
authorities win the day, 1t will be preserved; but
If the appointees Of the late Legislature succeed
in foistng themselves upon the community In
their official capacity, then free municipal gov
eminent will be at an end in New York.
1t Is, We repeat, q novel, as well as remark
able contest. From the time of the Revolution to
the present, such nefarious attempt on the part
of majorities to trample upon minOrities, no such
endeavor on the part of State to crush out free
local franchises has ever been made in this coun-
try. In the heat Of our hottest political strifes,
the successful party has always had decency
enough to respect those of its rivals rights which
were inherent essences Of republican institutions
On several occasions, collisions have occurred
between the federal government and the States
they have uniformly terminated in the victory of
the latter. 1t was so well understood that the
safety Of institutions and the progress of the
republic depended on the maintenance of the in
dependence Of the States, that arms would. on
many occasions, have been appealed to, if no
other mode of repellng the exorbitant demands
and encroacbments Of the general government
could have been used with effect This is, so
far as We remember, the first occasion on which
the next step has been taken, and city has been
called upon to defend its rights and its indepen-
dence against the exorbitant demands and en-
croachments of State government
We know, precisely, what the result will be if
the attempt Of the Legislature succeeds If the
measures of the New York Legislature are car
ried into legal effect, the example which 1t has
set will be followed with regard to every promi-
nent city throughout the country. As almost
every large city differs in its political opinioss
from the back country which surrounds II, we
may expect to hear Of the Acknowledgement of
every leading city and the usurpaton of its mu-
nicipal rights by the government Of the State.
Al this very moment the democratic Legislature
of Louisiana is pursuing toward the Know No
thing city of New Orleans the very same course
that the republican Legislature of New York
has pursued toward this city, and a
plot Of the same nature Is impending
in Massachusetts,. Political parties, all
the world over, are identical in rapacity selfish
ness, and ambition; pull down the barriers of
principle which have hitherto restrained our par
ties let il be generally understood that domi-
Bant party need respect no laws, customs, usages,
principles or fundamental doctrines in It's thirst
for The anpihila;ion OF its rival and every cleo.
tOn will DC followed by decree Of ostracism
Tat will bc a death blow to free political life in
America
1t is no new experiment-this thing OF centrali-
zaticn. France one OF the finest, aud most fruit
full countries in the world, with people iugcni-
Gus, cleaTheaded, intelligent and bravc-is there
10 show whore Capitalization must lead Between
the utter darkness Of the Middle Ages and the
fifteenth century. French freedom hid found a
refuge in the bosom Of free cities, which abound
cd throughout the kingdom Macy or these cities
we're poor; some we're small; but all enjoyed
full measure OF sclfgovcrnment chose their own
magistrates, administered their own funds. Nci-
iher kings nor barons molesied them and slowly,
steadily, some more than Others. from peculiar
circumstances they throve Meanwhile the con-
test between the monarchy and the fcudal arts
tocrOcy being virtually concluded by the victory
Of the former, the kings turned their attention
TO the free cities They were stumbling block,
and = practical rcfu,ation Of royal despotim.
One by one, the Kings began to attack them.
This one was accused Of disloyalty and disfran-
chised by way of punishment Another was de-
nriyed Of municipal riRhLa bocanse 4 chose