The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-06-09

| VudtICt VI tuc OAOu. LINUS, ulOuSu III tub III
terval we may support the administration of
Mr.. buchanan, in 1860 We may contribute to the
| election of Fremont Who knows
| THE MUNICIPAL QUESTION WIDENING. - The
municipal question in this city involved In the
opposition raised by the authorities to six or
eight usurpipg acts of the last Legislature is one
of the most novel, interesting and important ever
raised in any political arena since the days of the
Declaration Of Independence. This is the first
time that the democratic principle Of local 60
vernment-which is the foundation of all liberty,
and the foundation especially of American liber-
Twas endangered by the open and outrageous
! attempt of an oligarchy in the State to centra-
lie all power within its own hands, and to re-
duce the commonwealth of New York to con-
dltion Of abject dependence on the State govern
ment similar to that which we see existing in
France. where the Mayor or municipality of
city cannot open street, build dock or do any
other little act Of local government without the
permission or direction of the Emperor.
Those atrocious acts against which there is
general sentiment of condemnation and opposi-
ton in this community sprung from the teeming
brains of William II. Seward, Thurlow Weed,
Governor King and their confreres, for the pur-
pose of concentrating all the local power Of the
cities counties towns and villages Of the State at
Albany, and Of controlling thereby the political
destinies of New York in all future operations
This reasonable conspiracy against the republi-
can institutions Of the country was first indicated
by an open attack on the chartered rights and the
municipal privileges of the city Of New York and
should prove~uccossful, we will coon see the cen
trail system Of police established in every city and
county of the State-we will soon witness the
spectacle Of bureau at Albany debating aud
carrying out measures for the opening of parks,
building of city halls, and every other detail OF
local government for every city, town and village
in the State That Ia the natural and inevitable re-
suit of the principle now sought to be initiated
But happily this first attempt to establish such
an etrOcious oligarchy was made upon the city of
New York, where intelligence, clearness OF vision
ard determination OF character exist ia their
highest forms As was 10 be expected, this egis
lative encIoachment upon our municipal liberties
vas promptly met and resisted. The constita-
uonality or non-consttutonality of these mea-
sures is now to be passed upon by the Cour. of
/ Appeals and We have every confidence tina! the
decision to be rendered by that eour. Of last re-
sort will prevent any future repetition Of the
! experiment Of trsmpling upon the chartered
and inchoate rights of free municipality.
! Meanwhile, the movement in opposition made
/ lie tho Movor and Cornoratinp Of
day Increasing and widening in is influence; and
We have every reason TO believe tha. al the next
fall election the great masses Of those who las.
year formed the bulk OF the Fremont
party, and the bulk Of the Fillmore
party in this city and State, will cordially
and unanimously unite in one common phalaux
TO rebuke and pu. down forever this attempt at
revolution, this effort to overthrow local govern
ment, made by the Central Club organized at
| Albany under the auspices Of Weed, Sc ward Il
Company The friends Of Fremont, who brought
him forward last year ia opposition 10 the tools
Of Seward, arc independent republicans. They
are supporters OF The grea. democratic principle
Of free local Institutions and they never will act
with or support any party whose programme Is
TO overthrow municipal rights, and centralize all
local governments throughout the State in a bu-
reau in Albany. The same may be said Of the
friends Of Fillmore. We have reason 20 believe
that movements are now on foot among the
masses OF both these designations 10 Jg7n grand
union for the purpose Of putting down, defeating
and crushing forever this usurps.ory scheme on
the part Of Seward, Weed and their associates
THT SOUTHERN CoNvENT1oN.--we published
yesterday a report Of much more sensible
Southern Convention than usual-we mean the
one held at Bristol, Tennessee, for the purpose Of
inviting the prorrietors of the Great Eastern 10