The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-03-25
Local Politics.

AfOt" OhAbhNSe
1t is easy to learn in whose hands is too
much of the political power of this city,
by an observation of the knots of un-
wholesome-looking individuals that, on
the approach of day of municipal cleo
ton, congregate around corners in the
vicinity of the political centers- the
Courthouse, the City Buildings, and the
drinking-shops where the primary meet
ings are holden. From one to another Of
these knots, well-dressed persons circu-
late, speaking in familiar terms with the
parties of which they are composed, or
holding with them what appear to be con
sultations of confidential character.
These are, it is to be supposed, gentlemen
who have candidates. in view, and who
are at once providing to secure Office,
and-although they may not be aware of
it-fxing the standard of their perform
ance Of its duties. 1t is here that the
perishing and the dangerous classes
among us acquire a disproportionate i'm
portance in our public affairs, and con-
tribute so largely to give tone to all
branches Of our city government 1t is
useless to deny that there is a bond of law
(which ties together all human things
W. hich insures to every cause its appro-
pri ate effect, and refers every effect to its
ado quate cause; and nothing is moro cer-
tain than that the man who depends upon
the low and the degraded for his eleva-
ton, will carry the spirit of the low and
degraded into his administration.
God grant that it be not by the hard
lessor Of a municipal bankruptcy that the
people of Cincinnati learn that the local
is the most important, and of the most
real interest to them of all the phases of
government. That which Congress does
produces little of effect that is pcrceptible
to anybody. The State Legislature may
do considerable mischief, but its power is
limited in various ways. Public bank
ruptcy, intOlerabIe taxation and criminal
peculation come from the local polity.
In the cities of this Union, those which
are respectfully governed are the excep-
ton. The majority Of them are in the
hands of the worst Of their population
their finances squandered, their real in
terests neglected, and their administra-
tions unsafe and disreputablc,
1t is, perhaps, useless to exhort those
classes who have a real interest in the
preservation of order and the practice OF
economy, to make themselves examples
Of the rigid performance of their political
duties-to attend the primary meetings,
to see that good men are nominated to
vote, and vote for such as they know to
be faithfuland trustworthy Exhortation,
indeed, seldom produces any effect, ex-
cept to fatigue thepe-son exhortcd. Those
who pay the bulk of the taxes, might save
something and gain something by paying
a little attention to the local politics of the
day; but if they do not see fit 50 to do,
they must be content to abide the penalty.
The really industrious-thc men who
work with their hands-are they who, all
things considered, are the safest deposi-
tories of political power: that is to say,
they would be so, if they could be made
to consent to throw off the shackles Of
party, and act upon their own rational
convictipns-giving their votes for the best
man, irrespective of the party to which
he belongs. There is now need of this
species of independence. In a local elec
tion, every man may have some knowledge
of the character of the candidate to whom
he gives his vote; the right to act upon
which he should never in any way com
promise. ------- ----