Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-03-28
The City Elections -clti1on,' Convention.

The City Elections -Cttizcns' Conventions.
"All citizens opposed to Democratic mis-
rule are requested" in some of the city pa-
pers, ITO meet at Greenwood Hall this morn
ing to nominate Citizens Ticket 10 be sup
ported ut the coming spring election"
Why Democratic misrulep Is Opposition
misrule any less Objectionable than Demo
cratic misrule? The Opposition has the con-
troll of the City Council now. Are the Citi-
zens to look to that as immaculate, in nomi
mating ticket against Democratic misrule2
We desire TO pronounce no condemnation on
any portion of the City Council, but is the
continuation of the Opposition control the
highest object aimed at by the Citizens move
ment3 If so, there are, perhaps, many of
our citizens whose sympathies would not be
enlisted. Then II could hardly be called
citizens movement.
If not, why specify Democratic misrule as
the only aim? Substantial citizens of all
parties, outside the managers, have the same
motives in regard to city affairs and differ
but little in their views Of policy. Doubtless
there are thousands of Democrats who would
be glad to join in an honest movement to put
men in Office who have some other character
and reputation to entitle them to public con-
fidence than their party allegiance; but these
are driven closer into their party discipline
by this call, which, under the name ofa Citi-
zens movement, proscribes Democratic mis-
rule exclusively.
We doubt if there is any disposition in the
citizens generally who will take part in this
movement, to limit the scope of its reform so
as to exempt the misrule of any party, or to
exclude Democrats from it.
One thing may be relied upon: the Demo-
cratic party is not going to abandon its Or
ganization. No citizens or peoples move
ment will stop the party machinery; and if
the citizens movement drivesaway Democrats,
il will be still-born in all the Democratic
wards; so, also, in the city at large. No pop
ular organization has the ghost of chance,
which at the start draws aparty line and rules
out the majority. II will only operate as an
outside pressure to maintain Democratic diI-
cipline. ....
The only practicable way for a Citizcrs
nomination to succeed, is to include the whole
people, and without setting up any party
exclusiveness, to recognize existing party
elements Let the Citizens Conventions, in
Democratic Wards, select the best Democrats
they can find; who have characters which
enttle them to public confidence, in spite of
their party afinities; and pursue the same
policy in Opposition or Republican Wards.
There is no use in affecting to ignore party
afIinities. 1t would be as easy to ignore the
elements. This method will respect the party
preferences of all, and will concede them to
the majority; while it will ignore the party
discipline and machinery, and will be actu-
ally, what is professedly desired, peoples
nomination.
The majority of voters, then, will have the
choice between the nominees of their party
caucuses, and nominees of their own party,
selected on their merits, outside of the party
machinery. Can it be doubted that, in such
n case, superior merit and claims to public
confidence will receive the popular voice2