The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-03
Democracy as Developed In Our Cit.
Election.

Election.
All the troubles, intrigues and sgitatons
that are at the present moment shaking up the
dry bones of the old European nations have
for thoir foundation simple political problem,
to wit: whether people are moro prosperous
and happy under republican than under an
imperial or monarchical government Carl
baldi, Mazzini, and other so-called liberators,
together with the mysterious hosts Of Fenian-
ism, desire that all the thrones Of Europe shall
be destroyed, and that the free voice Of the
people shall take the place of the divine rights
Of kings; while the Pope, the Emperor
Napoleon, Queen Victoria and all the crowned
understrappers of the Old World are resolved
upon preserving their present agreeable and
profitable forms Of government intact Both
sides to this interesting struggle look naturally
to the great republic across the Atlantic for
practical arguments with which to strengthen
their respective positions--the reformers for
proofs of our Advancement enterprise and
respectability the autocrats for evidence of
our faults. follies and failures
In such q test New York Is certain 10 attract
the greatest share Of observation and ate ntion,
as'the centre Of the commercial interests, the
intellect and business talant Of the New World;
and what sort Of spectacle does the great
metropolis present at the present moment to
the eyes Of Europes An election takes place
to-day for the chief executive magistrate Of the
city, and during the two preceding weeks we
have seen the candidates between whom the
,hvr1o tinu tho otr md
enlivening the grogshops Of Mackerelville
and the Five Points by abusing each
other in every conceivable way, and
endeavoring to convict each other Of
all sorts Of official dishonesty and miscon-
duct. The respectable Hoffman has been as
eloquent on the delinquencies and short
comngs of the magnificent Fern ,ndo Wood as
the magnificent Wood has been on tn ose of
the respectable Hoffman; and the imp ression
Of disinterested parties who have listened to
the TRADES Of either OF the candid ates must be
that his opponent is better qualified for the
State Prison than for the City Hall Nor has
the case been at all improved by thu aid Of
the subsidiary orators, such as tina. fine young
Irish gentleman, Richard O'Gorman, who have
only served to stir up the dirt and filth OF the
political puddle more efectually by proving
that they have been dealing out the peoples
money as literally as If it had been their own,
and with perfect indifference as to whether
the recipients might be leading republicans or
copperhead confidence men. No matter who
the orator or what his position in public life,
the story has been the same, and the result has
Al L.. el.o T. L. .l.p~
municipal election controversy there is not
pin to choose between tho two prominent cam
didates according to their own stories and the
testimony Of their supper tiers, the only diff
ference between Hoffman and Wood being in
the color of their mustaches. There has, it Is
true, been third candidate in the field, who
enjoys respectable reputation, is member
of great many churches and possesses ell
the Christian virtues but his own party
friends have thrown him overb oard from the
first moment Of his nomination, and everybody
turns up the nose at him and gives him up as u
bad bargain. So that the choice for the chief
magistrate Of the great city of New York lies
between two men, each Of whom proves the
other to be utterly unworthy Of public conf
uencc or res pecL
With this spectacle before them Is it surpris-
ing that Disraeli and the other plausible
toadies OF aristocracy in the Old World should
sheer at the United States, and question whether
the nations Of Europe are prepared to plunge
into such democracy as we present for their
example on this side OF the Atlantic I We are
accustomed TO hear Louis Napoleon denounced
as tyrant and oppressor; but can we shut
our eyes to the fact that he is the best executive
officer Paris has ever known, and that If we
could elect him Mayor OF New York the people
would be the gamers by his rule With the
single exception OF the Park, the whole public
property in New York is suffered to fall into
ruin and decay, and TO become burden on
the taxpayers The people can find no relief,
either from city officials, Legislatures or con-
stitutional conventions. indeed, between the
two greatest institutions Of the State, the
Legislature and The State Prison. there Is very
little to choose, except that our big robbers
are sent to the former and our little thieves to
the latter. Oar whole system Of government,
as at present carried out, Is farce and dis
grace, and only serves to furnish the monarch
lists Of the Old World with arguments against
republican institutions. Nor can we expect
any reform 50 long as tho people submit
patiently 70 the present enormous burden Of
taxation. While we are contented TO pay
twenty-four million dollars year without
grlmbling fer city taxation alone, and TO see
our national and State taxes roll up by hun
dreds Of millions OF dollars, the richness Of
the prize will foster corruption and keep us at
the mercy Of the plundcrers. II needs a move
ment Of the people in thor might to sweep
away these abuses, to reform our national,
State and municipal governments and to estab-
lish the character OF republican institutions in