The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-02
TIE PHILADELPHIA MAYoRALTY.
Moclurs's Acceptance Of the Preferred H0n,A"
ton az the Constitutional Candidate-h~
speech-The True Issue Before the feopie
Tho Duties Of Hospitality in iS'o-
Tho House To Be Set in 0rder'
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. l, 1874.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. l. 1874.
A. an, urasontation TO Colonel Mcclure last
.von,no Of the nomination OF the independent
Action for the mayoralty OF the city OF Phila-
a.,nh,a he made brilliant and emphatic speech.
=, =, ba reviewed the history OF the faults in the
rupn,cinal government, exposed the frauds OF the
old system charged The crime and disorder under
n 10 those to whom IL was due and stated with
INDICTMENT discrimination and clearness the true
issues before the people. His address was quite
long, and is highly praised for Its force and
eioquence After the fine Introduction which he
made, he said -
THE ISSUE PRESENTED.
The issue In this election presented is so plain
that he who runs may read. The men who assailed
the new constitution with bitterness and BIAS
phemed it boldly and fell in the struggle by an
overwhelming vote, now reappear before the tri-
Dunal Of the people and ask that they shall be
charged with the introduction and enforcement OF
the reforms declared for on the 10th OF December.
The citizens who battled for reform and gave 1t a
decisive victory over these ofiiceholders are now
asked to stultiy themselves and say that the men
whose abuse OF power made constitutional re-
Btralnts supreme necessity are the proper men
70 apply the safeguards the people demanded ana
obtained. 1t Is
AN INSULT TO THE INTELLIGENCE OF PHILADELPHIA
TO assume that her citizens, i'll mercurlal freak,
gave 81, 600 majority tor the new constitution In De-
cember, and in sixty days WILL by another freak,
apologize To the rulers they condemned, and sub
init the city and the new constitution TO their ad
ministration. The action OF the people logically
and imperauvey foroids 1t. BY the provisions OF
the new constitution the people OF Philadelphia
have resumed their immediate authority over
their own affairs. One OF the reforms most
desired was to strip the Legislature OF all
control OF our city, by special enactment,
and it has been DONE The legislative power
ever our highways, our revenues, our eXpendl-
tiOns Affecting the prosperity oil the city is now
irrevocaoy conferred upon the city Councils anu
xhn
corrupt there is no relief 10y an appeal TO the Leg
1slature. AS the people constitute their NUM-
cipal government now II must remain, without re-
straint or reversal, until the terms OF officials
expire 1t is, therefore, illogical TO declare that
officials In the adoption OF the new constitution,
merely 10 give them back enlarged powers to OPP
press and degrade our municipality.
THE PEOPLE RULE
The people OF Philadelphia now have their own
government entirely IN their own hands. The re-
sponsibiity is polntedly lodged where it properly
belongs, and ii the legislative and executive au-
thoritles are abused 1t will be because citizens are
unfaithul to their immediate and most important
interests. Men OF Philadelphia look out over your
city at the candidates presented as the representa-
tive men OF the present rule, to whose hands you
are asked to commit your government when lt Is
about 70 prepare to welcome the nations OF the
earth to your midst, and answer to your con-
sciences whether you can give this rule your sane
uon
RorrENNEss OF THE OLD SYSTEM.
This is the issue be decided this contest, and
not whether Mr. Stokley Mr.. Mcclure Shall be the
Mayor, or whether other particular individuals are
the men ON either city ticket would be faithful to
the public interests if they owed their succe
solely to the approving judgment OF the people OF
Philadelphia, and were free from all the exactions
OF those who use power to barter power to others;
but no official created by this system can be Just
to the community and biameess in mis- office
while 1t is master OF the people. AS long
as II remains supreme IN our midst sue
cessful assault upon its picket line Will accom-
plish substantial good. 1t Is Idle to investigate
treasurers accounts, or to prove that contractors
defraud the city, or TO demonstrate TO a IN athe-
NAUTICAL certainty mat elections polluted while
the system remains untouched, and has power
enough to protect those who commit crime IN its
interest
DUTIES OF HOSPITALITY.
Citizens OF Philadelphia great duties press
upOn We are the people charged with the pre-
gentatiOn OF the benefcence OF free institutions to
the nations OF the world in 1875. II proters us the
highest honors ever proposed to any community in
the history OF any country. 1t must be an epoch
OF GROWING, exceptional grandeur, or 1t must be
consuming shame. From the governments OF
Europe from the isles OF the sea and from the lands
OF the pagans. will come the peoples OF the earth
TO witness the urlumphs OF self-government Our
house must be in order for their coming. Our gov
eminent must be something more than political
system, with no higher purpose than the selfish in
terests of its supporters We must turn to the
mighty commonwealth that Is behind us, and
gather from her treasures the jewels OF freedom.
The wealth OF her mines, OF her fields, OF her
forests; the triumphs OF an educated ana requited
industry; the fruiton OF our schools and colleges
and churches, and all the countless blessings OF
liberal Christian civilization, created by the free
dom OF culture, OF religion and or every channel OF
advancement must be woven In the rich chaplet
with which the Great Republic is to be wreatbed.
And this, the cradle OF our liberty, must present
THE MONUMENT OF FREE GOVERNMENT
without stain upon its column or blister upon It's
crown. Our highways must challenge the acmira-
tIon Of the subjects OF the monarcnies we nave
shown to be needless. Our public improvements
must be imposing tributes to our thrift end prog
ress and our Park must be the fountain OF excel
lence from which grateful memories will reach the
remotest corners of the world. II Philadelphia
can best achieve these trlumphs by the mainten-
0nce OF the political system | have assaled, it
should be given decisive victory in this struggle,
and / should be defeated. The issues rise far
above any man or set OF men, and all l ask Of my
fellow citizens is that they shall be just to the
selves, to their great city and to the high destiny
hot "a l4 laolr anniaxx