Year: 1875




we are on the eve of the greatest politi-
cal event that Wilmington has ever known.
To the masses it may not appear as such,
but 10 those who are imbued with the i'm
portance of quick political action .oc the
masteryitis is very manifest. Upon matters
of this Kind it is always we'll to talk
plainly, and let the people know reasons
and facts, rather than mere eassertions made
for effect. For nine years previous TO the
election of Mayor Simms the Republican
party held undisputed sway in Whining
ton. They held by reason Of strength the
power OF dictation in City government.
They pros,ituted in this strength the dignity
Of honesty and laid bare the abuse Of their
power. 1t is well-known to the people
of Wilmington that in the City Council a
ring more atrocious in the boldness of its
acts has existed than ever occupied posi-
tion in the history of the party here before
Led by shrewd, astute politicians, whose
love foS party has been actuated by the
gain that party has given them, they
have been barnacles upon the party fabric,
sucking away the strength of its'existence
for individual benefit.


I. has been these yenal men who have
made the party tickets, who have pulled
the political wires, who sacrificed not only
their own dignity but that Of their party
which has bred a disaffection in the Re-
publican ranks. To them belongs the
credit of corruption, if there is credit in it.
To them belongs all that is groveling in
politics and to them may be ascribed a
Capitalization of power in the few that
has completely disgusted those of that
party who have any principle Of gentility
and freedom and wrought dissatisfaction
that foreshadows great triumph for the
Democratic ticket in the next election.
The election of Mayor Simms, though by
small majority, was a triumph, one that
came by the untiring efforts TO rescue the
people from just such 4 reign of rings as
tha, which has now bred disaffection
among its own people.


There is an old and very trite saving
that "man like water must find its level"
That such is applicable to politicians finds
ample evidence in the unerring certainty
with which the ring in our Council are
nearing the level that will lead to COM
plete annihilation from the hands of their
own party. The agents of their party's
ruin, the benefactors of themselves only, the
magnates Of political wisdom that like
the fool has been judged according to its
own folly, they have led to one of the most
serious disturbances the Republican party
Of Wilmington has ever known.


The Democrats have improved their op-
portunities well, and are thoroughly orga-
nized for the coming fight. Their ticket has
been nominated and they are a unit for its
election. The triumph of the party in the
election Of Mayor Simms was recognized as
brilliant triumph and the one which will
crown their efforts next month will be still
brighter. They enter the fight with those
great essentials to party success-thorough
organization and earnest devotion to the
effort Of triumphing. which forms bull
wark Of strength. The minority of the
past is to be the incentive fora superiority
in the future, and with the Centennial will
dawn new era Of democratic icsuccess in the
city of Wilmington that will be worthy of
!. a grand celebration.