The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-04

We had supposed that the testimony in the
case of the scene of riot and disorder which
took n ace at the Democratic Convention at
Syracuse had been completely exhausted But
not So There is more to come, and the last
piece of evidence is the best, the clearest and
the richest of all. We have heretofore publish
ed numerous cards and afiidayits on the subject
from the rowdies, shouldcr-hitters prize hght-
ers and bruisers Keenan, McCabe and MUIR
ply have figured in our columns, and thrown
food of light on what would otherwise have
been involved in obscurity But the aiiidavit
which we now subjoin is worth all the rest put
together. It makes the whole matter as clear
as monday. Hitherto the question was only
seen by the light of the moon. 1t is now illu-
mined by the effulgence of the sun.
II will be recollected that one Cornelius
Wood pushed Stryker, the chairman Of the
rowdy Convention, off the platform, and this
was charged on the Mozart Hall faction
by the Regency and its organs, and the
statement was sent far and wide on the
wings of the telegraph. The name of John
c. Heenan was also mentioned as being en-
gagged by the Mozart Hall party to break up
the Convention. But Heenan came out in an
affidavit and showed that ii was the Regency
and the Tammany Hall leaders who hired the
fighting men, and that as for himself he was the
guest of Captain Rynders who paid his bill,
and was in the interest of the party opposed to
Mozart Hall. And now, Cornelius Wood, who,
it was alleged, had pushed down Stryker at the
instigation Of the Mozart Hall men, comes out
in another affidavit declaring that he was in the
interest Of Tammany Hall and the Regency, as
represented by Cagger and Fowler, and that in
knocking down Stryker he knocked down the
wrong man, and intended to lay low Mr.. Al
word, the Chairman Of the regular and rival
Convention. From the former cards and aiIda-
Wits it also appeared, as through glass darkly,
that Captain Rynders enlisted and headed the
fighting men for the Old Wigwam, though he
published the other day curious certificate
which was beyond our comprehension. But
Cornelius Wood settles the matter, and here is
his affidavit-
AFFIDAVIT OF CORNELIUS WOOD, THE TAMMANY
RowDY WHO KNOCKED sTRYKER OFF THE PLATFORM
AT SYRACUSE.
CITY and County Of Netc iork-Cornelus Wood, being
duly sworn, doth depose and say, that seeing SO many
false statements in tho public press with reference to the
at the late Democratic State Convention at
Syracuse and finding that injustice done to many per
by act OF his own in which Mr.. John Stryker was
pushed from the platform at the Convention he induced
to make this dcpositiop:-And deppnen saith that he
went to that Convention as politician to participate with
others tho excitement which always exists ut such
places; that holding Office ut the time under Mcintyre,
By Abe Co, the contractors for the government pubic
labor he thought lie could be Of service to be
ticket to enter the hall whore the Convention was held
from person whom he knew to belong to the political
interest opposed Mayor Wood that the ticket sign
ed by Peter Cagge and that he had reason obeeye was
sent 10 him by Peter Csgger Isaac Fowler and that
he considered himself belonging to party Of men who
intended 10 have fight and break up the Convention If
directed to do So but in which the deponent did not in
tend to participate And this deponent further says that
when in Wietng Hall, after the chairman made,
great confusion and noise took place. that Captain Ryn
tho threatening to beat some OF tho
New York delegates; that during the disturbance
this deponcnt resolved to go upon the platform and
push the off, that this dcponent did so, supposng
at the time that he was doing right and getting
rid OF the who had right to act chairman Of the
Convention And this deponent further says that he had
known that he doing wrong he would not have done
he did, that he has doubt II the intention Of the
person who told him TO go and push the chairman of the
PLATFORM that he should push Mr. Alvord Off and not Mr.
Syker and that he did not know from the other,
and supposed he aiding the Cagger side Of the ques
ton in what hs did, And this dePonent further says that
he not know Mayor Wood personally that he had
no connection with him before the Convention and
that he is not in any manner connected with the Mozart
CORNELIUS WOOD.
Sworn this first day of October 1859 JOIN AyGl-
WE'VE Notary Public.
This is equally edifying and amusing. The
candor of the Tammany rowdy is admirable
He is not ashamed to own up that he was the
man who knocked down one of the chairmen.
The only thing he is ashamed of is that he
made such blunder as to tip over the wrong
man. For the mistake he is so sorry that if he
could gain access to an Episcopal Convention
he would seek dissolution for it side by side
with Bishop Onderdonk. Like Mr.. Heenan, he
could not bear the idea of having his name
identified with his political foes and of desert
ing his friends in the hour of their need. He
was, therefore, ''induced to make this deposit
ton" Like Mr.. Heenan, too, he went to the
Convention Of his own ACCORDION the love of
the fun-"to participate with others in the ex-
element which always exists at such places"
A row to rowdies is as attractive as q
dead deer to hungry dogs who are lured
from all quarters by the delicious scent.
In a democratic Convention with which
Tammany Hall has anything to do, rowdy
is as much in his element as q fish in the water
But though Cornelius Wood went to Syracuse
in obedience to his own pugnacious propensi-
ties-like Cartoons Irish tailor, "blue-mould-
ed for want of batin'," when he dragged his
"big coat" after his heels through the fair
hoping that somebody would tread on it as the
signal for set-to-yet Cornelius shrewdly and
sagaciously Thought he could be Of service
to be present" He held Office, he says, at the
time, under Mcintyre, Byxbie & Co., in the gov
eminent stores, and he was ready to do them
good turn. Now, it is well known that this
firm, who are supporters of Dickinson, made
solemn league and covenant on his behalf with
the Regency to get half of the delegates, and
they thus all became harmonious and loving,
like Barnum's Happy Family" They united