New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-22
THE DEMoCRAcY IN DIFFICULTIES.

AN AVALANCHE OF BLESSINGs-THE DOWN
TRODDEN DEMOCRACY AND ITS DEMANDS
CHANGES IN THE LINE AND sTAFF-Gov.
HoFFMAN's PROPHEsY-JUPITER TO THE
RESCUE.
AIBANy, Dec. 16.-It is natural and charitable TO
help our neghbors in distress AT this moment ones
sympathes overflow toward the leaders of the New
York Democracy So long as they were occasionally
blessed with victory they could point 10 it with
pride as evidence of the vitality of the party but
to carry the State and the Senate and the Assembly
and to get control of the Court of Appeals this
lanche of blessings, tumbled unexpectedly upon
them. exctes in their breasts emotions very much
like those of a small child under torrent of sugar
plums when the most extravagant desires would
have been satisfied by a handful. That abdominal
pains should be felt by either the political or in
fantle recipient of such profuse fayOs to be
pected.
While the rank and file Of the Democratic party
could indulge in potations Of beer and rum and thus
inspired could, in language more vehement than ele
CANT condemn the Republican party and Republican
legislation TO locality where the extortions of coal
monOpolists have no terrors for the denizens; and
while Democratic orators could harangue. and Dem
ocratic editors invegh against 1.-THE infamous dis
ordinations of the Z" Radicals" dgainst the people
of the cities IN the matter Of focal self govern
ment," Inelf course OF aClOH wan NAVui anu
minds were serene But the constant repetition of
this conduct has brought the Democratic party to
believe that in the cities of NewYor aud Brooklyn,
the people are reduced to the Ultimate limit of
political pulverization between the Police Commits
sion and the Excise Commission as tie upper and
neither millstones of governmental oppression.
Hence, Democratic voters expect and demand the
demolition of all commissions created for the govern
ment of cities, and that the people, as the original
source of mower shall be allowed TO appoint their
own municipal rulers.
1t is beautiful TO see the Democratic brethren
thus dwelling and swearing together inunty; but
profanity will repeal no laws; legislative action
alone by Democratic Solons can abolish those
despotio enactments of their predecessors which
have so well-nigh quenched as they pretend Demo
cratic freedom. But repeating laws isnot by any
means all. The duty of constructive craftsmanship
is also imposed upon the Democratic legislature.
soon to meet here and in that particular it may be
fairly expected that they will be little awkward
from want of practice. The public will not be
surprised to learn therefore, that the leaders of the
party outside of New-York City. appalled, by the
prospect presented, have had several meetings IN
this city and New.York, to consult rs TO what was
demanded by the exigencies Of tho situation Nor IS
it at all astonishing TO find that after one delibera-
ton they expressed the opinion that the towering
talents of the Hon. Mr. Irving were more servioable
to the party at primary meeting than IL mapping
ont plans for the government of cities that
they distrusted the constructive talents OF
the forensic Frear in q legislative combat with
some of the members OF the opposition
that they regarded the irepressible Muphy-him
with the military appellation-as better fitted by
natural talent and education to lead the marshaed
hosts of the Fenian army in the homeguard depart
ment than to lead in debate or cite precedents on
questions of municipal law; that even the colossal
intellect of Peter Mitchell might not be equal to the
requirements of leader of the House, however 1t
might enable him TO concOct cobblers, compound
cocktails, and dispense drinks over the counter Of
the school Of Democracy in the Eighth Ward OF
your city, of which he is the distinguished head; that
even the doughty Fields-though weighing IL stone
10 was classed as a feather-weght in view Of the
heavy work required that the Hon. Timothy >.
Campbell the Hon. Dennis Burns, and even the
Hon. Owen Cayanagh, though available IN q Vote
had not sufficient literary or legal acumen 70 secure
enduring fame in the walks Of craftsmanship. MOI
is it any surprise to learn that there was concur
rent sentiment that William Tweed could with
profit to the party, allow the Democratic members
TO designate the organization and that the Speaker
of the House should by all means, be selected from
some locality other than the metropolis.
That the ge teman who thus informally assem-
bled should require Gov. Hoffman TO keep the city
members from stealing in order that his pckwickan
prophesy of the dawn Of the Legislative integrity IN
1870 might be fulfilled, does seem as rather severe on
his Excelency and if he accepted the contract 1t Is
to DO hoped that no forfeiture Is imposed by It's
terms as the penalty Of failure.
VIII not some modern Jupiter help the Democratic
leaders In their hour of great tribuaton and over
powering success Doubtless even many Republic
cans deeply sympathze with them, but something
more is Notwithstanding practical-ior 1t is pam
fully clear that sympathy cannot help them over
their difficulties