The New York herald., 1872-10-03
a Grand Opportunity for . Coup
d'Etat by the Politicians.

0'EteV ny tho FOllt1clonss
We look upon the nomination of William
Butler Duncan for Mayor by the regenerated
democracy as a certainty, and we hope for the
acceptance of Mr.. Duncan in the interests Of
the city and Of the people The intrigues and
bargains of the political schemers who have
been striving to make the Mayoralty struggle
subservient to the advancement of their own
objects in the approaching election will be
entirely destroyed by such q nomination, and
the honest and reputable portion of the re-
formers will cheerfully admit its excellence
and give it their earnest support. The people
of New York, largely democratic in their polit-
ical sentiments, and only turned temporarily
from that party through the outrageous acts Of
its former managers, will hail the candidacy
of Mr.. Duncan as proof that the organiza-
ton Is now purified and reconstructed
and will gladly return to its ranks
Last year, when the democracy was
unworthy of support, our democratic
business men, mechanics and laborers turned
their backs on their old political associations
and supported republicans for Office as re-
formers. Now that they find the democracy
republican politicians are showing their hands
and denouncing such o candidate as William
Butler Duncan, only because he happens to be
the democratic nominee and because he can
not be traded upon or used for partisan pur-
poses. they will unite solidly and enthusiastic
cally in his support. Mr. Duncan's election
by a majority Of fifty or sixty thousand votes
Ia oIcO1uka1u &c ho 10 cn1u will fo
give the city the great benefit of his services
as its Chief Magistrate for the next two years.
This being foregone conclusion, no hope is
left of any successful bargain between Apollo
Hall and the republican committee, or between
any other political associations or individuals
looking to the trading Of municipal candidates
for the benefit of the national and State
tickets. It will be utterly impossible by any
combination, open or secret, to elect any other
than William Butler Duncan Mayor Of New
York. The little side cliques, who drive an
illicit political business under the false sign OF
reform, will be utterly powerless to effect any
diversion in the interest Of Apollo Hall, the
Republican State Committee or any personal
friend Their efforts in this direction will be
laughed at. The nomination OF Mr.. Have
meyer in a back parlor Of an uptown hotel by
q handful of persons but little known and Of
no influence in the city is only burlesque on
q reform movement It means nothing-it
can amount to nothing, and the gentleman
who has been ridiculed by the stupid affair
will, no doubt, have the good sense to repu-
diate it and to refuse the use of his name for
such clumsy and transparent political
manoeuvre. In like manner any attempt to
divide the democratic party and to carry in
the candidate of an outside democratic organ
ization through the aid of republican votes
must now be hopeless. Indeed, there should
be no desire to make the effort Had posi-
tive, recognized Tammany politician been
forced upon the democracy by the new leaders
there would have been some reason and justice
in the opposition Of those outside organiza-
tions which have rebelled against the rule Of
Tammany in the party But in the nomina-
ton of Mr. Duncan political considerations
will be set aside and political differences
healed. The nominee will be one on whom
all democrats and all reformers can unite and
no cause for dissension will exist at least SO far
as the Office Of Mayor is concerned What demo-
.crat in Apollo Hall can refuse to give his vote
to William Butler Duncan? What honest re-
former can for an instant hesitate to hail his
nomination as the grandest triumph ever
achieved in the cause Of honest and efficient
municipal government?
The common sense Of all intelligent citizens
will recognize the truthfulness Of these
remarks, and will convince them of the
certainty Of Tammanys victory under
such candidate. This being the case
there is nothing left for the opposition
Of every shade and grade but grand
coup ffta by which Mr.. Duncan can be made
the candidate Of the whole city, and not Of
any particular party or parties. President
Grant, in his letter congratulating General
Dix upon the result Of the Utica Convention,
made use Of the sensible remark that the coun-
try was fortunate when convention sought
candidate instead of candidate seeking con-
vention. This as the utterance Of the stand
ard bearer of republicanism, should supply
the cue to ex-Collector Murphy, Collector
Arthur, Surveyor Cornell and all the other
leading spirits Of the Custom House, and in
duce them, as the friends Of civil SER
vice reform, to come forward at once
and declare their determination to support
Mr.. Duncan independent Of political con-
siderations. as candidate specially pointed out
in President Grants admirable letter and as
citizen who will do honor to the city as its
Chief Magistrate. The republican committees
and clubs should follow the same policy in
their official capacity, and endorse Mr.. Duncan
as the right man aud the best man for the