The New York herald., 1874-09-26
John KeIIy's Position Ina City and
state Politics.


heard in defence. The accusations are forti-
fed with strong body of seeming evidence
but they are urged with such vindictive neat
and garnished with so much insulting vltu-
peration as to justify considerable distrust Oh
the Mayors statements. An investlgalon
which was so evidently prompted py Viruieh'
personal animosity was not likely 10 Dc con-
Quoted with scrupulous fairness The public
will listen with candor to Mr.. Kelly reply,
if he has valid reply to offer. But ne can
not afford 10 make light of the charges or to
retort by mere counter accusations. His i'm
pulsiye temper will lead him to strike hard
blows in return, and the provocation will
perhaps justify him if he at the same time
presents solid refutaron of the detailed
specifications of his accuser. We hope he
will be able to make a successful answer; for,
although we have found something to crih-
else in Mr.. Kelly's course as politician, we
have never doubted his personal honesty.
His faults have seemed to us those OF
an upright, but prejudiced, headstrong,
if not overbearing man. Notwithstanding the
gravity of the Mayors charges and the for
midable array of seeming proofs alleged in
support of them, our opinion of Mr.. Kelly's
character is, as yet, substantially unchanged.
We feel bound to assume, in view of the repu-
tation for integrity he has always borne, that
it is in his power to make convincing de-
fence, and he is entitled to reasonable time
for its preparation. But it is Indispensable
that these charges should be fairly met and
clearly refuted with as little delay as possible.
Unless this is done there will be another ad-
dition to the sad list of ruined regulations and
blighted usefulness. We trust the community
may be spared new blow to its shattered
confidence in the virtue Of leading politicians
We assume, for the present, that MIR. Kelly
will clear himself completely and that his
character will shine forth like gold tried in the
fire But in that case he will be subjected to
new trial of a different nature which will be
a severer test of manly fortitude than un just
accusations. 1t requires a stronger ma
ture to withstand the fattering i'm
portunities of fawning friends than
to bear up against the groundless
abuse of enemies. Some of Mr.. Kelly's
friends and many of his parasites will insist
the Mayoralty if he makes a successful vim
dication. They will tell him that this mark
of continued confidence is the proper mode Of
setting the final seal to his defence and attest
ing the public sense of his innocence. This
is kind of appeal which only strong and
self-poised minds can resist; but as foolish
personal vanity has never appeared to be
&c live bo, ho
will not give in to the hattering zeal Of his
friends. He can be more useful to his party
and can build up a much stronger political
and personal influence by resolutely refusing
Office. When distinguished party leader
accepts high Office his party feels that its debt
to him is discharged In the inevitable rota-
ton by which room is made for rewarding
others for party services in the same way, he
soon sinks again to the obscurity of private
station and is laid upon the shelf. The only
men who exert permanent influence in pol
itics are the few who prefer power
to the ostentation of it. Consider,
for example, how many ephemeral Gov
ernors, Senators, Cabinet officers and foreign
Ministers Thurlow Weed has survived, con-
tinuing to be a power in politics after long
SUGGESTIONS of them have come up and gone
down like bubbles. Dean Richmond exerted
similar influence in his own party, though
on a smaller scale and for O much shorter
period.
We believe it for the public interest that
this higher kind of political ambition should
be cherished by the very few men whose Ca
| :. Al.
guiding our party organizations. Mr.. Kelly
has recently given signal demonstration of
his abilities in this line by securing the nomi-
nation of Mr.. Tilden for the Governorship
and thereby making himself his political su-
perior II Mr.. Tilden should be elected MIR.
Kelly will have more influence over him than
all other public men in the State. If this
bold adventure proves successful Mr.. Kellys
ascendancy in the democratic party of the
State will be uncontested unless he is SO short
sighted or so weak-minded as to take his pay
as he goes along by accepting the nomination
for Mayor. In that case the party will
think its debt to him has been acquitted,
and will compel him to retire from that posi-
ton of unofficial leadership from which he
could not otherwise be dislodged. The
Mayoralty of the city is no more compatible
with the guidance of the party in the State
than is the Office of Governor Mr.. Tilden
was under moral compulson to relinquish his
place in the State Committee in consequence
of accepting his present nomination, aud,
whether he is elected or defeated, he 'steps
down and steps out" of his old honorable
position of dsinterested leadership. The
Governors salary is a mere bagatelle to him;
he will spend thrice its amount in maintain
ing the dignity Of the Office if he succeeds in
getting it. The patronage in his gift will be
next to nothing, so that he cannot have the