The New York herald., 1874-09-11
The Democratic Opposition TO Mr..
Tflden.


it will lead to important consequences 1t is
the first of q series of notifications of which
we have forewarned our eminent and respected
fellow townsman, and which will accumulate
upon him if he persists in his candidature
This unexpected demonstration by his demo-
cratic opponents has already accomplished
several things which will help their main
object They have sent q sudden thrill OF
electric surprise and hope through the rural
democratic masses by disclosing the possibility
that Judge Church, their favorite candidate,
will consent to run. They have developed the
fact that there is an active, strenuous and
formidable opposition to Mr.. Tilden in the
democratic ranks. They have shown that, in
spite of Mr. Tlden's complacent assurance Of
success, his nomination is debatable and
debated question, and that every inch of
ground will be contested against him until he
withdraws. Moreover, they have uncovered
his position" as the peculiar candidate Of
Tammany Hall and forced him to fall back
openly upon his 'base of operations"
The leading democratic organ, wishing to
enlighten its readers on the new situation,
knew precisely where to apply for authentic
information on the Tilden side. 1t sent re-
porter straight to headquarters and printed
yesterday, with head lines Of unwonted size,
a long interview with John Kelly, the con-
trolling Tammany chief. 1t appears from this
interview that Mr.. Tilden knows his hackers;
that Immediately on his return from Albany
he consulted Mr.. Kelly; that he had been SO
far shaken by the Albany visit that he asked
Mr.. Kelly's advice as to whether he should
retire, and that the Grand Sachem of Tam
many would not permit it. Mr.. Tilden's
democratic opponents will be glad to see all
dropped by this public acknowledg-
meut of his allegiance to the Tam
many chief, and this practical submission to
his guidance in deciding whether he shall
persist or withdraw. Had Mr.. Tilden been
less disturbed and upset by the encounter at
Albany his customary wariness would have
taken him to Utica for consultation instead
of fastening Immediately back to New York
in the earliest morning train, after an exciting
conference which extended far into the small
hours of the night. For appearance sake and
as point of strategy he should have tried to
make it appear that he had friends and
strength in the rural districts. It has been
asserted in his behalf that Governor Seymour
and Mr.. Herman favor his nomination.
Had he gone to Utica and come away
supported by their advice, returning leisurely
to New York as if he felt no alarm to hasten
his movements, his professions Of confidence
would be taken with less abatement, and he
might have partially concealed the fact that
Tammany is the sole prop of his hopes. By
returning in anxious haste to the city and
submitting to John Kelly the question
whether he should withdraw, Mr.. Tilden has
given his opponents an advantage which they
know how to use. This false move in the
openly with Tammany, shows that he was
furried and disconnected, and lost his head
on the field of battle. The very fulcrum on
which his democratic opponents rest their
lever is the assertion that he is the Tammany
candidate, and he does them the favor
of making denial impossible
No man in sore straits ever had greater
reason to cry, ''Save me from my friends!'
The indiscreet interview which Mr.. Kelly has
permitted to be published will damage Mr..
Tilden more than anything else. The accusa-
tions which his champion hurls at the demo-
cratic leaders who are seeking the nomina-
ton of Judge Church will provoke Mr..
Tilden's adversaries to strain every
nerve to secure his defeat. Mr.. Kelly's
wholesale charges of corrupt motives against
the democratic leaders and journals of the
interior of the State will constrain them,
in defence of their own character, to resist and
overthrow the Tammany candidate. He
asserts that they are members of a scandalous
''canal ring; )" that they object to Tlden and
want Church for Governor because Tiden
would oppose and Church favor the corrupt
contracts which they wish to obtain! This
atrocous Tammany libel on Judge Church
will rouse the indignation of every honest
democrat in the State. 1t will cause
the Tammany supporters of Mr.. Tilden to
be looked upon, not as honorable politicians,
but as the desperadoes of a sinking candi-
date. Such a wanton calumny on Judge
Church and his supporters is absurd on the
face of it. The Governor has no more to do
with awarding canal contracts than the Judges
of the Court of Appeals. Contracts are given
by the Canal Board, of which the Governor is
not member, but the Lieutenant Governor
is 1t would be for the interest of canal
ring to concede the Governorship to any
strong candidate and get the consent of his
friends to their selecting the second name on
the ticket If the rural democrats would sup
port Tilden Tammany would be too glad to
let them have the Lieutenant Governor. Mr.
Kelly's coarse imputation of corrupt motives
in which he does not spare the most honored
democrat in the State, will incense thousands
nf dnrnocrats and cnnvert rnanr luknua rra