The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-07
The Local Democracy and National
Politics.

who keep up the practice of pouring hot
shot into politicians in their own ranks, in
stead Of uniting to fight the common enemy,
do not understand the situation. They fail
to appreciate the extent to which national
politics depend on the action Of their party
in this metropolis. The truth is that New
York city has been the hinge Of democratic
politics since the memorable explosion ofthe
Tammany Ring in the autumn of 1871. Had
it not been for those damaging exposures the
democrats would have scorned to 90 outside
the party for Presidential candidate, as they
did in 1872. 1t was Mr.. Tildens action IN
1871 which opened the way to his present
high position and higher aspirations. 1t was
because the most fatal blow to the Tammany
| Ring was dealt by leading democrat that
the party was able once more to hold up It's
head and enter on fresh career. The demo-
cratic party would have been extinguished
and have disappeared from our politics II
Mr. Tilden, prominent democrat, had not
flung off party shackles in 1871 and put him
self at the head of the local movement for
reform.
His election as Governor last year was
owing to his Jealous action against the Tam
many Ring His vigorous prosecution Of
other public thieves since he has been in
Office is the main support not only OF his
\ personal hopes but of the chances OF the
\ democratic party TO elect the next President.
| 1t is due to him that official reform has be-
come the watchword of the democratic party
4 in this State. To him must be awarded
the credit of redeeming the democracy from
the decentralization into which it fell on the
collapse of the Tammany Ring and making
it the representative of reform. The fact
that Mr.. Tilden fought the Tammany Ring
instead of apologizing for it, and that he has
risen to dictatorial control of the demo-
cratic party of the State by aggressive assaults
on political corruption, is the one thing which
1 has washed and redeemed the democratic
party in general estimation Every sincere
democrat should recognize the great service
rendered by Mr.. Tilden in diyorcing the
party from the old Tammany infamies and
inscribing reform on its banners. His de-
cisive action in 1871 was the turning point
in the fortunes Of the democratic party. If
repudiating it, it would not have been heard
Of again in American politics. The whole
credit of saving the democratic party in that
crisis belongs to Mr.. Tilden.
Such being the relation of Governor Tilden
to the democracy we do not see how any
democrat who values the honor and desires
the success Of his party can put himself in
II l,,.a
allowance for the jealousies Of rival local
factions we still assume that these local fac
tions and their leaders are democrats who
prefer the triumph Of their principles to
paltry success in local contests. If their
views are limited to scramble for local
offices we cannot reason with them. But if
1 they desire the success Of democratic prin-
i ciples we do not see on what
! ground they can breed dissensions and
make trouble in the party. If they
indorse the reform policy of Governor Tilden
they should give him hearty support and
suppress local jealousies and quarrels. If
Governor Tilden is wrong let them join the
republicans if he is right it is their duty to
support him in spite Of personal or local
grievances. 1t would be preposterous for
them to put in jeopardy the national success
of the democratic party by their petty local
quarrels
1t is 70 be hoped that the example Of Mr..
dissatisfied democrats Mr. Morrissey has
grievances but his sense Of fair play forbids
him to stir up mutfny against Governor
Tilden and the democratic State ticket. In
spite Of his foibles he is a loyal democrat,
and his differences with Mr.. Kelly cannot
provoke him to imperil q democratic success
in the State by lending himself to stir
up a mutiny in the city democracy. The
considorate course Of Mr. Morrissey ought
TO be initiated BY Mr. Creainer. If these
two leaders act with discretion the unity of
the party cannot b. seriously impaired, for
the other dissentients are very small fry in
deed When Mr.. Creamer unites with Mr..
Morrissey in withdrawing factious opposi-
ton everything will move smoothly, and
their claims will be superior to those of men
who have sacrificed no personal feeling in
the interest Of the democratic party. If
these gentlemen consent to adjourn their
personal differences with Mr.. Kelly until
after the national contest Of next year they
will deserve well Of their party. Mr.. Nor
risseys good sense, party fidelity and manli-
\ ness impel him in this direction, and Mr.
4 Creamer should see his duty in the Same
light. Whether the friends Of these gentle
men get city Offices is q very small matter,
y but not n small matter whether the reform
democracy, led by Governor Tilden, receives
a strong Endorsement.
In view Of the magnanimity Of Mr. Nor
rissoy Mr.. Kelly ought to be equally con-
siderate It would be mere arrogance and
spite for the Tammany chief to meet Mr..
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