New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-12-19
BOSS-OCRACY,

boDD-OOhdOl.
The tendency of all conflicts. whether
civil or military, is to congestion OF
power in one man. This fact is sufficient
in republic to contradict the British
dogma that parties are essential to the
existence of freedom.
Hudson's History of American Journal
ism explains the personal independence
of James Gordon Bennett, so long
regarded as merely nercenary motive.
The spirit of modern Democracy has
been always under the one man govern
ment. As party always malcontent,
either in conquering Offices or defending
the possession of office, it has recog-
nized the superior efficiency of single
commander. President jackson was de-
Tended in acts of disputed authority. on
the ground that he was the representative
of the people, and SO authorized to carry
out his Interpretation Of their wishes,
even as against their legislative representa-
tives. This military principle was en-
bodied in the State policy of the
Democratic party in the Albany re-
gency, the Richmond iunto and the
Kitchen Cabinet was each supreme
within its own jurisdiction. Each had its
boss, and the country was boss governed
wherever Democracy held sway. 1t was
the arrogant dictation of the very small
and forgotten Democratic bosses OF that
period that threw the great editor upon
his native independence and built up the
greatest enterprise which has ever direct.
ed public opinion. The Herald is known
in every quarter of the globe. 1t would
take several "Old Mortalities" to find the
political tombstones of the small Demo-
cratic bosses who would have prevented
its existence.
This principle f.pne man government is
still prevalent. tits great evil in any par
ty. 1t cuts off access to the wishes OF the
people. A party, like king, may be
destroyed, while its minister, the boss, is
giving the most profuse assurances of
popular contentment.
The New York Herald has never lost its
disgust at bossocracy, and long after the
death of its founder it denounces the sys-
TEN. 1t declares that "Tammany must
be destroyed" With searching analysis
it exposes the hypocrisy of party which
has assumed popular name under which
to establish principles of monarchy and
aristocracy.
"Tammany," says the Herald
Is only Democratic embodiment of the
old Know Nothing idea. If Tammany Hall,
instead of being a secret, oath bound dark
lantern, Know Nothing club, were truly
representative OF the Democratic party in
New York. its leaders responsible to the
masses of the party for their good behavior,
William M. Tweed would never have sue
ceeded in sitting that Young Democracy
revolution. New York would have been
saved millions of collars which he stole
from the treasury. The Democratic patty
would not have undergone the defeat which
fell upon it in 1872, when it tried to run
candidate for the Presidency with Tam
many Hall upon his back. The danger
from which ths city escaped at that time is
vivid to all minds, Tammany is the cause
of that danger
In explanation of the causes of Demo-
cratic defeat, the Herald says:
But it seems to us that the Democratic
party has made up it's mind that fammany
Hall in itself, from it's very ma ure, is incon-
sistent with the true principles of Democ-
racy.
1t is affirmed that neither the Boss of
Tammany nor the ticket was objection
able.
The one thought in the minds of the peo
pie of New York when they defeated q
leader whom they did not despise and a
ticket which they respected was that they
would not submit any longer to the domino
of one man power.
This resolution took shape especially
when Mr.. Kelly attempted to carry out his
one man power by striking to the ground
an independent judge who had declined to
obey his will.
1t was natural the Democratic boss
ocracy objected to the introduction of any
principle which should impair the control
of the self-chosen leaders.
The prop ,sition of the Herald. that there
should be q reorganization of the whole
Democratic party in New York, upon the
basis of U lion of all democratic interests
by the adoption of the glorious principle OF
popular sovereignty, does not meet with
approval.
OF course Democratic party, the pro-
fessed disciples of man who advocated
the repeal of all class distinctions, uni
versal sufr ge and emancipation, would
never consent to the adoption of popular
sovereignty. The Democratic party, then,
has been under the operation Of obedience
to one man, placed in antagonism to all
the principles which the great Republican
founder Of Democracy avowed.
In perfect candor we may say the doc
trine of government by bosses in not
confined to the the Democratic party, but
has infected all parties. We can see boss
government in the whisky and Indian
rings, as in the arrangement and partition
of State offices, among individuals who
claim to represent the Republican party.
The Republican President of the United
States has been the first to break this
charmed circle. He has prosecuted with
memorable rigor the men who pretended
to influence and control him. He has con-
victed and sent to prison men who have
abused their trust and sold the Repub-