New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-22
MR.. MORRISSEY As LEADER.

MR.. MORRISSEY As LEADER
II seems to be understood pretty generally
among the city politicians that the Hon. John
Morrissey, 80 far from giving up the fight nc
has been making for the position OF leader
ship in the Democratic party on account OF
the defeat he and his followers suffered at
Syracuse, proposes to transfer the battle 10
this city, and in primaries and conventions ana
at the polls, by all the means known to modern
politics, by bargains combinations, and coan-
tions, wherever they can be made, secure his
own advancement and the defeat of Tammany.
Mr.. Morrissey's movements in the pollt-
ical arena are deemed by the poll
ticians to be of considerable Importance.
He represents political movement. Precisely
what tho movement is, outside of its personal
relations; what it's objects aside from the pro-
motion of somebody's personal fortunes; or
how it in any way affects general politics ex-
cept as the character and influence of the
leaders affect all politics and all parties, 1t
would puzzle any one to say. From the point
of view of the Indifferent spectator it seems to
be a purely personal controversy, Mr.. John
Morrissey and his friends having in fact set
I'D their claims upon public confidence on the
score of personal worth. against those OF Mr..
Kelly and the representatives of Tammany
Hall. In the contest before the Syracuse
Convention Mr. Morrissey avOwed himself
to be there in a representative character. lie
was introduced to the band which serenaded
him on the night before the Convention as
"the foremost Democrat Of New-YOrk." And
he stood to the Convention and the people OF
the State in the attitude of man who not
only feels himself competent to be leader,
but feels no embarrassment IN demanding that
the position be accorded him. MIR. Morrlssey
in the conspicuous place he seeks to occupy
invites criticism. He must not feel aggreved
if he receives it in large measure.
That Mr. Morrissey has received neither edu-
cation nor training to fit him for political
leadership we presume he will himself admit;
that he began his public career as a prize
fighter, and has been all his life lawless
persona man who has deliberately and per-
sistently violated the LAWS matter OF pub
lie notOriety that he is successful gambler
when gambling is against law is not denied,
and that he is largely interested in policy
shops, lottery schemes, and other enterprises
which are in violation of good morals and for
hidden by law, is very generally believed. And
Mr.. Morrissey aspires to leadership in his party.
Not position in which he may lay down the
principles of the party-that he does not care
for-but a position where he may dictate its
nominations, and name the officers who
shall administer the laws-the laws which
it is his daily and nightly voca-
ton to break. That is all. Mr.. Morrissey
is a modest person. Here is population OF
IN, eli oft
great their need of wise and benefcent gov
eminent, of vigllant police, of an upright and
conscientious Judiciary, of a faithful and i'm
partial administration of justice how es-
sential it is that all the parts of this great
municipal machine should work in harmony
with truth, justice, and law, it is not necessary
to point out. Steps forward Mr.. Morrssey
without modcsty and without shame to
these million souls Mr.. John Morrissey,
hardly out of the slums in which
he learned his only lessons in political
science and fresh from the bloody and brutal
arena in which he gained his only laurels, a
prize-fgbter and gambler and an habitual
yiolator of the law, and says, 81 will select
"yOur judges and your prosecuting officers, and
"direct the machinery of your courts. am OPP
opposed to John Kelly and to Tammany, and
"Tm the friend of the workingmen."
Cheering spectacle, isn't it And people are
contemplating it calmly with no idea that
there's anything grotesque and indecent in it,
Think of this mans training for the position
of political leader: think of his qualia
cations: think. of the sources of his
influence, the means whereby he gained his
wealth, and the business he follows! And
then think for single moment that in the
approaching election the officers to be chosen
are mostly of judicial character, the men
who shall administer and execute the laws
and that this man, Mr.. John Morissey, AFRO
eating to himself the position of "the fore
."most Democrat of New-YOrk," proposes to
name the men. Mr.. Morrissey- has traits of
character which distinguish him in some meas
ure from the people of his class and profession
Very well; we give him all the credit for
them that he or his friends can ask but
when he demands the privilege of selecting our
lawmakers and making up our courts it is
not impairment to inquire who he is, where
he came from, and what is his business.
-
TIE FALL or FORT FISHER.
The arrest of the ex-Assistant District-At-