The New York herald., 1875-11-12
MIR. HEWITT AND UNIVERSAL SUI
FRAGE
EXPLANATION OF HIS SPEECH AT TANAfANY
HALL.
NEW YORK. Nov H. 1875

HALL.
NEW YORK, Nov. H. 1875.
To THE EDITOR THE HERALD
observe that the HERALD and the World have some
discussion 10 tho meaning Of certain remarks which
made to the Democratic General Committee its last
meeting. Perhaps my position will be better under
stood if say that in using the words 'sTammany Hal'
and the words democratic organization" inter-
changeablc merely adopted the popular phrase
oiogy but did not intend thereby imply that there
any necessary indissouble connection between the
building known as Tammany Hail. or the society which
IT, and the democratic party. On the contrary,
1t is perfectly competent for tho Democratic General
Committee, Of which have the honor TO be chairman
to change the place OF it's meetings by
simple change in its bylaws and
1t is not in the power OF the Tam
many Society, of which 1 am an old member,
either to constrain the action of the General Com
mittee to supply its place by the organization Of
any other committee representing the democratic
party The connection of the democratic party in this
city with Tammany Hall Is, so far I know, simply
matter of convenience and USAGE and since have
sumed my connection with the Tammany Society il
has not attempted to control influence in any way
the action of the General Committee whatever may
have done in tho past.
In conclusion let me briefly say that have not lost
my faith in universal suffrage, even in the
government OF cities II certainly has It's
drawbacks but know OF no system
which does not develop greater defects.
so far municipal government is concerned, universal
suffrage is simply on trial That the "Ring system"
should have been developed under 1t and have main-
tanned itself FOR time is certainly Argument against
universal suffrage answered however by the fact that
1t found adequate to overthrow the Ring and drive
its members into exile or lodge them In Jail WhatI
intended say and regret that did not succeed in
making my meaning clearer, was thar my faith IN uni
versa suffrage the government OF this city would be
greatly shaken II the wealthy and educated classes,
instead Of cooperating steadily with the democratic
organization so long as IL was honestly STRIVING 70
establish good government should whenever the
occasion might Offer prefer to ally themselves, as II
seemed 10 they did In the late election,
with dsreputablc candidates In order to gain tenn
had only weakened itself by dlscardng In Difference
TO public opinion these very candidates from It's midst
Although do not believe that such combinations will
often be made nevertheless felt justified In sounding
reason to change the opinion that their recurrence
will weaken the power Of disintercsed and patriotic
leaders In the party organizations as necessarily 70
lead q modification OF our theory OF government so
far as large cities concerned. To infer, however,
that regard Tammany Hall or the Tammany Society
as essential TO the continuance OF Tree government IN
this city ~ q great misconcepton OF my meaning
and opinion. | regard their accidental, but long
continued association In the public mind with the dem
ocratic party simply useful agency, when honestly
directed, for securing good municipal government,
and therefore only entitled to the confidence and sup
port OF the public. when Tammany Hall fails 70 be
thus honestly directed shall not hesitate 70 abandon
ana denounce Il, as have heretofore done But Il
seems 70 me very unwsc TO throw aside and condemn
any agency which doing good work merely because
~ Is liable TO abuse bad hands There but few
human institutions not even the most venerable that
would not nave TO be discarded by society under the
application OF this test Respectfully yours,
ABRAM s. HEWITT.