The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-19


democrats in the National Convention. Some
of these gentlemen are already on their way
to st. Louis and the others arc preparing to
leave. Their expressions of opinion are OF
interest Just now, and will be scanned with
considerable curiosity by politicians OF both
parties. They show not only large pre-
ponderance in favor of Governor Tilden, but
dcrs it certain that the delegation will not
abandon him after "A complimentary vote.
Forty-eight Of the seventy believe him alto
gether the strongest candidate both for car
rying this State and for success in the coun-
try, and will stand by him with unwaver-
ing steadiness. Several who are not SO
confident and determined are nevertheless
willing to accept him. But there is an
active minority of the delegates whose oppo-
sition is vigorous and outspoken, and who
will make strenuous efforts to convince
members of other delegations that Governor
Tilden is weak and an unfit candidate. One
of these goes so far as to declare his opinion
that Tilden would be beaten in New York
by fifty thousand majority. Another avows
his intention, if Tilden is nominated, to
stay quietly at home and take no part in the
canvass. But this mutiny in the camp will
do Governor Tilden little harm. The guns
of the mutineers are loaded with blank car
tridges; the noise made by their discharge
will be attended with no execution. They
can talk against Tilden at ST. Louis, but
cannot vote against him. The unit rule by
which the State Convention has bound them
is powerful and perfect muzzle. Every
vote of the seventy will be steadily recorded
rs for Tilden throughout all the ballotings,
or, at least until his friends think it expedent
to withdraw nina contingency which they
regard as utterly improbable. With this
complete ability to hold the delegation and
cast all its votes for Tilden they have
secure basis for a persistent battle. If they
lose it at last it will be by the operation of the
two-thirds rule, which nobody expects to see
discarded.
The New York opponents of Governor
Tilden can accomplish nothing at St. Louis
unless by infusing doubt and distrust into
the minds Of delegates from other States.
They have considerable facilities for this
kind of work, because some of Governor
Tilden's opponents in the delegation are
among the ablest, astutest and best known
members Of the democratic party. Three OF
these-August Belmont, Augustus Schell
and John Kelly-decline to give their senti-
ments for publication, but they are all the
more formidable by their reserve, the most
demonstrative politicians being seldom the
most efficient Mr.. Belmont was for
long period the chairman of the
Democratic National Committee; Mr. Schell
holds that Office now. Mr.. Kelly is the most
stubborn and self-willed, if not the most
dexterous democratic leader in this city.
All three have wide personal acquaintance
with the democratic politicians of other
States, and great experience in manipulating
and handling party conventions. They will
be reinforced by several delegates of well
known political activity, among them S. S.
Cox, Allen C. Beach and De Witt G. Little
john. The last will be an effective man on
the floor if there should be occasion for
speaking in opposition to any man1uvre
in Tildens interest. He is a quick, keen,
practical parliamentarian, with, perhaps, a
better knowledge of the rules which govern
the proceedings of deliberative bodies than
any other democrat in the State But it will
be q great drawbac to his influence that he
is so recent recruit from the republicans,
that he halls from district where the Canal
Ring is powerful, that his own associations
with its members have been long and init
mate and that he has declared in advance
that he will not take the stump for Tilden if
he is nominated. Mr.. Cox will also be
serviceable ally of Governor Tilden's OPP
ponents on the floor Of the Convention by
his quickncs of perception, readiness in
debate and knowledge of parliamentary
rules. But it looks as if Governor Tilden
will be too strong for his supporters to be
under any necessity of having recourse 10
parliamentary sharp practice, and if so men
like Mr.. Lttlejohn and Mr.. Cox will have
no chance to exercise their peculiar skill.
On the other hand, Mr.. Tilden will have
no lack of able workers in the New York
delegation. We have heard no opinion ex-
pressed as to who will be selected for its
chairman to represent it on the floor, but we
take it for granted it will be Senator Kerr
nan. Mr.. Herman has had large expert
ence in democratic national conventions; he
is one of the oldest and stanchest OF Cover
nor Tilden's friends he is good speaker,
and, above all, his character is SO high
and pure that every word he says will bear
the impress Of sincerity and be listened to
with respect lie will have valuable CO.
adiutor in Mr. Abram s. Hewitt, of this city,
whose uniform good sense and character for
fairness and moderation have won for him
an enviable reputation in Congress- and will
secure great confidence in the Convention
Mr.. Henry G. Murphy and Lieutenant Gov
ernor Dorsheimer will be looked upon as
men Of mark, and Mr. AIanton Marble.