New-York tribune., 1876-10-04

chiefly 70 the details Of distribution IN the ap-
DoTtiOnmcnt of official plunder. Behind these
two on either side are ranged the whole Demo
cratic party Of New-Y0rk. 1t Is very charm
ing spectacle TO see Abram Hewitt, Edward
Cooper, and that class Of men, in the ranks
behind these noble leaders. 1t shows on Their
part great devotion to reform, and much CON
fidence i'm the two eminent citizens who DIVIDE
the h0n0rs of leadership. But these two men
were here to adjust differences. 1t was a sublime
spectacle 1t marks an epoch III municipal poiiu-
cal history. There has been nothing like u since
the abdcation of Mr.. Kely's predecessor the
wise and gifted person who nov, thank Heaven
is on his way back TO us from NlS0. Inc op-
iect of the conference between these TWO
leaders was to take steps toward practcal
agreement upon the only Issue upon when tiey
are at odds, to wit, the division OF the Offices.
Both leaders and both factions of the party
are entirely agreed upon the need OF reform
and upon the general method OF reform, Wlnch
consists, of course, in turning out Republicans
and putting Democrats in; they only differ as
to the details of the division OF spOlis.
II must have been touching scene when
these two chiefs, animated by common pur-
pose and kindlcd with zeal for the common
cause of Reform, came together The Reform
movement has witnessed nothing like it since
well, say since the last time there was any
thing to divide. Last year. Mr.. MoriSsey and
all his following were of the opinion that the
very worst thing that could possibly happen
would be the success of Mr.. John Kelly and
his crowd. Mr. John Kelly and his crowd
were so decided in their belief that Mr..
Morrisscy's influence upon politics was bad
that they put him out of Tammany
and would have none of him or of his fol-
lowers. In consequence of these differences,
Mr. MorrisSey and his wing OF the party allied
themselves with the Republicans and did
actually put Mr. Kelly and Tammany TO rout.
We do not know that either Mr.. Kelly or Mr..
MorIisSry has experienced any change OF heart
since then, or that either has changed his
mind as To the propriety ana tn necessity OF
the others being put down as political power.
And this makes the occasion at the Monument
House the more affecting. To see two such
eminent leaders OF a great party laying aside
all minor differences of that sort in order to
bring in Tildcn and Reform and the
chance for a new and larger "diyide "
is extremely touching. The case Of the
hghwaymcn who ceased quarcling over The
booty of an ordinary traveller when they heard
the approach of a wagon train and began at
once TO harmOnize is 10 parallel for this,
whatever any ribald opponent may say. That
was harmorizing for purposes of robbery this
union between Kelly and MOrri,sey is for the
sake of Reform. This is known to be true, for
1t is openly painted on great many banners.
And we say again that il is a very touching
and beautiful spectacle, and ought TO he per
petuated on historic canvas when two such
leaders come together, laying aside all differ
ences to shake the dice or turn n copper on
the division of offices. 1t makes the heart of
the patriot leap with joy.
Moreover, the coming together in this man
ner of the two wings of a great party 10y their
representative men illustrates the condition Of
the party by the character and position of the
leaders. Nay, more, II Is a comment upon
popular government, free institutions, and pO-
litral progress. Here now is the metropolis
OF the continent one OF the great cities of the
world. II is ruled by political party strong
enough to have its own way unqucstioDcd for
a long series Of years. That party divides
upon a question OF the distribution OF spoils,
the only question upon which il has had for
crs behind whom tho broken factions rally
are-John Kelly and John Morrsscy. Ii is
a good deal of party that when il
breaks in two falls naturally to such
leadership; a great party that has 50
many such to divide itself up among. For
"Tildcn and Reform r. it is that these dIS'in-
guished persons are sitting mp nights adjusting
differences, comforting, conciating, and har
monizng. And who shall doubt their sin
cerityl Look at the list of lcaders-are they
not Rcfomcrs ALI Who doubts IT, would
question the Chrisianizing influence of Med
ford rum, and distrust the dance-house rs n
means of grace. Can they reform our politics
OF course they can. They could teach Sun
day y-schools if the induccment were made suf-
ficient.