New-York tribune., 1876-09-29
n TILE NORLEST ROMAN,e

There is after all but one really consplcu-
GUS Democrat in the present political canvass;
but one Democrat who is greeted with ap-
plause wherever he goes and whose name Is
received in whatever Democratic gathering 1t
is mentioned with the most vOciferOus demon
strations of delight And it is not the Hon.
Samuel J. Tilden. Not by any means. Gov.
Tilden's name when called, as it Is at long
intervals in Democratic meetings or conven-
tions, does not rouse the masses to enthusiasm.
If applauded at all it is with kid
gloves and light boots, in the most
respectful and dgnifed manner, by few gen
temen who seem called upon by sense OF
duty to so demonstrate, and who are contem-
plated with lifted noses and serene disdain by
the "boys." Nor is it Mr.. Hendricks. SO far
as we know, his name is not called in Demo-
cratic meetings, and if il were it is quite
doubtful whether it wOuld be recognized.
Nor is it the Hon.-lct's see who is
the Democratic candidate for Governor
of New -York--the Hon. Hora-no, that
isn't his name--Mr. Robinson-RObinsOn-
that's the name. But he isn't by any means
the most conspicuous Democrat in the coun-
try. Only about one in ten of the Democratic
masses know his name or of his being can
didate. None Of these is prominent, con-
spicuous, influential, or popular in the sense
in which these qualities are found in that
great statesman and leader, the Hon. John
Kelly of Tammany Hall. No one of ali tho
great array so looms up before the country,
"larger than human on the frozen hills" The
ineal successor of that distinguished states
man who is even now returning to us from
Vigo in an armed vessel is CO-day the largest
figure in the Democratic canvass MIR. John
Kelly sitting in the same seat, holding the
same position, and welding the same power,
ia to-day rs highly esteemed aud as well
beloved by the same earnest patriots as few
years ago was his predecessor, the Hon.
William NJ. Tweed; occupation, statesman /;
religion, none. Just as few years ago
that great statesman, Mr.. Tweed, was
received with bOundless demonstrations
of affection wherever he appeared among the
large learted and liberty-oying citizens for
whom he did so much, Mr.. John Kelly, his
successor, is received to-day with plaudit and
acclaim. just as the name of the eminent
Tweed, when read in list of delegates to n
Democratic convention few years ago, was
greeted with every sign of favor, the namo of
his successor, Mr.. John Kelly, when called in
convention, elicits unbounded applause. The
same gentle patriots who loved Tweed almost
worship Kelly. And Mr.. Kelly stands to-day
in the proud position occupied but a few years
ago by the Hon. Mr.. Tweed.
Meanwhile Mr.. Tweed is on his way back TO
us from Vigo
About the hour at which our eminent fellow
citizen, for whom everybody has been so long
anxiously inquiring - and especially Sheriff
Conner--was taking ship at Yigo under COM
plimentary but rigorous escort of Spanish
troops, his successor, Mr.. John Kelly, was
steppingproudly out before the Democratic party
of the XXIst Assembly District in this city inthe
character of +" the noblest Roman of them all,n
1t was Judge Sinnott who introduced him. 1t
was the Democracy of the district who, imme-
diately his name was mentioned, rose up and
gave him their loudest and most approving
yell. Mr.. Kelly has by this time become ac-
customed to applause. He was not abashed.
No doubt he stepped forward to the presence