The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-27
The Utica OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES TIL
den,s Prospects.


den's Prospects.
The delay and embarrassment at Utica
caused by the contesting delegations will
have no serious effect on the strength OF
Governor Tilden, who has SO large q ma
jority Of the Convention that he is quite in
dependent of the delegates from this city.
The struggle between the Tammany and
him in any other sense than that division
in the party might weaken it in the cleo
ton. But there is really no danger that either
faction would vote against him if he should
be nominated for the Presidency by the
Democratic National Convention. The split
in this city is not split between the sup
porters and opponents of Governor Tilden.
but between rival clques who aim to con-
troll the municipal government and appro-
pirate its spoils. The same motives which
impel tho Morrissey organization to sue
for recognition by the State Conven-
ton act with equal force on the
Kelly organization in melting it to efforts
for retaining its prestige of regularity.
Both factions supported the State ticket last
fall, and they will support tho national
ticket next fall, whether the candidate be
Governor Tilden or some other citizen
Moreover, neither faction makes any avowed
opposition to the Governor, who has no
particular interest in their quarrel.
Although the Utica Convention has not
yet acted on the main business for which it
! was called, its tone and temper have become
so we'll known as to leave no doubt of its
devotion to Governor Tilden by a majority
SO large as to be overwhelming. The sub
ducd and muttering opposition which no
encounters will help him in other States,
because it is certain to be interpreted as the
growing Of the corrupt rings which have
been put down by his reforming hand. 1t is
great advantage to candidate to have some
easy and creditable way of accounting
for such opposition as he encounters,
and Governor Tilden's unrelenting war on
corrupt rings gives him this advantage If
it should be said in other States, or said at
st. Louis, that the democracy of New York
is not unanimous for Tilden, it will be re-
piled that this fact ought to strengthen him
with honest men, because it proves that he
has shown no mercy to the thieves of his
own party. 1t will be said that the relics of
the Canal Ring and the old Tammany Ring
have abundant reasons for owing him a
spite, and that their impotent enmity
is the best possible evidence that
he has not spared them and that his
blows have been effectual. Their support
would damage him more than their opposi-
ton. His victorious control of this Con-
vention proves that democratic opponents
who dog his heels have had their teeth ex-
tracted, and if they bark when they can no
longer bite their barking is subdued to such
q whine as to render them contemplate.
This is the view which will be presented by
Governor Tildens friends to the democrats
or, at least, plausibility enough, to be
widely accepted.
No attempt will be made to pledge or in
struct the New York delegates to st. Louis
to vote for Governor Tilden but as they
will be required to vote MS unit the fact
that he will have majority of three or four
to one in the delegation will be as service
able to him as specific instructions if he
should be strongly supported by other
States His victory at Utica will give him .
prodigious lift in other parts of the country,
and it is quite possible that he may enter
the National Convention with very nearly
majority of the whole body of delegates. If
he could only get an assured majority
before the Convention meets e.would stand
on very hopeful ground, because, in that
event, his supporters could rescind the alb
surd two-thirds rule and make his nominal
ton certainty. His chances of being the
democratic standard bearer are probably
staked on his ability to secure majority
of the delegates from oil the States in adj
vance of the meeting of the Convention. His
frie2ds would thep be able to abroga,e the
two-thirds rule in the initial proceedings,
and they would have perfectly smooth sail
ing afterward. But with anything short of
majority at the outset tho two-thirds
rule will be maintained, which would
engulf Mr.. Tilden's hopes. for there is
small likelihood that he could rise from less
than o majority at the outset to two-thirds in
any subsequent balloting. The supporters
of all his rivals would stand out against him,
confident of their ability to secure his defeat,
and some Dark Horse or compromise candi.
date would como in at last and win the race.
1t is the duty of Governor Tilden to act
with reference to such contingency. He
must not permit his principles to be defeated
because he cannot realize his personal hopes.
The Utica Convention will adopt platform
of principles embodying the views of the
Governor, and if the course Of events should
compel him to renounce his personal am
btion ne must take care that the cause does
not suffer. 1t seems pretty certain that no
will be strong enough to hold every other
candidate in check, for he will have at least
ofx h. L. A., L..