The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-01-27

The increasing tendency of our popula-
tion to congregate in cities, which has re-
ceived new illustration in the recent State
census of New York, besets the politics of
the country with danger which grows COR
stantly more alarming. During the first
half century of the Republic our popula-
tion was chiefly agricultural, with "a great
approach TO equality IN property, inteli-
gence and morals. The scum and dregs
which form so large part of all city popu-
lations were almost unknown. But AT pres
ent the dangerous c'asses in cities often hold
the balance of power, and it has become q
serious question whether we can preserve
our Institutions without, interposing new
checks on the power of demagogues over
the criminal population. The art of politics
in great city like New York, for example,
has degenerated into the creation or main
tenance of organizations for enabling crafty
leaders to consolidate large masses of the
lowest class of voters In a compact phalanx,
to be moved at the beck of one dictator OF
a few oligarchs. The Tammany organiza-
ton is a case in point. 1t was easily con-
trolled by Tweed it is controlled with equal
ease by Mr.. Kelly; both maintain their as
cendancy by the same disreputable means
of favoTing the wishes of the worst part of
the population. We happen to have in our
most important criminal court q judge who
himself sis terror to evil doers,p and has
incurred tie enmity of the whole body OF
rowdies, thieves, burglars and cut-throats.
Mr.. Kelly finds it necessary, as means OF
preserving his power, to appease and satisfy
the criminal class by making war upon
this upright and efficient magistrate. These
classes are formidable In our politics only
by combination under leaders who use them
as toels. II we could break the combiua-
ton we should escape the danger. The
Democracy of the rural districts have long
been sensible that such organizations IS Tam
many are great nuisance, and few years
ago the late Mr.. Cassidy offered resolution
in the State convention with view to shat
ter the influence of Tammany. That reso-
luton, which was adopted, made il q stand
| ing rule that the party should recognize no
such organization, and that all delegates to
the State convention should be chosen in
the cities, as they are in the country, by the
Democrats of the separate Assembly dis
tricts, without anJ outsIde interference.
This rule, though kept in force, has beer
evaded in substance by the Tammany or
| gaDization. but il Il nevertheless . valuable
| Democratic testimony 70 the evil Of politicsl
organizations which destroy the indisidua
Independence Of voters and subvert the frs
puEciples Of Democracy. II is for the
/ honess voters Of the city, without distinc
tion Of party. TO remedy the evil with which
the rural Democracy made q vain attempt
\ 70 cope. There has never been more fa
vorable time than the present for success
ful assault on An organization which hai
been for twenty years the plague Of Demo
cratic State conventions, which carBe neai
running The party under Tweed and has nos
made boIder bid than be- ventured OF
for the support Of criminal classes