The New York herald., 1877-11-04
The City Election.

has been arrayed against Tammany. The
difference to which we refer consists In the
lack in this election of a warm personal IN
terest in some representative candidate
whose name is a popular rallying cry ana
who symbolizes the spirit OF the canvass
It was thus that "Miles O'Reilly" was
name of power against Tammany when that
popular favorite was elected Register; 1t
was thus that two years ago the city
canvass turned on Recorder Hackett
and Tammany got Waterloo defeat
by the enthusiasm of the people to
vindicate and uphold that excellent magis-
trate whom Tammany, in its wanton arro-
gance thought itself strong enough to
crush. But in this election there IS no
representative candidate who gives unity to
the canvass and inspires it with enthusiasm
by his strong hold on popular admiration.
Judge Brady might have been such candi-
date had he been opposed, but having re-
ceived the nomination of both sides his
name has no more significance IN the can
vass than if he had been unanimously re-
elected last year, his continuance on the
bench he adorns being precisely as secure
as if the votes for him had already been
cast and counted. His extraordinary popu-
larity is not an element of the canvass and
there is no candidate on either side running
against competitor who stirs public feel
ing widely on merely personal grounds.
In this canvass there is but one issue
and that is merely political The turning
point of the election is simply the success
or defeat of Tammany. Neither the Tam
many men nor the anti-Tammany men have
any personal enthusiasm for their candi-
dates. Tammany has generally succeeded
when it's opponents were not fortunate in
having some potent popular name to aid
them in infusing spirit into the election.
The want of such name is their weak point
in this canvass.
The prominent representative name in
this election is John Morrissey. We do not
dispute the great favor with which he is
regarded by his own clique, but he is
hardly the type Of man to be the VIC
torious standard bearer on the side whose
main strength consists in the republican
vote Of the city. Withou. the unbroken
support Of the city republicans the coalition
against Tammany has no chance /; but John
Morrissey, who is the soul Of the movement,
is not man whom republicans can support
with any heartiness. In good truth he is
very nauseous pill for them to swallow, in
spite Of all the anti-Tammany sugar with
which he may be coated. Morrissey has
been too roundly and sincerely decried by
all the republican journals of the city for
the last ten years to make it a very promis-
ing experiment for these same journals,
which have SO persistently denounced and
execrated him, to make sudden somer-
sault and support him as leading represent
ative Of reform. Their readers are more likely
to be disguised than persuaded, when these
journals offer to drink and invite others TO
drink as a health-giving beverage what they
have so often spewed out as dirty water.
They have, no doubt, been unjust to Mr..
Morrissey in their persistent aspersions of
former years, but they have made too deep
and abiding an impression to exert any in
huence now as champions of man who
has SO long been the butt of their scoffi ng
derision and loathing denunciations. 1t
will strike everybody that coalition against
Tammany in which Morrissey is the central
figure stands on different footing from
the coalition of two years ago, when Re-
corder Hackett was the central figure, and
from the previous coalition, when Charles
G. Halpine was the central figure.
No republican felt any quams in
voting for Recorder Racket; he is an up
right magistrate who does not meddle in
party politics and who has rendered life and
property in this city more secure by the
righteous sentences which have made him
"a terror to evil doers." No republican
felt any qualms in voting for "Mies
O'Reilly," democrat though he was; for his
patriotic zeal during the war and his popu-
lar songs and satires in support ofthe Union
cause made him even q greater favorite
with the republicans than he was in his own
party. But what possible hold has Nor
rissey on the sympathies or the admiration
Of republicans? What appeal can q man of
his history and pursuits make to the gener-
Gus sentiments ofpolitical opponents The
republicans ofthis city will be in no hurry to
march behind the banner of John Nor.
rissey; they cannot feel pride and
recognize the virtues and the genial quail
tiles of democrat in his case as they did
with such becoming zeal and warmth in the
cases Of Recorder Hackett and General
Halpine.
Other popular names on the anti Tam
many side in this election there are none.
Andrew H. Green is, indeed, rs well known
as Morrissey, and he is quite MS bitter and
determined an opponent Of Tammany. But
he is popularity regarded as an uncomforta-
BILE and obstructive man, and whatever may
be thought of his former merits rs public
officer his brusque manners have prevented
his gaining any hold on the masses. He
has nayer before run for nm elective Office