The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-31
Mr.. Kelly in the Character of The
Modest Man.

Mr.. JOHN KELLY has written letter to
The Hodid, modcstly declining to comply
with the request of that esteemed journal
90 nominate candidate for Mayor.
The first reason assigned 10y Mr.. KELLY
for not nominating Mayor is that he IS
can active member of the Democratic
party"
That strikes us as q rather singular rea-
son. Indeed, 1t seems so illogical that it
almost leads us to doubt the authenticity Of
the letter. Does activity in the Democratic
party disqualify man for the performance
NJ one OF the highest duties ~ citizenship,
the nomination Of candidates for Office Is
II the inactive members of the Democratic
party only who are to make Democratic
nominationsy
"The Democratic party" says Mr. KELLY,
"docs not believe in onc-man power
A reader might suppose, when he reached
this passage, that he had got hold of an
editorial article in The Sun, instead of john
KELLy's letter. That is just the doctrine
W. preach. disbelief in one-m man power.
II Mr.. KELLY disbclieycs in it, why does
he exercise It? Why does he labor when
awake and dream when asleep how 10 build
itup?
Does Mr. KELLY ask intelligent people to
believe for II moment that lie is not the per-
sonilcaton Of onc-man power In the city of
New York to-day IL IL not true, and does
lie not labor increasingly to make 1t true,
that he controls every Office In the city
Can man be nominated and elected against
his will--unless 1t be under peculiar COM
binatiOn Of circumstances. as IN the case of
Recorder HACKETr?
For years to come, IL JOHN KELLY retains
his health-which Heaven protect-and his
sway for the pcrpetuaton Of which we
should have to appeal TO different power
not n Congressman, not a Judge can be
elected in this city unless the Congressman
represents JOHN KELLY at Washington. and
the Judge represents JOHN KELLY on the
bench
In theory Mr.. KELLY may oppose the
onc-man power; in practice he exemplfies
II. as much as ever Mr.. TWEED did.
We think Mr.. KELLY more dangerous
man than Mr.. TWEED, because, his moral
character being better, he is likely to swim
longer. Mr.. TWEED was bound to 20 under
soon. His personal vices dragged him
down rapidly. whereas a moral dcspot may
long survive.
KELLY, which in its style is plausible and
clever, fling, which. however intended,
will be taken a. meant for that recent but
very sincere convert to Tammany, HKNRS
CLINTON, Esquire, the distinguished bearer
Of one Of the greatest surnanes to be found
in the history OF New York. THE men"
writes Mr.. KELLY, "who are constantly
drifting from one party 10 another or set
ting up in business on their own ac-
count as citizens 'rcformers,' and indie
pendcnts-thc rifl-ranf Of our politics
The poorest material our Offices can bc
nllcd with"
70 speak of the eminent and most success
ful practitioner in the Surrogate Court as
THE rif-rHn in politics is departure
from that severe classical style which
usually characterizcs the productions Of
the learned Comptroller. Stlll, we cannot
deny that the political course of the distn-
guishcd present ally Of the Mayor has been
somewhat meanderng.
II We could take the text of Mr. KELLY s
letter as frankly expressing his real scnti-
mcnts, 1T would greatly eXalt him in our
estimation; but We know too well that he is
faithful believer in the doctrine that poll
tics 20 by cOntrarics