New-York tribune., 1879-09-15
THE vr1NJyG OF THE BOLT

TIE MEANING OF THE BOLT
What does the bolt Of Tammany mean
That question must be answered. first of all,
by any who would judge correctly OF Its
effects Yet the real meaning OF this move
ment has been carefully concealed by friends
OF Messrs Tilden and Robinson. and entirely
ignored by almost every one. Tammany sup
poses thar 1t is asserting its own rights, or
rescnting its own wrongs, and so goes on dis
cus-ing the matter in that spirit, ms if 1t
were a mere personal wranele between two
sets of individuals about the distribution of
the patronage. If there were III 1t nothing
larger than that, it is safe to say that the
bolt would destroy John Kelly. whether 1t
destroyed Governor Robinson or not. Others,
again, are anxious to belittle The whole busi-
ness. and so represent that it is nothing but
an impudcnt "kcE" on the part of head
strong leader, who has been Boss" in the
city, and wanted to be " Boss IN The
State as well. That view overooks all the
facts Of the matter, from the earliest dispute
years ago, to the final outbreak last week.
John Kelly has been an instrument rather
than n leader from the beginning, rs respects
his share in the struggle. ard it Is only be-
cause he really represents somebody, half
consciously. and perhaps half-unconsciously.
that his present attitude is of national conse-
ouence Whom does he represent, and what
does the bolt meanl
Events give men q representative character.
What has become of the old guard of Demo
crats whom Seymour, Church. Herman,
Wood, Brooks, or Schel, has at differ
ont times represented IN one capacity or
another7 Prominent men of that class in
every part of the State will be remembered
as having had large local influence i'll Demo
cratic councils; how many of them con-
| tributed to the nomination OF Cover
nor Robinson Hardly single one.
1t was a fact noticed by many that the long
roll of Democrats who voted in Convention
with the majority contained the name OF
scarcely q single man who had been a
recognized leader in the party prior to the
election of Governor Tilden five years ago.
1t is notorious, too, that the policy of Mr. Til
den has been to crowd into obScurity, as far
as possible, all the old-time Democrats of
influence, and to elevate to positions of power
q corps of new men devoted absolutely to his
personal fortunes. 1t was the Tilden crowd"
that filed the ranks of the majority, and the
Democratic leaders whose names were once a
power in the party were almost ignored, or
driven TO make futile appeals for harmony
from the back seats OF the lobby.
John Kelly has come to represent the Anti
Tilden Democrats of New-YOrk, it is prob
ably fair TO say, through no desire of theirs
and no definite intention of his own. Mr..
Tilden, in pursuit of his usual policy,
tried to Kill off or crowd out all the
recognized leaders Of the Democratic party
in this city, and men like Wood,
Brooks, Schel, Cox and others, resisted
with some degree of success only because
they had compact and powerful local or
ganization, under leader who has not
Yielded to Mr.. Tilden's threats or seductions.
1t does not matter what Mr.. Kelly's motive
was. When Mr.. Tilden found that he
could not use the man he tried to
break him down. Aud when other Demo
Gratis found that Kelly would neither be
used nor broken down by the Dictator Of
Gramercy Park they gathered around HIM
with the greater confidence. The recent at
tempt of Tden and Robinson first 10 capture
and then 10 strlngle the Tammany Ofganizl-
ton. and aiterward to prostitute the different
departments of the City Government to the
uses of an unscmpulous faction has not un-
naturally aroused such opposition that the en-
tire ORGANIZATION is as bitter and determined
rs Mr.. Kelly possibly can be, and he
is unqucstionably in the right in
claiming that he simply represents. but does
not control. that organization IN it, present
attitude Ii happens that this Is the only
body of men in the State powerful enough 10
make head against the lilden machinery.
Consequently, it has come to represent the
Anu-Tildcn force throughout The State,
and there are hosts Of Democrats who
do not dare 10 bolt, ~ do not think
the discipline of party should ever be
SO ruicly shocked, who would neycrihe-
less secretly rejoice if the rebellion of
Tammany should destroy the power OF iiden,
and break the Tilden machine. From. such
Democrats the mutiny will get more or less
announcement, according to the local circum-
stances or personal character of each, but it Is
certain ;Lal Al VIII be greatly strengthened ana