New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-01
WH1r WILL COlLE OF m

The existing situation in the Democratic
party of this State may well puzzle the oldest
politician. 1t is not that there is n very bitter
quarrel in progress. There always is a quar-
rel in the Democratic party; the "boys" en-
Joy a rough-and-tumbe fight and there are
grave politicians who will prove 10y mathe-
matical calculation that the party usually
polls its largest vote after being refreshed III
this manner But in these cases a reconcIlia-
ton always follows the struggle; the com
batants shake hands. and declare that they
have never enjoyed themselves more
in their lives. The nomination Is
made unanimous, the ranks close up.
and the traditional Democratic discipline
is preserved. So binding has this prece-
dent become that Democrats have had,
within recent memory, but one answer when
any dissatisfied faction was asked whether its
members proposed to abide by the decision of
the majority. Indeed, the mere question has
usually been enough to throw any discontinued
minority or grumbling newspaper into a
tremor of protestatiOns that its loyalty to the
party would never waver.
But now there is a distinct and deliberate
announcement of a probable Democratic bolt,
aud it comes from the leader of political
organization, which more than any other in
this country demands slayish obedience from
its own followers. Mr. Kelly declares in his
own name, that Tammany Hall will not sup
port Governor Robinson, if he is renominated,
and relterates this extraordinary ayOwal with
the utmost positiveness and without single
reservation of any sort. This Is declara-
ton of war such as was not heard in the Dem
ocratic party of this State even in the days
of Tweed. What will come OF itl In
the first place it is not likely that the
whole Tammany organization can be IN
duced to join in this secession. Various ut
terances of local politicians have already
shown this. Mr.. Kelly's influence, great as it
is, will not be sufficient to induce all the fol-
lowers of Tammany to commit a crime which,
in Democratic eyes, is only little less-in-
deed, perhaps a little more-than high treason
In the second place, it is almost as clear that
Mr.. Kelly has done a thing which will
strengthen Governor Robinson at least as
much as it Will injuTe him. 1t seems to be
the old story of bull-headed politics over
again. This pTOnunciamentO will arouse all
the supporters of Governor Robinson to a holy
Democratic rage at the men who propose to
abandon the ticket If they cannot have the
privilege of making it. Tammany will be put
upon the defensive at the start. The Iilden
and Robinson following will have a pre-
text for attacking Tammany, which did not
exist before They can denounce its treacheIy,
and resent its insolence. They can call upon
the Democracy of the State to rebuke tins
attempt of single county to dictate the ac-
ton of the Convention. Mr.. Kelly's ulti-
matum gives them an opportunity which they
will not fail to embrace. More than this, it
raises presumption against Tammany in the
minds of many Democrats who may not be,
in reality, at all hostile to 1t. The Tammany
leader proposes an almost Unprecedented yio-
lation of party rules, and the Democracy are
not fond of such revolutions.
When Mr.. Kelly went to st. Louis in 1876
at the front of the Tammany drove, he low
cred his head at Mr.. 1iden, and butted very
hard. Mr.. Tilden was then, as Governor Rob
inson is now, the lone Objectionable candi-
"date." Mr.. Tilden was nominated. If Gov
ernOr Robinson should be renOminatcd, will
Nh. Kelly keep his word Can he keep i'll