New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-13
Tdvv1YY ON THE VARPATH.

T4MMANY on TIE WARPATH.
The formal declaration of Tammany puts
an end to all doubt as TO the intention Of
that organization. Knowing the peculiar
power which regular nominations have over
Democratic votes knowing what a terrible
club the threat to bolt n nomination would put
into the hands Of its enemies; knowing, In
short, that the complete extinction of Tam
many as a political power must follow
failure to adhere TO such declaration or to
make it effective, the Tammany organization
has formally declared that it will not support
Governor Robinson under any circumstances.
1t must be said, too, that the reasons
given are very strong. In effect, Tammany
sees that the power Of the Governor and of
the Mayor is used to destroy that association,
and accepts the issue. 1t recognizes the fact
that the election of Governor Robinson would
inevitably result in the humiliation of Tam
many as a political force, and proposes to be
annihilatcd, if at all, rather in open OppOsi-
ton than in tame submission to his nomina-
ton. Ono quarter is the rule upon which
its enemies act therefore "NO quarter" is
the motto which Tammany avOws. As self
preservation is the first law of nature, the
declaration was to have been expected.
On the surface, Governor Robinson only is
attacked. In reality, the blow is aimed even
more at Mr.. Tilden. If he cannot elect his
friends in his own State, and punish his fOeG,
and carry out his plans, there is no possible
future for a politician whose only hold upon
his party is gained by success in manipula-
ting its organization. Not q man in the
Tammany Society fails to see the hand of
Mr.. TildeD in every blow that is struck by
the Governor or the Mayor. Toward him
there is felt even more intense hatred than
toward his tools. IF a strong threat can
prevent the nomination of Governor Robinson,
il may be considered certain that the same
weapon will be used, if necessary, TO strike
down Mr. Tilden himself. The question there
fore resolves itself into this: Can MIR. Iilden
live through a fight to the death with Tam
many 2 1t is a fight which will win him sup
port in some quarters. as he well knows. One
of the shrewdest politicians in the coun-
try, he probably has not brought such
fight upon himself without counting
the cost. But Mr.. Kelly is shrewd
man also, and has not taken his position
lightly. Politically, he is stronger in this
city than ever before. There is no Morrissey
living, to lead the opposing forces. Mr..
Cooper has failed to use the power intrusted
to him to carry out the promises made in his
name to the citizens of New YOrk. The pros
titution of his office, and of that of the Gov
ernor, to the worst uses of faction. with the
scarcely concealed purpose of getting the
control of the election machinery into
the hands of Mr. Tllden, the man who
was chairman of the Democratic State
Committee when the most infamous frauds
in the history of the State were perpe-
tIated, has gone far to disgust and repel de-
cent citizens of all parties. Mr.. Kelly,
whatever be his faults, has gained the name
of an honest financial officer, and has given
to this city fair elections. Mr.. Tilden is the
man who came near getting the Presidency
by means of cipher dispatches and bribed
electors.
IL is the habit TO say, and it is said with
reason, that the Democrats do not quarrel
after nominations are made Yet the struggle
for power has disrupted the Democratic party
more than once, and this is a struggle, not
for power, but for political existence. The
Republican party elected President in 1860
because the South insisted upon debating the
policy and the candidate of the party. Mr.
Tilden dictates III the same way, and 1t was
not as clear that Slavery and the power Of
the South would be destroyed under Mr.
Douglas as it is that Mr.. Tilden and his in
fuence will be destroyed if Mr.. Kelly has
power to do it. Northern men resisted in
1860 because they knew that they would be
completely wiped out at the North if
they yielded to Southern demands, and
Tammany Hall knows equally well that
it will be utterly extinguished if Mr.. Tilden
can elect Governor, or get himself elected
President 1t must be confessed we cannot
see how the struggle can end, save in the ex-
tinction of Mr.. Tilden as a candidate and die
tator, or of Mr.. Kelly as a leader, and of
Tammany Hall as political force. Nearly all
quarrels can be patched UP. but this does not
seem to be one of that sort.
Probably The Express, Mr.. Kelly's organ, was
In the right when 1t declared that Mr.. Tiden
could never be elected President. 1t does not
follow that he will not nominate himself.
A rich and childless man, who draws near
his end, may perhaps fnd-no greater salts