The New York herald., 1879-09-25
THE SITUATION.
The Democratic Split
Irreparable.
Improbability of the Withdrawal Of
Either Candidate.
TAMMANY'S LOCAL STRENGTH.
New York City's Majority Neces-
sary to Robinson's Success.
CONTEST FOR INSPECTORS OF ELECTION

Albany Sept. 90, 1879.
Since the adjournment of the Syracuse Convention
two questions have engrossed the attention or those
who take interest in the present political situa-
ton. Win the two democratic candidates remain in
the feid until election? If they do will Mr. kelys
candidacy defeat Governor Robinson!
WILL THEY STICK?
Few who are familiar with democratic politics be-
lieve that either both candidates on the demo-
cratic side will withdraw The quarrel does not
grow out of sentiment or sudden passion 1t is
strueele to the death between two rival factions.
or other of which must be exterminated. Governor
Robinsons election now means Mr.. Tndens NOM
inaion and probable election to the Presidency next
year; for should the Governor carry the State in
spite of the Tammany bolt this the prestige as
well as the power of the State patronage would
make Mr.. Tilden invincible both in the Democratic
National Convention and IN the State in 1880. Gov
ernor Robinsons defeat now means the wiping out
of Mr. Tilden as a Presidential candidate inasmuch
rs it would demonstrate the fact that the Tllden
democrats are poweress to carry the State
of New York without the aid Of the Tam
many or anti-Tilden democracy. which they
will never receive, and the success Of
democratic candidate in the next Presidential elec
tion almost certainly depends his ability to carry
this State Mr. Tilden's nomination would be out of
the question. Hence it is not even probable that
Mr.. Kelly will withdraw from the canvass while
Governor Robinson remains in the field. His back
ing down now would do him infinite harm and no
good 1t would not bring him into favor with the Til
den party shield him from the responsibility he
has already incurred should Governor Robinson
be defeated after all. while it would stamp
him with irresolution and destroy his
last chance of electing his Tammany county
ana legislative tickets 1t is almost
ir,p hahl hat R0bi will
because the obstnacy which rejected every overture
for compromise at Syracuse when one might have
been honorably made Will doubtless keep him in the
field.
A QUESTION ExPEDIENCY
There seems to be only chance for Robinson's
retirement and that is slight. Since the adjourn
ment Of the Syracuse Convention prominent
Tilden democrat of Chenango has expressed the
opinion that Mr.. Tilden, looking the field,
may possibly regard Robinson's withdrawal
pedient.
'H Robinson should step aside and allow the
name of Judge Pratt any other name to be SUBJ
stituted for his own" said this gentleman, ''Mr.
Tilden could claim the credit of being peace.
maker; If victory the honor
would be his and it would still re-
main open question whether Robinson
could not have carried the State. II, on the
other hand the new nominee should be defeated it
could justly be claimed that the result due to
Tammany treason, and Mr.. Tilden's friends would
Insist that if Robinson had remained in the field the
result would have been different Knowing Mr..
rildcn's caution have thought the withdrawal Of
Robinson might possibly appear expedient in his
,yes from such point of view as have taken. OF
sourse hope for Robinson's success and under
stand the immense value of victory with him.
Still the consequences Of his defeat must be dis
astrous that cannot understand how so cautious q
general Tlden have made up his mind to risk
everything on a single battle. and doubtful at
that"
'.But would it not have been better and more con-
sistent for Mr.. Tlden who doubt held control of
The Syracuse Convention. to have made a COM
promise there. instead of changing front at this
timer? was the question put to Mr.. Tilden's Che
mango supporter.
'.Well, no." was the reply. "To have yielded at
The Convention would have given Tammany dan
gerous triumph; for however the yielding had been
done IL would have been claimed and would have
appeared like John Kellys victory and Tildens de-
feat. Tammany would not then have been placed
in open revolt and henceforth outside the
democratic party The Tammany fight in the
State Convention would have been postponed until
the Presidential year instead of being settled now.
But Tilden has won his victory over Tammany and
secured his delegation to the democratic National
Convention next year. This having been accom-
plished, he might consistently yield to the
pleadings OF the national democracy, urging him to
make this concession to what they consider the in
teress of the democratic party of the United States.
II the concession should after all prove futile Mr..
Tiden could not be held responsible and he would
enjoy the credit of having respected the wishes of
democrats of other States.
AS Mr.. Tilden is not young and impulsive poll
tician. and he had ample time and opportunity
survey the whole field before the Syracuse Conven-
ton there is no reason to doubt that he placed Gov
Rohi n of ic ct w
his eyes open in conformity with settled prin-
ciple and plan of action. and that he approves the
letter of acceptance which has made Robinson's
withdrawal impossible.
WILL ROBINSON?
1t being toleraby certain that the men who have
deliberately engaged in fight such that
raging in the democratic ranks will not throw
down their arms until the issue has been
Is, will Mr.. Kelly, by remaining in the field u
candidate for Governor. insure the defeat Of
Governor Robinson. To arrive at an intelligent
opinion this point il is necessary to review
the vote Of the city and State for some years
past IN order to show influence OF the city vote
on the general result. The election Of 1872
ceptionai. General Grant. covered with glory
tor President and the issues OF the war had
been forsotten Francis Herman, the demo-
cratic candidate for Governor, was Roman
Catholic. Greeley, the democratic candidate
ponent and denouncer OF the democracy by whom
lie was nominated. ON a plea of cxpediency which
failed to meet the approval of large portion OF the
party. Mr. Herman, the democratic candidate for
Governor received u G25 majority General
DIX, the republican candidate, III the city o. New
York. white General Dix in the state. excluding the
vote OF the city. obtained 75 076 majority Kerr
nan. The republican vote of the State thus swept
away more than three times the democratic
majority in the city
As has been said, this exceptional election;
but the Importance of the democratic majority in
the metropolis to that party is shown in the follow
ing results in subsequent years.
1873 Tote for Secretary Of State.
willers tdem.l In city ......... GO 702
Thayer (rep) in 35,IlO
Democratic majority in city................ 1892
Thayer trep in state without city....... 2g5, AIS
Niliers ldcn.), in state, without clty.... Hl,1D0
Republican majority in State, exclusive of
city y........................ 24.119
1ST4.-vote for Gorernor
Tildcn dem.), in city s7.43G
DIX lrepl in city 44y0s
Democratic majority in city............... AZ, ,528
Til,en tdem.l, in state without city... 32s g55
Dix lrop State without city. .......... 32l 1866