The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-21
Mr.. Cornell,s Canvass.

I
schism We trust they will not take
it unkindly if we caution them that
they are rather too swimmingly hope
ful. They are resting their sanguine'
expectations of success on the d.
vision in the democratic ranks, and
are expanding more zeal in efforts to widen
the breach and swell the Kelly vote than in
vigorous campaigning for their own ticket.
We respectfully suggest that this may
turn out in the end, to be fatal blunder.
We do not dispute at ell that it is Iegltl-
mate politics to promote dissensions In the
opposition camp. But is there not danger
that this strategy may be carried too farf
Does it provide against contingencies
which, though they seem improbable, may
nevertheless happen?
Before proceeding to point out what these
dangerous contingencies are We take leave
to remind Mr. Cornell's supporters-and
particularly Senator Conkling, who has
views which extend beyond the immediate
result of the election-that mere plurality
for Cornell over Robinson would settle
nothing as to the ability of the republican
party to carry New York in the Presiden-
tial contest. II the republican vote should
fall short of the aggregate vote for Robinson
and Kelly the fact would stand out that
the republican party is in q minority in
| the State, and that the democrats had only
| to reunite next year to carry the State for
their Presidential candidate. The only
advantage the republicans would gain
would be simply the election of Mr..
Cornell, with prospect of losing the
State next year if some other can
didate than Mr.. Tilden should be
put at the head of the democratic
ticket What would it avail to elect Mr.
Cornell as minority candidate with
real though divided, democratic majority
against him? 1t is contrary to all reason
able probability that the democratic party
OF New York will be torn asunder by
great intestine struggle next year. If MIR.
Cornell should not be elected by ma
jority, but only by plurality, the chances
will be altogether against republican sue
cess in the State in 1880.
But this is only by the way-en passant,
as the French say. What we are particu-
larly DESTROYS to point out to the republic
cans is the fact that they are overworking
the Kelly canvass and assisting to expand
it to dimensions which may cause it to come
back upon them like boomerang. It was
their interest to give Mr. Kelly just en-
couragement enough to keep him in the
field, but not enough to alarm and de-
moralize the supporters of Governor Robin
son. Is it not possible that they have over
shot the mark? Is it not possible that by
magnifying the extent of the Kelly bolt and
by turning out to swell his meetings in the
interior cities they may spread con-
sternation and despair in the regular demo-
cratic camp and raise general inquiry.
''What shall we do to be saved?"
The Kelly boom, which the republicans
have done so much to strengthen, is already
having marked affect in depressing the
confidence OF Governor Robinson's sup
porters If tho boom continues to grow
during the present week it may lead to con-
sequences which the republicans little ex-
pect. What if the Robinson people should
get so thoroughly scared as to con-
sent to the withdrawal of their candi-
date? What if they should DO plunged
to such depth of despair as to insist on
his withdrawal and the placing of Mr..
Potter at the head Of the ticket? In that
event Mr.. Kelly would, of course, retire.
and all his supporters would rally, with
infinite zeal and enthusiasm, to the Potter
standard. What would then be the con-
dition of the Cornell canvass? The sup
port given to Mr.. Kelly by the republicans
| h.- 10 l.; .1,L1 g.. Al.
own safety. If panic should seize the
Robinson faction the result may be a
sudden democratic stampede and q tardy
concession of all that Mr.. Kelly demanded
in the beginning. union of the demo-
cratic party on Mr.. Clarkson N. Potter,
leaving the State Committee to name
new candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
may he ID the near future. Stranger Kings
than this have often happened in the his
tory of the democratic party. In 1860,
for one example among many, when the
democracy of the State was divided between
Douglas and Breckenridge, sudden truce
was patched up, aud both factions agreed
to support joint electoral ticket, with an
understanding that the electoral votes were
to be cast for Douglas and Breckenridge in
certain ratio. There is no predicting
what party feeling may impel democrats to
do in the face of impending defeat. When
it becomes apparent that Robinson has no
possible chance of an election it will
not be in the least surprising if the
party insists on his Withdrawal and tho
substitution of Mr.. Potter in his place.
/ Such a substitution would reunite the party
with the suddenness of an electric flash
and inspire it with unbounded confidence
of victory, sinking the Cornell party in tho
same depths OF despair from which its adj
versuries would be rescued, and Demon