New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-21

and.a number of his most determined men
will meet at Albany to consider how Mr. III
den can be headed off II has been made PLAIN
to Tammany Hall that when the late (and
early) candidate comes out so boldly in oppo-
sition to artificial distinctions III society
and the granting of titles and ex-
elusive privileges" something serious Is
going on, and the anti-Tilden faction has no
time TO lose In days. past the granting OF
titles. privileges and social distinctions mas
been most important source OF the influence
of Tammany Hall. Although the government
administered by that organization has been
ostensibly democratic, an official arlst0cracy
has really held all the power. deputy
sherif1s badge has been considered patent
of nobility and what with inspectors OF
dumps. f0remen of street sweepers, clerks IN
the public departments and big.pipe men, we
have had TO all intents and purposes q COM
plete peerage. Circumstances having oc-
cured lately to disturb the harmonious
relations that once subsisted between Mr. Ill
den and these governing classes, his sudden
declaration of hostility to titles and prlyl-
leges has consequently significance when
the sachems are quick to recognize.
II will be observed, however, that Mr.. III
den makes a pointed reference IN his letter TO
the fact that equality of talents, OF educa-
"tion. or of wealth" is contrary TO natuie'
Those who have been fortunate enough 10
gather "the fruits of superior industry econ
"omy and virtue are entitled to the full en-
ioymcnt Of them: and "the humble mem
"bcrs of society, the farmers me-
"chanics and laborcrs, who have mel
ther the time nor the means of securing
"lil1c favors to themselves" must ask no
more than that tho laws take care not to az
gravate natural distinctions OF rank by the
creation of exclusive privileges what blessed
pcrsonage was in Mr.. Tilden's mind when he
Denned these words 1t surely cannot be
difficult to decide If there is man in the
Democratic party who has been raised in
snecial manner above "the humble members
:. of soc;ctyn by the fruits of superior IN
.sdustry. economy and vrtue,'-if there is a
Democratic statesman whose "talents u are
beyond rivalry, and whose wealth the me-
:" chanics and laborers' have "neither the
lime nor the means" of emulatlnS,-
that illustrious individual will he found
at No. - Gramercy Park, and the
humble members of society, instead OF
striving after an unnatural equality, can DO
nothing better than take him again for their
leader. They will never find anybody else
with so much money, so much talent ana so
much superior virtue.
The confident and somewhat lofty tone
of Mr.. Tidens letter would lead one to
infer that he believes he has his organiza-
,ion all completes and the allrm with
which Tammany replies to the summons to
abandon the aristocracy of titles and give IN
to the aristocracy of wealth and superior
virtue indicates that Mr.. Kelly is of substan-
tally the same opinion. We shall note the
proceedings ut Albany with interest; but the
Tammany men have hard task before
them. The Democracy just dote on superior
virtue 4: and if Mr.. Tilden assures them that
ne has that and superior wealth besides
Tammany may as well surrender.