The daily gazette., 1880-04-03

was altogether surprise tothose who
did not know TiIdeh. His resources
Were almost marvellous Anoiie were
quicker to seek weak point in the
iines OF the enemy or strong one in
his own position, and none could bet
ter use such discovery. In his cold,
calculating way he brought all men
and all interests together in one line
without people knowing how the work
had been accomplished. In those
years, in fact, he saved the Democratic
party in New York from the demorali-
zation which attended the organiza-
tion in nearly every other State.
DESTROYING THE TAMMANY RING.
1t was at this time tha. Tweed grew
into power, and almost before any one
'uld ,realize 1t the Democratic party
was In The hands Of ring whose whole
object was the plunder of the public
and the, enrichment of favorites. This
was repulsise TO every principle for
which Tilden had c)ntended. He was
regarded with open distrnst by all the
members Of the ring, but retained his
position as head of the, party organiza-
ton, foreseeing, with that sagacity which
has mole than once beon useful to the
party, that the ring must finally go to
pieces but that the party would need
to be saved. And the ring did 90 to
pieces, almost In a day, and there Is no
one so much entitled to be credited with
the work OF its destruction as Tilden.
The newspaper accusations against
Tweed and his conterees, notwithstand-
ing they weie full Of figures show
irg the grossest dishonesty, did not add
SO much TO that knowledge which the
puulIc already had on the subject. The
ling people had always laughed at these
publications. But ilden, with clear
method and legal insight, went at the
work of exposure In q way altogether
effective. Having public opinion TO
sustain him, he procured evidence cover
ing all phases Of the rings robberIes,
and upon this corrupt judges were.
driven from the bench and such of the
ring msmbers as did not fee the country
were br ught under the hand of justice.
1t was work which brought Mr.. Til
den the applause of men Of all parties.
10 complete 1t he accepted nemina-
tion to the Legislature in the fall of
1S7l, was elected without much concern
to party, and secured such amendments
to what was known as the Tweed char
ter as gave the people of New York
some pI election against robbery.
The Democrats suffered some severe
defeats In that year and in the next year,
VIII n Greeley was the Presidential can
didate, but the fact that it was the char
man Of the party's State committee who
had done most to relieve the party of
Tweed aud bis crowd saved the organiza
ton in New York from utter demoraliza-
ton. In 1878 it had altogether re-
covered aud the Democrats resumed
their position as the majority. party.
THE CANVASS FOR GOVERNOR.
When the State campaign of 1874
opened Mr. Tilden was approached with
the proposition that he become the Dem
ocratic candidate for Governor. 1t is
likely at this time, given as he was to tho
slrewdsst calculation of all the possi-
bilities of a situation, that he was be-
ginling 10 contemplate what nigh be
done in the Presidential campaign of 1876
theu only two years In the future. IL
woald be doing him an injustice to
suppose that much that happened within
those two years had not already presented
itself to his mind. He entered the canvas
for the nomination, Which he secured
rhe campaign was such as only Tilden
could conduct. 1t was without clap-trap
it was accompanied by just as little noise
as might be aud satisfy those who can
never get through with campaign
without something Of the kind. Mr..
Tilden's opponent was Governor Dix,
who had been chosen two years before
by more than fifty thousand majority.
Tilden managed his own campaign, Of
Continued ON third paQe.l