New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-02
TIE CONOUERING HERO.

In the midst OF IT all-nRnt, STORM ana uel1-
pest, split sails and splntered boOms, COLI
sions in the dark and in the daylight, partial
submergences and total disappearance, throw
ing over of JOnahs to save ships and hem
cOOps TO save passengers, winds whistllng
through cordage and State Committees
through graveyards, mutinOus crews bowling
and passengers protesting, lifelong friends
hauling each other across decks by the
hair while the turbulent fOrccaste fOrgets its
quarres in the prospect Of successful rising
and the hope of profitable piracy-amidst it
all we catch the shining of one steady beam
of calm compacency and perfect selfcOntent.
1t is the round, expressive face of Mr.. John
Kelly that thus irradiates the stormy scene.
This broad, benevolent smile was kindled at
the touch of live coal from the Democratic
altar at Syracuse. He has been touched with
live Goals from the same source before.
Touched off. And the kick of him killed
several gunners. This time he took the
live coal on the lips of a prophet and did not
go off,
Mstter Kelly THE TRIBUNE congratulates
We.
Not that THE TRIBUNE approves your prin-
ciples, your methods, your policy, your party,
or your gang. But THE TRIBUNE does admire
pluck, and it likes a sturdy fighter. And
you're a fighter, John, as your people say
" from away back You have had long up
hill fight to make with all the odds against
you. And you've won it. You have a right
to be complacent and serene, for your fight is
finished, and you have nothing more at risk.
You have no need to concern yourself about
fba +iclnt. ,Ubo+cvnr b1nnanc vonr ,osition
secure. That smile of yours is broad enough
to light up Erebus. And well it may be.
You've IN in fight in which you had against
you not only the consolidated halls and FAC
tions of the city, but the greatest living leader
of the Democracy, and, practically, the entire
party of the country outside Of your own snug
httle Tammany machine. You made the fight
with Mr.. Tilden in 1875 yourself. 1t was not
for any worthy cause some petty squabble or
other over offices but you made it boldly, I'M
dismayed by Tilden's prestige and power.
You've kept it up like prize fighter. Some
times getting in heavy blows, sometimes
sparring for wind" sometimes going to
grass" but always coming up smiling at the
call of Cline" You have done what no
Democrat before you ever dared attempt. You
1850 you had the assurance to dictate terms
to "a National Convention. Shrewdly ignoring
minor aflronts you accepted the action of the
us an apology and clinched it by
inveigling your opponents into a dramatic re-
Cancellation on National stage. Then you
waved them to the rear AID went to the front
in the conduct OF the campaign. When your
candidate sighted you and Tammany Hall
and went up 10 consult Tilden, you simply
said, " Perhaps you think you can get along
without me- and permitted him to be de-
feated. Then your opponents had n great up
rising, and organized to put you down. Six
months ago there was not Democratic news
paper Ill the country, except your own, that
did not denOunce you as traitor and rene
gadc, while here in New York everybody ont
side of Tammany considered you politically
dead, beyond any possibility of resurrection
the only question being what should be done
with the remains.
In this state of things, John, what did Won
do Why you just left them to think it over.
And when they had begun to appreciate fully
the fact that they needed your votes and
could not get along without you, you quietly
gave out that you would be at Syracuse with
n full delegation. You were there with y0ur
delegates. You made no apology, and your
opponents made no fight; no opposition.
They were only too willing to take you back.
So here you are again stamped regular" by
a State Convention. You're just as good as
you were before you bOlted in 1879. They
have been trying hard to discipline you, but
You have disciplined them. You're ahead and
atop. The candidates are just putting on the
harness; you may boast as one who putteth
it off Everything else is mixed and mud
died; the one thing positive and cure is that
you have won your fight.
WiSther Kelly THE TRIBUNE congratulates
ye.
BY the way, John, have you seen anything
lately of Dir. John Deyelin, WHO presided over