The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-09
The Tammany Declaration.

The dominant spirit manifested at the
Tammany Hall meeting on Friday night
was the same spirit which fired that
powerful organization during the political
campaign of last year.. 1t was the same old
angry discomfort and ugly passion, which
alarmed all the conservative elements Of
genuine Democracy last autumn.
That bitter spirit animated the long ad-
dress adopted by the Executive Committee
Of the now perverted Tammany, and in
famed the speeches which received the
most enthusiastic applause of the meeting.
But there was also displayed a desire to
get back the revolving Democracy of last
year. 1--WE call upon every loyal citizen
who loves his city Inc stands for the prin-
ciple Of home government" says the ad.
dress, "to unite with US for the determine
ton of those questions In favor OF the Greater
New York and her future prosperity"
aTammany thus extends the olive branch.
Tits ready to welcome again to its fold the
honest Democrats it drove out last year, on
the sole condition that they now help it to
regain power. But they must come back
to an unrepentant, Organized Tammany.
Senator THOMAS F. GRADY, a man of ora
torical genius, and likewise a man who Is
courageous In the expression of his honest
convictions, thus explained the present atti-
tude Of Tammany Hall toward the revolving
Democrats of last autumn:
"a solid Democratic phalanX is In line. 1t will
know no dissensions. but march on 10 victory. II the
Democracy OF this nation is TO have q bulwark for its
future success, II must ind It In the Democratic ad.
ministration TO be elected in this city next November.
Let IL be understood that we are ready to meet every
and any issue. We have no apologies TO make for our
support of Democratic principles In the last cam.
palgn. (Long-continued applause.l But we will not
close our doors on any Democrat whose vote will go
20 make up q Democratic victory next fall"
That candid declaration is honorable
both to Mr.. GRADY and to Tammany Hall.
Such frankness, moreover, Is sagacious even
V a mere matter of policy. If Tammany is
not prepared to recant its doctrines of last
year, but still holds to them, as u%ndoubted-
ly does the great mass of its following, with
passionate fervor, any attempt at disguis-
ing It's real sentiments and purposes, or n
course of duplicity with reference to them
would only provoke interior evaporation
and exterior contempt. In order to win
back the lost 1t would drive out the abid-
Ing faithful for the Tammany campaign
of last year kindled a FIRE of feeling among
Its steadfast adherents which must go ON
burning and cannot be quenched by the
Jugglery of temporizing politicians. Even
II there was insincerity among the leaders,
the followers were earnest and sincere; and
never before In the history of Tammany
was their enthusiasm 30 deeply aroused.
Senator GRADY was right, too, In saying
that the most powerful impulse which
could be given to the Democracy, the Pop
uliEed Democracy of the Chicago platform,
would come from the triumph Of Tammany
Hall In tho Greater New York next Novem-
bsr. Senator JONES. the Chairman of tho
National Committee OF the Chicago Democ-
raoy, sees the same Importance In our COM
Ing municipal election. 1t will be of the
Gravest consequence to the Organized De-
mocrAcy; and hence. like Senator GRADY.
he insistA that TammAny Hall shall take
pc backward step from the position 1t took
d ratifying and supporting the Chicago
IAa