Year: 1868

Iwas on last Saturday evening elected by the
democracy Of the ward In which reside@ mel
OF the General Committee OF Tammany Han, on
ticket composed of representative men OF that strong
democratic district with whom can cordially act
and who Will zealously and efficiently cooperate
with me in all matters OF party advancement. My
constituents have also indicated their desire that
should represent them as q delegate from Tammany
Hall in the approaching State Convention to sup
port the nomination of John I. Hoffman for Gov
ernOr.


This action happens under circumstances Of grave
responsibility to me in the decision l may make to
accept reject this preferred concession Less than
year ago, as the opponent Of the nominee OF Tam.
many Hall for the chief county Office In the gift Of
our citizens, l pOlled over forty-three thousand
votes, without patronage. pecuniary mean power
except that which came from the unbiased and un-
purchasable surages Of the people, and against the
most powerful combination Of official influence and
the most lavish expenditure OF money; and am
now, when this action is presented, the chairman Of
your organization My position therefore, involves
more than that OF an individual member OF the demo-
cratic party, and may be permitted to add more
than that which attaches to me your chairman, If
the vote which received as candidate is a test
because the distinctive candidates OF your organi
zation only poled about sixteen thousand votes.


have concluded, on consultation with as many
Ilenu5 aS nave Deen enabled 10 confer with the
brief time allowed me for decision, and as the result
OF my convictions or duty, to accept the trust which
has thus been imposed on me- and to cast my for
tunes hereafter with Tammany Hall, the recognized
regular organization OF the democracy Of the city Of
New York.


1t is proper that should state that this concession
IL attended with circumstances which Will substen-
italy prove that the doors OF Tammany Hall are
hereafter TO be opened wide to the people, and that
the policy OF management against which have con-
Scnueu IN the past Is to be altogether reformed. And
am justified in assuring my friends that shall be
able hereafter to serve them much more effect
cally than it has heretofore been my pro-
vince to do. l have been a resident Of this
city ana active member OF the demo.
Grid party for now nearly forty years. 1t
was Ill lamlnany Han, in my young manhood, that
been there, through my long and busy life, that
have formed my most cherished associations | left
was not assumed for the purpose of fomenting or
maintaining party divisions, or to obtain Official
power or place FOR myself


revolution and when the government of party
country becomes despotism, disregarding the
against 1t. The principle of resistance every form
OF tyranny by which have been actuated through
life has made me party rebel, il rebel can be
called. But have looked forward to the day of re-
generation. That day has dawned


am not disposed to do Injustice to any set of men,
and recognize the duty of acknowledging the
merits, as 1 shall condemn the faults, OF party
leaders. You as well as have witnessed the assem-
bling OF the National Convention OF the democratic
party, in which every state OF the Union repre-
sented, in magnificent temple, reared by the enter:
prise ana iberay OF the present representatives OF
The tine-honored organization OF Tammany Hail.
and you cannot nave failed TO regard with pride, as
did this event. SO worthy OF our great city and our
party.


IL has been given out that the edifce thus reared
and thus baptized Is TO be the welcome headuuar-
ters OF the democracy OF the city and nation and this
act to which have referred extended to me as
representative OF "outsdc' opposition Is the first
substantial Offering OF a changed and liberaliZed
policy, to be followed. as | am assured, by still
stronger and broader concessions.


Now. then shall reject the preferred REFORM
Shall the Hght be continued after the battle is won,
or shall we recognize magnanmous as well as a
Just act of party reform and accept with equal gen
erosity the profered recognitions


II requires some sacrifice of feeling to surrender
position and 10 fall quietly into the ranks OF the
regular force But the duty is too plain and tha
advantages TO my party too apparent to justify me
In refusing TO do my part towards the union and
harmony so essential TO success in the city, State
needed examples and support In This act it may be
found in the recent abdication OF the inventor OF
party divisions and arch-dsorganizer who, for the
sake OF the great issue Of national existence. which
"a trial before the country. has announced
90 long maintained declaring that he would be no
longer connected with mere sectional organizations
but would hereafter seek his place within the pale
Of regularity.


am indHenced in the determination have
reached by other considerations. ] am satisfied
That, by the union OF the entire democratic forces
the success CT seymour and Blair, our national
s.andard.bearers, can he achieved. have been
lifelong friend Of Governor Seymour have known
him intimately and well. He is endowed by the
Almighty with great qualities. He ~ the first states.
man In the land His moral elevation as q citizen
and man IL recognized by all. He is destined
under Divine Providence TO accomplish the salvation
Of his country. cherish for him most ardent de-
make In his beaalf.


With his election constitutional end republican
government viii be restored TO country. and
liberty, equality and fraternity to cur people. II
YadicaiIsm be not overthrown In the coTng Struggle
there s end to country and liberties. The
Southern States to-day I'm thraldou grind
lug than that under which ireland or Poland ever





dsfranchised and dominated over by brutal negroes
rne a pen aqUs a s Ss % 4s
man, who pleads FOR the cause Of oppressed nations
and people, fail to giyeto the democratic party his
most devoted exertfons to overthrow the unhal-
lowed despotsm which the black re publican party
has imposed on the country OF his adoption There
pness OF our people except through democratic sue
cess at the coming election.


John I. Horman are strong, and TO my mind con-
elusive. Two years ago we unitedny and cordially
the State for the ONCE Of Ga7ernor: He made
brilliant canvass, and the vote OF the democratic
party was krsely Increased, and we all recognize
was frauduently deprived OF his right to occupy the
executive chair through corrupt Ieturps. And last
year your organization sustained him as the caBdi
date for Mayor and contributed TO the unexampled
majority which he received on that occasion.


cannot fail 70 remember that While tlmd pot-
Clans were mncing words and dodging the question
Dehlnd generalitaes John T. Holman unbestatingly
IN e s eors 81 sympathy for S cause ,e Of ire
and 70 wres from Der oppresscrs restitution OF her
ancien. rsntss OF se'fgovernment and political So
cial and religious equality to her people. His bold
manly and eloquent letter on this question Is one OF
the most cherished memorials OF the cause that will
never die 80, too, when other public mer hesitated
60 define their positions on the Question Of he rights
adopted citizens lest England might be offended
lhn T. HOFFMAN was one OF the foremost to declare
shat the nrst duty or State was 10 ifs citizens and
shat our government should maintain sgairst the
world Ia arms, II need be- that adopted citizens OF
the United states owed no allegiance to ry govern
ment but our own. II s true that he ls t birth an
American, but every Irishman should homo, him the
for his bold and able vlndcation OF their cause.


Upon the question OF excise and social anal NUM-
Clpa rights John ]. Hoffman has been the foremost
and ablest champion OF the privileges and liberties
Of the people, Who s there In our city who IA kes
an interest In Its position and the character OF Its
representatives who Is not proud Of the dignity and