Year: 1877

new ticket faction it is necessary to extend


our view far enough back to take in the po-


litical history of the last three years. Dur


ing this remarkable period the tactics OF


Mr.. Tilden have prevailed and the will OF


one man of marked ability has controlled
the democratic organization. With char
acteristic astuteness Mr. Tilden followed up
his victory over the old Tammany
Ring, to which he owed his nomination
and election as Governor three years
ago, by his memorable assault on
the Canal Ring, which was the chief instru-
ment of his nomination for the Presidency.
Every part of his skilful game was played
with the hand of master, but, after his
election as Governor, with tyrannical in
tolerance of opposition within the demo-
cratic party of New York He rode rough
shod over oil opposing Wills Two years
ago he dictated the democratic State ticket
and last year, when he was the candidate of
the national democratic party for the Presi-
dency, there could be no successful mutiny
against his dictation. But during the whole
three years there has been a suppressed
mutinous element which bided it's time and
awaited on opportunity to throw off his
yoke


During the period while Mr.. Tilden was
Governor he welded an engine of his own
construction for discrediting and crushing
every democrat who dared to lift up voice
against his despotic control. The easy re-
source Of denouncing and besmirching
every recalcitrant as an accomplice or
abettor of the Canal Ring was used without
scruple against his democratic opponents.
This mode Of influence was supplemented
with another, which, in his hands, was
not less efficient He tolerated the election
of no man to State Office whom he could
not treat as dependent. He wanted no demo-
crat who. by long service and steady fidelity,
had established himsclf in the confidence Of
the party and had thereby become strong
enough to have views Of his own. He pre-
ferred as official associates either fresh re-
cruits from the republicans, like Mr.. Bige-
low, or very young men without influence
or standing, like Mr.. Fairchild or Mr.. Van
Buren-men who were democrats by brevet
and who, having been created by his partial
ity, could be destroyed by his frown. He
preferred to have about him in Office men
who had no Independent hold on the party
and nothing to fall back upon if they should
incur his displeasure.


Itneeds but little acquaintance either with
party politics or human nature to under
In political party, as in an army, promo
ton is the expected reward of service,
except when it is conferred by seniority
But service and seniority were alike disre-
garded by Governor Tilden in selecting
men for high posts in the State govern
ment The consequence was that recog-
nized democratic leaders all over the State
felt Us old army officers do when their claims
are ignored and raw recruits or young
lieutenants are promoted over their
heads Democrats Of standing have bitten
their teeth and swallowed their curses
because they knew Mr.. Tilden and his
neophytes and sycophants would at once
denounce them as accomplices of the cor
rupt Canal Ring if they openly rebelled
under the snubs and sights he put upon
them. But it was not in human nature that
they should continue to be submissive after
the collapse of his Presidential hopes.


It would be quite beside the mark to
dens old ticket to Tammany and the Canal
Ring, although these did their part.
Nobody ever expected that Mr.. Clarkson n
Potter, who was elected president Of the
Convention by the new ticket men, ever
had any completely with any kind of Ring,
and only the tongue Of slander would
bring such an accusation against Chief
Justice Church, Amasa j. Parker, George
F. Comstock, De Witt 9. Weed, and many
others Of the veteran democratic leaders
who have openly promoted or secretly
abetted this explosive overthrow of the old
Tilden regime. The old ticket had con-
siderable advantage at the outset by pos
session of the State Committee, but by
blundering management this availed them
nothing, even in the preliminary organiza-
ton. They were outgeneralled and routed
in the appointment OF the first committee,
and had no shadow Of chance afterward.
Mere strategy could not have sufficed
\ IoI tHi5 SuuueA uAu SlBIlal overthrow.
| The strategy Of Mr. Kelly was, in
deed, very skilful, but his chief advan-
tage lay in having the democratic SEN
timent Of the State with him. It is not SO
much victory of Tammany as victory Of
| the accredited democratic leaders over the
new men foisted upon the party by the
absolutism of the late Governor, who ignored
the tried party chiefs and recognized no
claims founded on past services and steady
devotion to democratic principles. If Mr.
Bigelow continues to act with the demo-
cratic party he will have to earn his spurs
before he wears them, and the Juvenile
democrats whom Mr.. Tildcn gathered
around him must starry in Jericho till their
boards grow"