ich, standing at the head of Tammany and
doing its foul work through the police, fostered crime in the
community for a round return of four millions a year. Mr. Nixon called
these evil folk by name and pointed to them. He could still relate
that roll and never miss an individual. And if he did not put actual
hand on the sly presiding genius, I warrant you he might, were he so
inclined, indite a letter to him and get the address right."

"And the postage would be five cents," interjected Lemon.

"With this knowledge," continued Enfield without heeding Lemon's
interruption, "and with his record as a foe of corruption, Mr. Nixon,
had he been wise as a captain, or true to himself as a man, would have
called about him the cleaner elements. He would have reminded them of
the people's verdict of November and told them plainly that the rogues
must go. He should have been loyal to himself. He should have made the
issue against the corruptionists; he should have waged prompt and
bitter war, and either destroyed them or died like a soldier high up
on the ramparts. Mr. Nixon would have then become a martyr or a hero;
and between the two there after all goes flowing no mighty
difference. A martyr is a hero who failed; a hero is a martyr who
succeeded; both gain the veneration of a people, and die or live
secure of self-respect. Mr. Nixon should have uplifted the standards
of a new crusade against that handful of great robbers who, making
Tammany their stronghold, issued forth to a rapine of the town. Nor,
had he done so, would he have fallen in the battle. As I have already
said, nineteen of every Tammany twenty would have come round him for
that fight. He would have conquered a true leadership and advanced a
public interest while upbuilding his party. Mr. Nixon, however, failed
tamely in the very arms of opportunity. He kept to the same ignoble
counsel that had so wrought disrepute for Mr. Croker. And, afar from
thoughts of assailing those who had dragged Tammany Hall through mire
to achieve their villain ends, he went openly into their districts,
commended them to the voters, hailed them as his friends and urged
their retention in the executive board. Is it marvel, then, that Mr.
Nixon as a 'leader' took no root? or that by the earliest gust of
opposition he was overblown? It could not have come otherwise; he
fairly threw himself beneath the wheels of Fate."

"As to the future of Tammany Hall," said Vacuum, "will Mr. Croker
mak