Side Story to Neutrality
All attempts at law, all religion, all ethical norms might be nothing more than attempts by the weak to restrain the strong. Then, within the law, arise the new strong, who subvert the law for their own ends of power and family interest, leaving the old strong outside their circle to pursue the waiting possibilities which they call crime. The weak, the cowardly, the decent ones, live between these groups.
I'm sure that his little bit about Boss Tweed was meant to sound impressive, but...here's the thing. Tweed got taken down. By a CARTOONIST of all people. So if you're going to bring up people who were big time real life mob bosses that liked to frequently reward cronies and had the system in their pockets...don't pick somebody who got brought down so hard by funny pictures. Which, personally, I think was a great example of how good overcame evil without violence: showing the people the truth and getting Boss Tweed thrown in jail.