Although different political parties disagreed on whether the riots were a legitimate protest or a uncontrollable rebellion, Tammany Hall, Democrats, and Republicans understood that the tensions between races as well as social and economic classes was not going away anytime soon. They all agreed that the violence had to come to an end. But, everyone started to come up with conflicting solutions. Governor Horatio Seymour address the rioters as “my friends” and promised to repeal the draft. Mayor Opdyke refused to declare martial law in the city, as it would strip him of the power he had. If the draft continued to be enforced, the Democrat Party's reputation would be damaged. On the other hand, if the draft was not followed, Lincoln's authority would be undermined.