The New York herald., 1845-02-06
NEW YORK. THURSDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY g. 1s45
sketch OF the Famous Empire Club, OF
the City OF New York.
BY A LOVER OF THE sroILs or OFFICE

/
The history of the origin, character movements,
and dolngs OF this renowned and redoubtable Club,
which exerted so important an influence IN the
election of democratic President of the United
States, and which still continues to WELD potent
spell upon the question OF annexation and other
great national measures, and which bids ialr 10
work a revolution in the character OF New York
democracy, and totally blight the power that has
SO long maintained the regency IN that party-we
say brief history of this Club cannot but prove
interesting aud instructive IL Will certainly give
the public an insight into the character and move
ments Of class of men, technically called 1.-THE
bows" who, at all times, WELD balance oil power
sufficient to control the election In the city OF
New York, and, therefore, likely enough to con.
troll the election in the State of New York, and
perhaps of an election throughout the Union
The New York Empire Club had It's origin In
the following manner 1t will be remembered that
some time prior TO the late fourth OF July, Mayor
Harper issued proclamation prohibiting booths. hre
crackers and other means and measures de Jo'e,
to the great disappointment and bitter evaporation
of all those who have from time immemorial been
accustomed tn celebrate that great national fesi-
val with the aforesaid means and measures de Jole
They regarded II as serious infringement OF their
democratic and patriotic rights. representative
nucleus OF the class alluded to, who were then IN
the habit of exchanging civitles, and taking So
cia glass at No. 81 Barclay street, whose walls
were once consecrated TO the arts and sciences,
but now devoted to billiards, tenpns, and other
healthfu urecreations-we say these representatives
did then and there discuss the grievances and in
frlngements aforesaid, until the result was the for
nation, on the Sd OF July eve, OF an extempora
neous "Guard," which took the name OF the 'Em
pire Guard" The object of the "Guard" was OF
an entirely ephemeial character-belng SIM
ply TO express their indignation at the afore
said infringement Of popular rights by May
or Harper and the "Natves."
On the eve of July Sd, 1914, the guard, to the
number of 30, formed at 81 Barclay street, and
drum, up Broadway as far as Reed street, where
they were met by similar party coming down
town, by which theirnumbers were soon increased
to about 100. Captain Rynders commanded the
5 Austin, at present Of the Novelty Saloon, corner
of Chambers street and Broadway, and well
known parsonage among the Boys" about town.
of July eve in a highly patriotic and philosophical
style, by marching around town, and testing the
qualities OF liquors at various Restaurdteurs-untll3
O'clock on the morning Of the Fourth, when they
found themselves in circle around the tin dippe1
fountain in the Palk. AT ths time, Capt. Rynders
feeling slightly lndisposed from over patriotic exer-
ton, made farewell speech to the Guard, and re-
signed the command to Johnny Austin.
Il is not generally known that it has long been
the custom of "the old Serenty STEERS" to march
down in body 10 the Battery st daylight on tht
morning of the 4ih OF July, and fire salute. This
custom was known to the Guard, who marched
down to the Battery and "received" the old 76srs
on their arrival there. The guard then marched
through various streets about town to the door OF
Alderman Emmans, of the Sixth Ward, when they
gave him three cheers, and then adjourned to meet
the next evening (of the 4th) at No. ST Barclay
street.
According to adjournment. the Empire Guard
met 4th of July eve, at 81 Barclay street, form
ed in procession, and took up their line of march
about the city, led, before, by Captain Rynders,
with Johnny Austin at the rear, to prevent deser
ton and disorde1y behavior. rumor was cir
culaied that they intended to attack Mayor Har
per's house, in Rose street. 1t was true, bui
it brought in their wake about one hundred watch.
men, who were ready tor an emergency. The
Guard did march in front Of the Mayors house.
where they gave sundTy patriotic groans, and Cap
tain Rynders made them the following speech -
"Emore Guards! l am sorry that it has become
our duly to stop here under the present circum
stances. Therefore II has been customary such
IN occasion to greet our chief magistrate with
cheers. But times have changed, popular rights
nave been invaded, and instead OF cheers we are
compelled to give groans-not for the man, but for
ais principles aud measures. -ahgh--eIgh--
righ-boosh-uugh -"
From Mayor Harper's, the Guard continued the,
march through the Park down Barclay street 10
the steamboat South America, where they paftoot
OF refreshments with Captain Truesdall. Thence
they marched about town, until they brought up in
the Park, where Captain Rynders left them as be
fore, and Johnny Austin took command. After
some further marching and counter marching, the
Guard adjourned on the 5fh about three O'clock
A. NJ, in front of Kelys Comet, TO NEE
again at the call, by advertisement. OF John 5
Austin On the W hole Of this march, no man was
allowed TO leave the ranks, and no mischief was
done, nor outrage committed, unless II might have
been upon sundry champagne bottles whose necks
were summary lynched.
At This time The 4" Empire Guard was composed
Of both wings and democrats. and even some :" ma
tves" and may be said to have had no political
character, nor Interior object, beyond the ephemera
one above named, OF expressing Indignation At the
prohibitions aud iuirlngements oi Mayor Herpei
and the " natives" Nor is it believed that more
than one of their whole number had at that time
any thought of any future organization, or exls.
tence as political club.
a.. ri, oa1 nhar-
" Guard" in addition to Rynders, and Austin,
were Country McCleester, (McClusky,) Bill Ford,
Nanny Kelly, (of the Comet,l John Ling. Mike
PhilIpS% Bill MHer Tom lhye,ssI lHhyeT BIZ ~ Sparks
Tom Mcclure, Tom Freeman, Dave Scandin
and others Of the "boys," all well known, and dis
ungulshed about town, of some OF whom we shall
have more to say before we get through with the
Empire Club.
From and after the adjournment of the Guard,
on the morning of the 9th Of July, John S; Austin
became their master-sPrIt. until the subsequent
organization of the Empire Club And here il il
necessary to go back to the Baltimore Wing Con-
vention, and events there, which may be said to
have given rise 10 the Empire Club. AT this Con.
vention were present Moses II. Grinnell, Edwarr
Minturn, and other leading wings. and also
Arch. Reynolds, Chris Siokes, Johnny Austin,
Capt Rynders, and others of the boys" Suc
men as the
political fields are fought and won ; and ii wa
well understood among the knowing ones -
the Baltimore Convention that movement was tc
be Immediately made to secure the services of til,
"Boys" as operators IN the wing unlonst Club toi
the purpose OF carrying the ensuing Presidentia
election IN New York And il equally well
understood that ,chig money ,could not be canttne
TO secure for the Unionlsts all The fighting mei
about town, and thus ensure success to that part,
in New York. 1t is known that Johnny Austf
was there offered the sum OF $4,000 10 bring,
with himself, the following FIVE inen into tht
Unlopist Club, TO wit Countg, McCleester: Manny
Kely, Bill Ford, Dape Scandiin, and Nike Phil
kps--to operate in the ensuing election Austns
reply to this proposition OF the whIgs Is said 10
have been much better grammar than good taste I;
we canno, publish it, but we can say the proposi
ton was indignantly and contemptuously spurned
Although failing in this all important point, still
the wings determined to make every effort to Sc
they hoped aud believed, to carry the election oi
Henry Clay. Mr. offered handsome sum,
of money 10 Country McClusky, Nanny Kelly, anc
others, If they would join the Unlonst Club, bur
MT arahht fhn h 10.