The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-03

he vees Of the original abotonists, of over fifteen
thousand, from the votes for Van Buren, at that cleo
ion. Notwithstanding the ability and tact of the
soft shell leaeers, it will be found that they are well
matched by the strong men among the hard shells,
and That the influence Of such names as Judge Bron.
son. Charles O'Conor and others, for whom the |
democratic masses have heretofore voted by thous-
ands, viii be powerfully felt in the coming cleo
pnt considering this election, as we r. ,o Gotta :.
. struggle to perpetuate the Van b ren dvnsstv :.
NAV be well to look I.le irso the origin and his.
tory of that potent concern which has for so many
wears exercised controlling influence in this State.
The Van Buren, dynasty may be said to have sprung
into existence about the year 1885, when Martin Van
Buren then member of the State Senate, organized
an opposition to the administration Of Governor De
Witt Clinton and established secret association at
the seat Of the State government which received the
name of The Albany Regency" for the purpose OF
controlling the democratic party. No political junto
or cabal perhaps, has ever exercised more import
ant influence in this country than this same "Abany
Regency"
Those who carefully and infinitely study the politi
cal history Of the different States Of this Union
hardly fail to observe that political parties in each
State have been managed by small political bodies,
called respectively regencies juntos, cabas, cques,
and various other names, controlled by one or more
master spirits, acting in secret and generally in com
bnston with the aristocracy growing out Of wealth,
and other causes of influence. After the American
Revolution there was evidently strong desire in
the minds OF many Of those disposed to ex.
ercise political conurol to found an aris-
.;t hana of fba
or, as sometimes expressed to save the people from
Themselves, but in reality for the purpose OF con.
relling the people by and for the benefit of the
aristocracy, whether composed of military men
lawyers or other members Of learned professions, or
the fortunate p0ssessors of wealth, without whose
potent aid all the other classes political leaders
compaI atively powerless. Thus we see organized,
in the early stages Of our existence republic the
Cincinnati Society, composed Of officers of the Revo
lutionary army and TO be perpetuatea by hereditary
succession. This society was soon attacked, as an
attempt to found an aristocracy, or American nosi
ity, ard never acquired any very important political
influence. Both federalists and democratic republi
cans were found in its ranks. This was followed in
tie State of New York, by the Tammany Society
a State rights, republican or democratic secret
straightforward the Washington and Hamlto
man societies. established by the federalists, the
former comprising the elder portion and the
latter the young men Of the federal party These
two last societies ceased to exist soon alter the peace
with Great Britain, in 1915. They were not found,
we believe to be Of any essential Importance to the
federal party and the arst)cracy Q: that party there
fore generally depended wealth and talent to sus
tain their position as political leaders. We do not
think that the Masonic society has ever been avore
medium Of acquiring power by the aristocracy OF
either party. The influence Of the still existing
Tammany Society has at times been great in the
democratic party, but for many years past it Is be-
lieyed to have been on the decline.
The old Thirteen States, after the adoption Of the
constitution Of the United States in $780, were each
governed by cabals, juntos, or cliques which con-
rolled the action o. political parties they success
siyely came into power. In New York, the control
was exercised in this city, and afterwards at Al
bany, by federal junto controlled by Hamilton, Jay
and Gouverneur Morris, and republican junto
under the management of the Ciintons, the Living
stons and Aaron Burr, who we're successfully pros
trated by quarrels among themselves. The federal
party was overcome in 1900 by the united forces Of
the Clintons, Livingstons and Burr; on quarrelling
with each other, Burr was Frustrated by the joint
efforts OF the Clintops and Livingstors; and after
wards when the Clintons aud Livingstons fell out,
the Lvingstons were overcome by the Cintoas, VINO
brought forward Daniel d. Tompkins to put down
Governor Morgan Lewis, (who was connected with
the Livingston faniiy,) and thus unintcntionally
paved the way FOR the Van Buren, dynasty.
Referring for moment TO the political history Of
the other original States, we may mention that Mas
sachusetts governed, while under federal rule,
by the Essex junto-so called from its leaders being
principally located in Essex county, although oprc-
ating from Boston as headquarters where also the
democratic junto was established. In New HiInp-
shire the federal regency was mainly at Ports
mouth. but subsequently transferred TO Concord
where The democracy looked for is leaders
and from whence, subsequently, Isaa, Hill
issued his edicts The Rhode island iuntos-feder<
and denocratic-were movable, like the political
capitals Of that extensive State. Connecticut had
is Church end state regency, or junto, under the
iodeTal'sts, OF Hartford, where the clergy Of the
Congregational Church held their annual din-
ner, when the Governor AMI members OF the
Legislature were sworn into Office. The demo
crats digniGed the late Doctor Dwight, Of New
Haven, who was generally or the ground at the pc.
tieal installation at Hartford, with the title of
ecclesiastical with political influence. New Jersey
had its federal ciques at Newark and El;zabehtown,
who for long time governed the State; but when Il
was discovered that women had right to vote, IN
der the first State constitution tie sea: OF central
power was transferred TO Treuton where e iersism
and democracy alternately TUNED the scale. Penn
sylvania during the short term il was under
the control Of the federasts, had it, jnnto
at Philadelphia, where also there wss
democratic CLIQUE Which governed the State until
Harrisburg became the seat Of the secret cectrli
poTer. The Governors Of Pennsylvania, under the
old constitution possessed the sole powc, Of appoint
neht to Office, and were always compelled 70 submit
% the control Of committee Of the democratic pnr
y, whether "old school or "nea sch ,o,r and this
committee formed powerful state regency.
Delaware was the last State In the Union Ia which
he federal party sustained themselves Tor sono
wears after the peace OF 1915, Wirninpton xas for