The New York herald., 1875-11-24
..Know-Nothing" Tammany.

The main objection to the Tammany Hall
organization, as it now stands, is that it is
controlled by a secret, irresponsible lodge,
which meets in secret room and has no
responsibility to any form of public opinion.
This lodge, or Columbian Order, is an
ancient society going back to the early days
Of the Republic, 1t began. we believe, as an
association partly benevolent, and it has
been continued to the present day. Its con-
troll over the Tammany Hall organization is
matter Of slow growth, and has only become
apparent in the last twenty-five years This
secret society elects "sachems," who have
power over the Tammany Hall building and
property. Although these sachems do not
take an avowed part in political affairs, yet
they have the power at any time to keep the
Tammany Hall organization within their own
control or within that of their favorites
This was shown during the revolt Of the
young democracy against Tweed. The SEN
timent of the democratic party was
as much opposed to the rule Of
Tweed then as to the rule Of
Kelly now. If it had been allowed
Tammany Hall and saved New York q great
deal of money by throwing out the robbers.
But Tweed and his allies invoked the inter
position Of the sachems Of the secret Order.
Through their aid they were enabled to
maintain power which they had usurped
and which was no longer sustained even by
the public opinion of their own party. What
was done then may be done any time Con-
sequently this secret, irresponsible Order not
merely controls the politics Of New York,
but becomes bulwark for crime and pecu-
lation. Clearly charter thus perverted
from its original uses which has become an
engine Of evil to the city, is forfeit The
way to strike Tammany Hall is for the Logis-
lature, when it meets, to strike the Tammany
Society Let the charter be cancelled Let
a committee be appointed 20 inquire into the
violations Of its provisions. There can be
no independence of the democratic party Of
New York until Tammany is broken, and the
way to destroy Tammany Hall is to legislate
out OF existence Tammany Society.
WAR WITH ENGLAND on account Of the fish
cries question is among the most improbable
Of events, and yet rumor of this kind
reaches US through the Washington CORE
spondence Of the Boston Herald. Absurdity
Of invention could scarcely go further than
in this story, aud we print il as unique
specimen of its kind
AN IMPoRrANT DECISION has inst been
rendered by the Court Of Alabama Claims
The point which has been determined in
wolves a great principle As well as large
sums of money. When vessel is unjustly
seized the freight charges for the
voyage are as clearly a loss to the
owners, where they were unable to collect
them in ADVANCE, or to shippers, where
they were already paid, as the vessel
and cargo. Anything short Of this would be
an injustice, and the Court has taken high
and just ground in the decision which hos
just been rendered. Nothing is more i'm
/ portant in the dealings Of nations than that
unjust seizures at sea shall involve tho
fullest responsibility, and the Court Of Ala
bama Claims has done commerce great
service in sanctioning and enforcing this inn
portant principle