Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-11-08
TIE DENISE OF TAMMANY

II M
The result of the election in New York has
been to effeotually dispose of the Tammany
influence in both city and State politics.
The anti Tammany candidates for citv Of
fees we're all defeated by large majorities,
and when John Kelly rerires from the Office
of comptroller one year hence there will be
no member or representative of that organi-
zation holding official position in New York
city. At this every honest man, no matter
what his political predictions may be, will
be heartily glad. 1t is folly to presume that
at any subsequent election Tammany can
recover the ground lost at the last polling,
for there is no doubt but Kelly and his fol-
lowers put forth their utmost efforts and
polled a larger vote last Tuesday than they
will ever be able to poll again. The back
hone of the organization has been complete
ly broken, and hereafter it will be mere
cipher in the decision of city or State
politics.
Tammany Hall has itself to blame for this
result. 1t has been guilty of the very COM
mon fault of exaggerating its own power.
Previous concurrence by the Democratic
party in the nominations or recommen-
dations of the society, has inspired the sa-
chems with the idea that the party could not
do without their support, and so, when those
outside that organization undertook to have
a word in the management of the party,
they rebelled, and by their rebellion succeed
ed in defeating the regular Democratic cam
didate for governor. But there is no cost
without some compensation, and by combin-
ing with the Republicans against Robinson,
Tammany had accomplished her own abso-
lutte downfall. With the exception of half a
dozen aldermen, no person wearing the
Tammany collar received majority in
either city or State. The vaulting ambition
of the society overreached itself, and it has
become a political nonentity, despised by all
honest mon and distrusted by those who
have heretofore done it homage.
There is an important lesson in the fall of
Tammany which it would be we'll for all
similar organizations to heed. Such ,socie-
ties merely form part of great whole.
If they exercise great influence it is simply
because of their association with what is
greater than them-the entire party. They
may for series of years substantially con-
troll the nominations of the party, and If
they are wise, moderate, and make judicious
selections for public Office, their sway may
be prolonged indefinitely. But if, like the
frog who thought to initiate himself to the
dimensions of an OK, they become imperious
and self important, they will meet with the
same disastrous consequences. Nothing will
show them their own insignifcance sooner
than an attempt to cast loose from the party
through which they derive their power. At
single election they may influence large
enough vote to defeat few obnoxious can
didates, but by their act they seal their own
death warrant just as Tammany has done.
Political societies are good thing in their
way. But there is always danger that they
will essay too much-attempt to run coun-
ter to the wishes of majority of the party,
and failing to carry their point attempt it's
destruction. Only by making them auxil-
liary to the party-its aids in some special
field of labor-can their usefulness be con-
timed. Tammany was useful in controlling
certain class of voters for the Democratic
party, but thinking it could control all mat
tors Of party policy it has met its fate, and a
just one it is. No tears will be shed over it's
demise. It has deserved the destruction
that has overtaken it.