The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-11-11
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aTammany Hall. .iqs ,asae.A 1
Everybody has heard Of ..Tammany"
as . power in, the politics of New ! York
City, but probably very few persons out
side Of the Tammany Society, are aware
of The originiof the organ,zation.5gslss
On the 18th Of May, 1889, died very
aged chief. of the Delaware tribe Of In
dians named Tammanys This Indian
was quite celebrsted--perhaps JUSTLY
for his virtues; and as the first Congress
under the newt Constitution had met but
two months before his death, the idea
was suggested Of making "Sainta Tam
many ~ the patfoa saint Of, the young
gas|aa ass hs ssspHgs sssppRgss#iqAb #b Vas
spirit of the times, for reverence was
then at discount, and joking upon re.
ligious matters was common
The idea was so far acted upon that
Tammany societies sprang up in New
York, Philadelphia, and other cities
Their object was charitable and benevo-
lent. Their officers bore Indian. titles,
such as sachem and sycamore, and, in
the ceremonies there was talk Of toma-
hawks, wampum, and other articles in
use among the Indian tribes, "a ate
Except in New York, these societies
we're everywhere sshortlived. 81 In New
York the Tammany Society efourished,
and became one of the great institutions
Of the city. Many years ago, exactly
how long ago we do not know, it began
to take, as a hodv, an interest in politics.
No doubt, at first it was animated by q
patriotic spirit, and desire forsagood
government, Ga 90 siosss ssiza ysko . q !
It's members were men Of prominence
land influence, and the action Of the so.
Iciety carried with it weight very much
lin excess OF the numb bers comprising the
Organization. AS soon as politics be-
came the chief topic Of interest 10 the
society, its usefulness ass 3 benevolent
association began to wane, and Was eoon
wholly gone And It Is not surprising
that intriguing politicians, seeing the
power OF the society, were eager to Join
lit, and to exercise that power Themselves,
From this cause there have been Pc
|riods when the name of Tammany has
ftly expressed all that was evil and cor
rupt in the politics of the country. One
OF these periods was when Tweed 29aa
1.-The sachem nf Tammany. slslsE
/ The Tammany Society still meets in
Its, magnificent hall in New York City,
and its officers are still sachens,, but ii
is now purely Democratic political or
ganization, Mr.. John Kelly Is at pres,
ent at the head of it. A large majority
OF the Democratic voters of New Yorh
City usually look to Tammany Hall fol
Instructions, and in general they obey
directions from the Tammany. Society
implicitly. - -. 49,
I At times there have been rebelllons
ana more tnans once Dem0eratie oaAoi
dates, nominated by organizations hos
tile to Tammanv, have been elected owe
all opposition. But on the other hand
when Tammanv has been strong ituhal
Imposed its will upon the Democrats ol
1.-The great State OF New York, and hai
welded potent influence in shapiop
the action of the Democratic party II
Its national conventions. saiirSd .sssiG 4
1t would not be easy within our1imitl
to show exactly the smannerin which th'
society exercises its power in New Yorl
City politics Bot it may be said tha
all the important nominations are ,deci
, ded upon by Tammany, aud the caucpse'
and conventions that follow merely car
ry out the plan previously arranged. ~
The Democrats Of New York City sdt
not all of them march behind the ban
ner of Tammany however. ssMuche q
members of the party outside Of th'
city may desire to oblige an organiza
ton that controls SO many votes, sth'
Democratic State Convention sometimes
acts in direct opposition to the society
20 It has been so this year. Mr. sTiider
is an anti-Tammsuy' Democrat. Sol
Governor Robinson. Before the Dem
ocratic conventions this year. the Tam
many Society announced publicly tina
: it would, under no circumstances, sup
pOTb Gu6 IJOV6EuOF LUZ ouOtHCt tCi VI
Nevertheless be was nominated, ant
Tammany has s'bolted," and nominated
+ Mr.. Kelly. ..',,t.. ss'sA agss.s .
' Without any reference to patty or t.
the past history Of the Tamnany So
] ciety, its position and. Influence are evils
The society is wholly irresponsible. !
|, puts men into. office, butt cannots b
punished il it.puts bad menathere..a ]
e NAV be said that when voters accept it
E decisions, may make its acts their owr
i end this is trueiss Certain sense. Ye
it Is also true that it is virtually an aris
|tocracy, unknown to the laws, and caps
BILE of introducing great abuses into ou
political system, as has been prose
many times. ss@,s .'sseesssa 2
While Republicans have never pre-
fessei any liking for Tammany orsit
methods, the Democrats ought to detes
1t, for it dictates to them, and fetter
: them so that they cannot exercise thei
!, rights freely. .3.. 80 sls1 81