New-York tribune., 1902-02-08
TAMMANY.
AN ESSAY IN THE GENTLE ART OF
WHITEWASHING.

HIs{To6Y 81. R1. OF THE TAMMANY SOCIETY; Fl From y
ItS OITSahlzaton 10 the Present Ilnle- Ry =
ing Company
1t is indeed true. as Mr.. Vale Blake observes
In his preface TO this slightly volume that there
are many persons so greatly under the influ-
ence of opposing partisan affiliation that they
can scarcely be brought to believe that there
is or ever any good thing in this powerful
and most persistent Of political organizations
Tammany Hall He has undertaken to set
forth in his history the reasons for it's vitality
but unfortunately he entirely omits to mention
the chief of them, the cohesive power of public
plunder."
The emnenty respectable beginnings of the
Columbian Order" when 1t considered itself a
brother of the Cincinnati, are dear to the pres
ent day historian; when jefferson, Clinton and
Jay its guests: when it was the only or
ganized conservator of art in this country, and
the centre of archaeological knowledge in the
city OF New York" It even started a museum,
which went the way Of the other reputable
belongings of the society In those days there
were poets and literary men in its membership:
Bryan. Philip Freneau Fitz Greene Halleck and
Joseph Rodman Drake. James X. Pauding and
Gulian c. Verplanck all claimed by the So
ciety. Its first meeting place in Barden's
tavern, near Bowling Green; then at Mart
society built its first wigwam near the latter
place. and in 1867 the present hall of notorious
memories was dedicated, the orator Of the oc-
casion being Gulian c. Verplanck.
The beneficent career of craftsmanship art
and archaeology with the harmonious co-opera-
ton of poets. statesmen and orators that
marked Tammanys progress through the cen
tury, received a rude shock in 1871. 1t expert
enced then the greatest misfortune which has
eyer bpf he historian
puts it. It's grand sachem. William NJ. Tweed
was found out more thoroughly than any grand
sachem has been before or since. 1t is a sign
OF weakness of intellect" however, to attempt
to identify Tweeds misdeeds with Tammany;
the cause was ''in the individual nature, and
had nothing to do with political affiliations"
And not Tweed promptly turned Out-as
soon he was publicly discovered?
There are gems of Tammany wisdom and
philosophy scattered through the volume How
it is, for nstance-though it is said almost
incidentally, in regard to the appointment of
leader" for the Annexed District-that Tam
many has always been noted for the care with
which it looked after special classes of voters,
not permitting any large body Of citizens to
pine uselessly for its paternal sympathy" The
opponents to the Tammany Hall organization
as a rule have no other end in view than to
cure the patronage naturally inherent in the
administration of a large municipality" And
again: The habitual calumny in which the op
ponents Of Tammany indulge has seldom had
any serious result. and certainly permanent
effect on the organization itself, because intelli-
gent voters know that most of the accusations
are absolutely false wild exaggerations." It
is the "conscienceless slanderers Of Tammany
who are defaming the metropolis, and every
Americans moral status abroad is thus wilfuy
lowered. One Of the most delightful chapters
in the book is the short devoted to Richard
sons noted among the worlds greatest lead
ers" It is all too brief TO do justice to the sub
tect-to that "chivarous fidelity" for which he
has never asked nor sought further recompense
than that he found IN guiding those for whom
he fought and in the consciousness Of duty well
performed"
Mr.. Blake traces from year to year the benef-
icent deeds that Tammany Hall has performed
for the city and the nation. and eulogizes the
eminent statesmen who have participated in
them and guided the fortunes Of the organiza-
ton eliminating in the person Of the great fig
ure Just referred to. 1t is all pitched in high
key all eloquent-and sometimes little Hitter
ate; and truth to tell, not often convincing to
those conversant with the facts from more i'm
partial sources. 1t is a book tho' must make
the faithful grin, as they greet each other
much as the later Roman augurs grinned in
greeting.