The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-11-10
The Most Powerful Factor in the Politics of
New York City and the Empire
State.
Organized as Great Patriotic Body With
Vim. Mooney, @From the Old
Sod" Its Founder.

It is question whether in all the
world there has ever been an organiza-
tion which has stood the vicissitudes
and intrigues Of political life so vali-
antly az has the leading political or
ganiEation Of New York city. known as
the Tammany Society or the Columbi-
m Order, says a writer in a recent is
sue Of the Irish World.
1t is without doubt the best loved by
its friends and the best hated by its
enemies Of any similar association on
the 6aee Of the globe. Yet through its
admirable and closely connected or
+ sanization 1t goes on from year to
year, meeting defeat occasionally, and
gaining added strength through each
reverse, for more ferocious and sue
cessful battle to follow.
When society or organization, CIV
en- over to politics has been active for
considssable more than a .4cantury It
is pertinent to inquire wherein lies the
vitality. -' 7s-' e. s''
The Society of Tammany or Column
biAn order was established in 1859, as
nearly as can be learned by a citizen
3nf New York. by the name of William
Mooney, an suspicious name for a
founder, for it smacks strongly Of COM
ing originally from "the Old Sod" and
in tracing down the line Of the strong
men in that organization many Irish
names are prominently to the front.
The idea rose at the close of the
Revolution, and the Society was organ
ised as great patriotic body, having
for it's motto Freedom Our Rock,''
and Independence Day has from those
trying times down to the present been
the one day for the great display Of the
society's strength and patriotism.
Strictly speaking, the Society of
Tammany was organized, and accord
ing to the terms Of it's Incorporation,
is yet a social, patriotic an charitable
association. and is practically dis
tinct body from the general COMMITTEES
Of the Democratic Party generally un-
derstood and looked upon as Tam
many
The Society, however, has become SO
closely identified with the Democratic
Party and New York politics that no
other side is regarded by the general
observer Of municipal affairs, and
"Tammany" has come to mean the
organization which, through its vari-
GUS officers and leaders, is the con-
trolling element in city politics.
During the existence Of the Tam
many Society there have been a grea:
number Of similar organizations spring
up and seek the favor Of the public
with varying success but most of
them have been short lived and of lit
tie influence, while the original organ
isation has ridden triumphant and un-
disturbed over the troubled waters Of
q political sea.
The question arises, wherein lies the
strength Of an organization to thus
meet all opposition and always in the
end emerge victorious To those critics
who claim that Tammany is all bad,
there arises the almost unbroken rec
ord OF one hundred and twenty years
( Of successful operation, and, while
there have been dark days for tho or
ganization and chapters in its history
{ OF which 1t is not proudly boastins,
yet it has purified iteelf like a run
ming river, and each time emerges
strengthened and with many more 10y
al followers than ever before.
It is not conceivable that all the
great names which are, and have been,
connected with Tammany have given
u II their unqualified support, in season
and out of season, unless the great un-
DERIVING principles upon which the So
aciety Is founded are worthy, or that
the strength Of the organisation is be-
4 Ing prostituted by the evil things which