Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-10-10
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE
FOREIGN Advertising Representatives
The South and Tammany

People Of the eastern states are often at a loss 20
understand the antipathy towatd the New York Tam
many organization expressed by political speakers who
arc endeavoring to lead the Solid South into the re
publican fold. Throughout the East Tammany is gen
orally recognized as one Of the most efficient, capably
managed. as we'll a. the oldest political organization
in existence. and many Of the large metropolitan cen
tiers envy New York her Tammany Hall and the ell
Gent city and state governments which are the direct
result Of such organization.
Tammany makes no pretense of being a perfect or
yanization. There have been periods in the history OF
Tammany Hall over which the present membership Is
quite willing to draw a curtain; but the Tammany OF
the present day Is no more like the Tammany Of BOSS
Tweed than il the present corrupt Ware machine OF
Philadelphia similar to the organization Of william
Penn.
southern democrats are largely responsible for the
existing sntipathy toward the New York organization
In the inter-party battles Tammany has been MADE
the DOGGY for the edification Of southern democrats.
The fact that Tammany proved a valued friend OF the
South during the days Of the South's greatest trial
the period Of reconstruction-has been lost sight o.
The South has overlooked the services rendered the
cause OF the South b. Samuel Tilden, grand sachem OF
Tammany. elected BY the democrats and defeated oy
the Vaccinations Of those who we're anything but
friends OF the South. They have overlooked the aid ex-
tended Grover Cleveland and Woodrow Wilson by TAM
many, through whose influence the state OF New iorN
has gained the enviable reputation of being the clean
est. best governed state on the Atlantic seaooard' Inc
opposition believes the South will still give evidence
Of fear and trepidation whenever the name oil ram
many Is mentioned. but the average Southern voter Is
too familiar with the Tammany record Of recent years
70 be dismayed BY the old DOGGY" used 90 effectively
in former campaigns.
No organization. especially one intended for politi-
cal purposes, could exist for over a century without
displaying some dark blots on its record. The fact that
Tammany is fundamentally a democratic institution IS
the only explanation for its survival after the days Of
Boss" Tweed. In fact. the vitality of this century
old organization is such that il has successfully with
stood defeat after defeat, and has always emerged
ready to enter the next campaign with renewed
strength and power.
From the days or Honest John" Kelly, who sue
ceeded Boss" Tweed in 1872, Tanmany has thriyed and
expanded its influence. The election Of Thden ana
Seymour that year to the offices Of grand sachems Of
Tammanv Hail gave Kelly the lieutenants necessary
for publication Of the organization. Tilden was
elected governor Of New York in 1874. When Tilden
became the democratic standard bearer in 1876. Tam
many Hall was a unit in supporting him. and i was the
tremendous popular vote given Tilden that acted as =
warning to tho republican leaders 70 halt their perse-
cution Of the South and extend mercy where no mercy
had heretofore been shown.
No one can deny that Tammany has many imper-
fections; that in many respects 1t is lacking IN the
highest ideals. But where is there a political organi-
zation that meets every ideal Of the American public?
Certainly. the Ware machine of Philadelphia, the Mel
lon ring Of Pittsburgh or Thompsons gunner of Chi
caro- cannot be classed as the ideals. In comparison
with those organizations the Tammany Of the present
day Il spotlessly pure; and set there are political lead
r who a.. advising the Southern voters 20 cast aside
the organization that befs ended the South when the
south needed a friend and cast their lot with those
organizations parading under the G. o. 7. banner.