Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-28
Tarnrnany

Tammany, a name which TO millions Of American
voters is anonymous with all that is evil in politics
is the oldest political and social organization in Amer
lea. During the 156 years il has been in existence il
has passed through all the vicissitudes to which a p-
litical organization could be heir. II has survived ad-
versity and prosperity, and is today the strongest
local political organization in the United States, despite
the unsavory record attained during the years when
BOSS" Tweed prostituted it by using the organization
as a medium through which he levied tribute upon the
taxpayers OF New York TO the extent Of hundreds Of
millions Of dollars.
Tammany was not originally a New York organiZa-
ton. 1t was founded in Philadelphia in Ire, deriving
its name from the Indian chieftain who ceded the state
Of Pennsylvania to William Penn in 1888. The New
York Tammany society was founded in 1856, and the
first half was erected in 1911 and was the head
quarters of the war party in New York. The founders
were referred 70 as "a few genuine wings" In 1870
its purposes we're defined as "a political institution
founded on a strong republican basis whose democratic
principles will serve to correct the aristocracy Of our
city"
Governor Alfred Smith, now a sachem Of Tammany,
has had some noble company. George Washington oc-
cupied that exalted position in the Richmond, Va, So
ciety, and records in his diary having attended the
Tammany celebration in that city in 1855. Andrew
Jackson was proud Of his membership in the Tammany
organization, as was also Samuel J. Tiden, elected
president by the democrats in 1876. and counted out
by the republicans. Other leaders whose names are
prominent in history and who were members of he
patriotic organization include August Belmont, Aaron
Burr, Edward Livingston, G. d. Golden, George and
Dewitt Clinton, Dudley Field Malone, William Bourke
Cochrane, David Burnett Hill. and others who took
a leading part in New York and national history.
T%ammany was almost disrupted in 1872 by Boss"
Tweed. who prostituted the organization for personal
gain, but the organization was saved by "'Hones."
John Kelly and Samuel j. Tilden. then a sachem. I'm
der Kelly and Tlden it became a combined political
and social organization, Americanization and education
Of the great mass OF aliens in the city Of New York be-
ing its main objective, a work in which it has been
active over half a century.
In 1854 Iammany opposed the nomination Of Grover
Cleveland, but carried the city for him in the GEN
eral election. In 1888 Cleveland again carried the CITY.
In 1892, the famous contest between Blaine and Cleve-
land split the New York republican camp. and Tam.
many with the aid of Senator Conklin carried the
state and city.
The service rendered the south during the DAYS IF
reconstruction is one of the brightest spots in the his
tory Of the T~ammany organization. Despite the graft"
Of Boss" Tweed in the early 70s, Tammany vigorously
demanded justice for the south, and with the passin,
Of Tweed and the elevation of Kelly and Tilden to
control the influence of the powerful organization was
an important factor in securing recognition Of south
ern rights.
The success OF Samuel J. Tilden. Tammanv sacbem.
who defeated the republican candidate for president in
the national election, but was counted out by throw
ing out the southern vote, was the turning point. II
indicated to republican leaders the national protes,
against persecution of the south and a policy Of con-
ciliation was Immediately adopted.
Governor Smith need offer no apologies for the no.
sition he holds as sachem OF the Oldest political or
ganization in America, an organization formed "a pro-
tect Americn liberties, and which, though il has oeca.
sionally fallen into the hands Of dishonest leaders, to-
day occupies the same premier position among polit-
ieal organizations that il occupied over a century ago.