Irish Identity, Influence and Opportunity
Even as violence threatened the stability of
many cities, there was cause to celebrate American self-reliance
and Irish-American spirit. John Francis Maguires The
Irish in America (1868) proclaimed the immigrant to be "
the architect of his countrys greatness, the author of her
civilization, the miracle-worker by whom all has been or can be
accomplished."
For centuries, though legally free, the Irish
lived as a conquered people in their own nation. Britain controlled
the politics, economics and religious life of Ireland. Subjugation
and strife gave rise to an unmistakable Irish identity, a sense
of cohesion, and an ability to organize to accomplish goals. The
Irish often met their economic, educational, religious and social
needs through clandestine means that frequently involved their
trusted village priests.
Their organizational ability coupled with the
large number of Irish living in U.S. cities, made the Irish a
powerful political force. They literally transformed politics
in American cities by putting local power in the hands of men
of working class origin. Building on principles of loyalty to
the individual and the organization, they built powerful political
machines capable of getting the vote. Though remembered most for
their perceived corruption, these political machines created social
services long before they were politically mandated by national
political movements.
Dick
Croker leaving Tammany Hall, 1900
Political machines controlled major American
cities into the 20th century. From New York to San Francisco,
the Irish dominated big city politics. New York's Tammany political
machine was under Irish control for more than fifty years.
Irish influence resulted in increased power
for the Democratic Party as well as the Catholic Church. William
R. Grace became New York Citys first Irish-Catholic mayor
in 1880. Four years later, Hugh OBrien won the same position
in Boston.
Irish-American political clout led to increased
opportunities for the Irish-American. Looking out for their own,
the political machines made it possible for the Irish to get jobs,
to deal with naturalization issues, even to get food or heating
fuel in emergencies. The political machines also rewarded their
own through political appointments. In 1855, "...nearly 40%
of New York City's policemen were immigrants, and about three-fourths
of these immigrants were Irish."[Wittke, The Irish in
America]
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