The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-11

THE RED MEN.


hrate the anniversary OF Tammany's Day. There
WIN be parade, an oration and ball. The most
20 insure the success Of ali three and ne doubt need
be entertained but that the Red Men will worthly do
honor TO the time and the occasion. -, ,
In this connection an epitome OF the origin anu
history OF the Order may not prove unnterestng. ,
There exists in the recollection OF some , 9l Sne
elder members Of the present day an early traduon,
ence popular, which points to Fort Mifnln, on tne
Delaware river the birthplace Of the society ana
tween the wear 1879 and 1914 as the time Of the kind
ling Of its first council-dre AT the close OF the war
this counci-nre was necessarily quenched, the gar
Tison disbanded and the volunteers returned to
their homes But recollections of the past, the
charms OF an association so patriotic in It's origin
and purpose, and which had been 80 productive OF
good in the past when the dark mantle OF adversity
sung IKE a pail upon the country, with the natural
desire 10 perpetuate and extend it, the incen-
tives 10 revive the society. Accordingly call was
dephla for Council OF the Red Men, which resulted
IN the organization Of what was subsequently known
the Tribe OF Columbia OF the Society OF Red Men
Such in brief is the traditional history OF the origin
OF the order but there is in the records OF the society
presumptve, as well as contemporaneous external
evidence that 1t originated at much earlier day;
and IL is probable that it took its rise during the
Revolutionary war as during that of 1sl2-l5 and the
origin attributed to the society at Fort Miilin may
have been but the reorganization Of preeXisting fra
serna elements by the volunteers for kindred pur-
Tammany, Tamany, Temany or Tamened, as the
Aame is varousy written, was Delaware chief
who fourshed toward the end OF the seventeenth
eentlry. lie lis mentioned by Thomas, in his ''Hstory
Of New York" published at London in 1851, and by
Heekweder in his account OF the Indian Nations"
The latter refers to him a chief who had his
equal and states that when Colonel Morgan, OF
Princeton, in 1776, by direction of Congress, visited
the Western Indians the Delawares conferred him
the name OF Tammany, ''n honor and remembrance
of their ancient chief as the greatest mark of respect
which they could show to that gentleman, who they
said had the same address, atiablty, and meekness
2s their hOnOred chief" As early as our Revolu-
tiOnary war societies called after Tammany were in
existence. His admirers dubbed him a saint, and,
under the name OF St Tammany, proclaimed him
the patron saint Of America
His name was inserted in some of the calendars
and his festival celebrated the 1st OF May in every
year on tnat day numerous society OF ms votares
Philadelphia their hats decorated with buck-tails
and proceeded to handsome rural place out Of town.
which they called the Wtgwam; where, after long
talk or Indian speech had been delivered, and the
calumet of peace and friendship had been duly
smoked ftheF spent the day in festiviy and mirth.
1t must be borne in mind that the society rested
npon q national basis; that whether the theory be
adopted that il originated among the volunteers at
Fort Miin in 1s12-lb regard it as the successor
OF still earlier society existing among the soldiers
of the Revolution, national politics formed conspl-
cuOus feature of the organization. Down as late as
1s7 and even to 1921 this feature is clearly visible
lit
chiYes Of the Great Council Of the United States,
the complexion of the political bias, indicated thus
early in the order, is clearly shown by provision
disqualifyng persons who were not citizens, OF
who either held or owned slaves, from becoming
members
Thus far the society was no doubt political taking
imbled with American sentiments, and prior to the
development Of the intensely bitter animosity and
local h at as Gay grew WaS out Ol
sdered national without being considered political
in any partisan sense, and hence the injunction
already quoted from the early ritual.
From the reorganization OF the society at Philadel
pAia in the year 1s it has spread into different sec
lions of the country North and South
The first Chiefs chosen by the Great Council: were
Great Sachem Seaman's Friend: Great Senior Saga
Uardi inf Graat N
Great Chief of Wampum, True Verdict; Great Pro-
phet, Cock Of the Walk.
United States, the following gentleman were elected
eflcers:-
Great s. s., George w. Lindsay, No. %. North Paca
street, Baltimore, Md.
Great j. S. Adam Smith, San Francisco, Cal.
Great Prophet Joseph Pyle, Wilmington, Del
Great Chief OF r. M. H. German, No. Is South
Seventh street, P9iladelphia: i1f NJ ,,o>, rou,
street, Baltimore, Md
Great Tocakon ]. W. Herbert, No. 1927 Paul street,
Great Minerva, John G. Snyder, Chillicothe, Ohio
We extract the following from the report Of the
Great Incohonee;-
am in possession of facts which warrant ME in
asserting that prosperous results of character not
heretofore realized by our order have crowned the
touching the condition OF the Wampum Belt, and the
numerical standing OF the institution / must refer
you to the reports Of the Great Chiefs OF those special
departments But in reference 10 the former / may
say Its condition is gratifying and OF the latter that
our hunting grounds now contain more great coun-
els and tribes, and larger membership by far, than
heretofore,
During the past grand sun in every 'assigned
tract" with single exception, the augmentation in
tribes and membership has been gratifying; whilst
In some hunting grounds the accession, IN both
tribes and membership has been so rapid and extern
sve to Increase the number OF Red Men over that
of one grand sun ago by several thousands. Tribal
councl-fires are now brightly burning in seventeen
Jurisdictions whilst future is pregnant with most
auspicious promises touching their being kindled
elsewhere. The capacity OF the order for the accom-
plishment OF its great moral and Intellectual pur-
poses has been highly improved and its usefulness
largely extended. Tribes have been organized dur
ing the past year in Louisiana, Indiana, Texas and
California
State OF Pennsylvania committee was appointed to
take into consideration the propriety OF celebrating
the anniversary Of Tammany's day. The following
was their report
TO the Great Council OF Pennsylvania, Improved
Order OF Red Men;-Chiefs and Brothers:-The un-
dersigneo commlttee, appointed 70 make arrange
Red Men in this jurisdiction, would respectfully sub.
init the following report Of their proceedngs:-
On the Goth OF Travelling Moon meeting was
held, and the committee organized by eecting p. G.
l. Angus Cameron permanent chairman; P. G. S. NJ.
N. Gorham, secretary; and 7. s. Henry Fedman
treasurer
At this meeting it was resolved that Tammany'
day be celebrated by general parade OF the order
IN full regaa, and that after the parade an orator
De delivered by competent brother.
PHILADELPHIA 10th OF Beaver Moon, G. S. D. 3T1-
To the Chiefs and Brothers OF -:-The celebration
of the approaching anniversary Of ''Tammany'
day" in the Flower Moon next, will mark an epoc
In the history OF the Improved Order OF Red Men.
Inc founders Of our institution, inspired with
grateful recollection and admiration Of the pure
lofty character ascrbed to one of Americas mobiles
chieitains, ordained that his natal day-the 18th q
the Flower Moon-in each succeeding great sur
should be celebrated as holiday
In the changing vicssitudes OF time, which Dor
heavily upon % our early brethren this admirable oh
After the lapse Of thirty odd great suns, the Grea