The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-07-05
AT TAMMANY HALL.
The Braves Talk Over Their Triumphs-
Prospects OF the Futurc-A Battle Cry.


The Braves Talk Over Their Triumphs-
Prospects OF the Futurc-A Battle Cry.
Tammany. as usual, celebrated the nations
birthday IN the old regulation style, with set ora
lions, patriotic music and the reading of that
startling Declaration Of the fundamental prnci-
pies OF natural political right, their violation by
the British crown and the announcement OF the
determination Of the American colonIsts to as
sumo an Independent autonomy which in the las t
century fired the heart of nation OF sel!respect-
ing 1reenen, though their degenerate sons to-day
pronounce that world famous document tissue
OF "gliltering generalities." The Fourteenth
street "wlswam" OF brick and mortar, re-
| spendent in brilliant paint and gliding, was
the scene OF the Councils" yesterday, Ia which the
working machinery or the party which for many
years ruled this Republic, but which for the last
! fourteen years has played but secondary and IN
important part in national affairs, was once again
set in experimental action. On the platform,
adorned with representative wampum and armed
with the traditional tomahawk or bearing the en-
biematc liberty cap, were the leaders OF the demo-
cratic party OF the State, the painted and reath-
cred chiefs and sachems OF the tribe of Tammany
The young men, warriors and scaip-hunters Of the
nation, with few OF their squaws and pap.
posses, filed .he ample auditorium, listen
ing to and applauding the words OF counsel
and OF patriotic or partisan appeals uttered
by the talking braves of the occasion. They
were moreover cheered and inspirited by the songs
and musical interludes which broke the monotony
OF the war cries, and the variations of political
grievances which formed the staple of the long
and short talks from the rostrum. Hon. Augustus
Schell, formerly Collector OF the Port, as Grand
Sachem Of the Order, made the opening address,
which was responded to by the assembled braves
big Injins and little lnjns by appropriate appro-
bative grunts. The Seventh Regiment Band
placed in the gallery, performed o variety of in
spiriting pieces after each pause between the
talks, and the Glee Club led the Council in singing
such songs as the 'Star Spangled Banner" "Red,
White and Blue" and 'SwOrd OF Bunker Hil.u
Mr.. James S. Thayer, whose devotion to party
during the late war was denounced as superior to
his national loyalty. delivered the main Grafton.
He sketched from the party point OF view the
heritage OF loerty Dequeathed to US by the fathers
OF the Republic and the subversiOn thereof by the
systematic usurpations of rapacious partisans
under pretence of necessities of the recent con-
nct. He asked in indignant terms IL any OF the
rights of the people, seized by the dominant party
In times OF war and disorder had ever been de-
vered to the people again when the nation
breathed in peace His sentiments Of oppo.
sltion to the republican party and General
Grants administration called forth hearty
laratIon that the democratic party having learned
wisdom in many successive defeats, would fight
hereafter, not under the banner OF a new opposl-
ton like the liberal republican party, and his in
vitation to liberal and dissatisfied republicans to
JOIN the cohorts OF Tammany and rout the repuD-
lcan spoilsmen from their places OF power and
plumber.
Sympathetic and hopeful letters were read by
Mr.. James G. spencer from prominent democrats
throughout the Union, samples out OF 1000 which
had been received by the order. These all
Dreathed Indignation against republican misrue as
exempli1ed in the administration OF President
Grant, and confident hopes and expectation Of
speedy and signal triumph for the democracy
under the lead OF ancient Tammany.
When Hon. Fernando Wood was named for o
"short talk his appearance on the platform was
greeted with such storm OF applause fully
showed that the ex-MayOr's white head and erect
figure Will be followed with alacrity by the young
braves, when in the coming contest he redeems
his promise to take the rife and scalping knife and
set out on the warpath. He challenged the hun
tiers, old and young, to a rivalry Of great achieve
ments for Tammany and the nation. Hon. S. s.
Cox, In happy speech, accepted the gage OF his
venerable colleague, and fairly reused his au-
dience by indignant denunciation of the
arbitrary measures OF the lately convicted Police
commissioners Ia the last election. Hon. X. r.
Andrews followed in a denunciation OF republL
can national legislation. These several talks were
all assented to by the assembled braves with
evident appreciation, and it was appar-
ent that the hope Of an early return
to the guidance OF national affairs and participa.
ton IN the rewards OF victory inspired pleasant
thoughts IN many warriors breast as he left
the Council circle to seek refreshMenL at the
"Sprng" IN the underground apartment OF the
massive wigwam,
APPEARANCE OF THE HALL
q a ~ an NJ thp hra
bic in Fourteenth street and groups OF the warr
Ors gathered IN the reception room on it's lower
floor and discussed the topics OF the political times
lew moments later the oand OF the Seventh
regiment from the balcony waited the strains OF
patriotic music upon the suphurous air and imrne-
diately the large hail began TO I'll. Tle musicians
then adjourned TO the right hand gallery aud the
procession OF chle1tains entered, headed by the
Father OF the Council, Sacnem Aoram s.
Hewitt who bore the fiery cap OF lib
erty, followed by the Grand Sachem Au-
gustus Scnel, carrying the glltterng tomahawk.
a long line OF warriors and braves bringing up the
rear. The spacious hall looked brilliant in Its dec
orations Of flowers and emblems OF patriotism.
Upon the platform rested peGestais surmounted
by handsome vases OF flowers Suspended over the
platform was the brilliant banner OF the society,
and over the shield OF the Empire State glittered
IN golo letters the two dates, "'76" and "'74n
Iasteiuly Topped nags hung in the embrasures Of
stripes OF red white and blue, spangled with stars,