The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-10-24
lrrom the St. Louis Globe Democrat
TnR TAMMANY SOCIETY.
Facts and incidents Connected with the
History OF the order.

4
The questions are often asked: When
was the Tammany society founded, and
whence did it derive its name and ~
the recent bolt of the aachems from the
New York State Convention excites q
new interest in its history il may not
be amiss to republish the established
traditions concerning its origin and ap.
pellation. The Tammany Society was
founded in 1889, as is duly witnessed
by the pediment which surmounts the
front of Tammany Hail. At that time
there were many Sc. Tammaay societies
throughout the country, and there il no
reason 10 believe that the sole survivor
differed from them in the original pur.
poses of its organization. But the
othe,s died, and the New York Society
became Democratic political institu-
ton. Tammany was an old Indian
chief, whom it is by no means easy to
identify, but he was best known in rev
olutionary times as an ancient Delaware
sachem, who came of victorious IN a
terrific fight with his Satanic Majesty.
The combat WAS long and obstinately
contested, and up to the last moment il
was doubtful to which side the victory
would incline. Tammany was . skill
ful tighter, but his opponent was equal
Is adroit, and after the battle had last
ed all Summer the combatants we're
somewhat tired. They played sad
havoc with the forests, converting large
districts of it into prairie, and such Il
still remains. At length, after months
Of severe lighting. the sachem threw
tho devil aqnarely on his back, and,
SAYS the historian, "wonld then and
there have taken his scalp had he not
succeeded, owing 70 the victor's great
exhaustion, in extricating himself and
escaping over into New York, where he
WAS Hospitality received by the natives,
and has ever since continued 70 make
his home" The same historian says
the Tammany Society was, primarily,
no more of New York institution
than the great Sycamore himself It's
origin is To be traced TO the patriot
revolutionary army, which, having no
patron saint TO fight under after the
protection Of st. George was drawn 70
the enemy, cast about among the coun-
try's native men for some one worthy
OF canonization, and naturally selected
the man who had whipped tho devil"
as pre- eminently deserving Of being set
against him who had vanquished the
dragon. The Pennsolvania troops Of
Washington's command were the first
TO inscribe "St Tammany" on their
banners, and they selected the l2tL Of
May, which tradition assigned for the
new saints nativity, for appropriate
celebration. A wigwam WAS erected, n
pole, crowned with liberty cap, and
bearing aloft tomahawk. wanpnm
aud other Indian paraphernalia, was
planted il. the earth, and around this,
after the representative of the great
sachem, who was persaniiied by a com
ridc duly aecoutred and painted for the
occasion, had emerged from the wig
wan, to which he again retired, aud
delivered a talk fall Of exhortations to
loye OF liberty and courage in battle,
thsy all danced. with feathers in their
caps and bucks tails hanging down be-
hind.
The practice spread throughout the
army st. Tammany and his natal day
were both adopted forts were chris
tened with his name, and the 18th OF
May was regularly commemorated un-
I'll. shortly before the last war with
Great Britain, by order of the Secre-
tary Of War, Gen. Dearborn, the iesti.
val was forbidden as tending TO de
hauehery among the troops. Bat st.
Tammany's early popularity was not
confined TO the army. Civilian Socic-
ties bearing his name sprang up in
many localities. The object was sim
ply festivity. There was procession
of men, women and children, all decked
out with bucks tails and other forest
adornments, to grove, where a wig
wan and liberty pole had been erected
and where, after an address from st
Tammany's representative, the time
was spent in games and dances on the
green. At one time it appeared likely
that st. Tammany's Day would exec
the Fourth of July in popular regard
brt it lacked one enduring element o.
popularity-its observance was not par
ticipated in by fashionable people. Th'
wealthier portion Of the community
turned up their noses at the vulgar pa
rade, and as consequence the celebra
tion of the 18th of May soon died out
and the st. Tammany Societies disap
peared, except that of New York
which still observes the 18th of Ma,