Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-25
The Tammany Society.
fAcTs ASD INCIDENTS CONNECTED WIN
THE HISTORY OF THg ORDER.

FACTS AND INCIDENTS CONNECTED WIN
THg HISTORY or Tng ORDER.
from the ~. Louis Globe Democrat.
The questions are often asked When
was the Tammany society founded ? and
Whence did il derive its name and ~
the recent bolt of the sachens from the
New York State convention excites a
new interest In its history il may not be
amiss TO republish the established ira
ditions concerning its origin and appel.
lation. The Tammany society was
founded in 1889, as is duly witnessed
by the pediment which surmounts the
front of Tammany hall. At that time
there were many st. Tammany societies
throughout the country, and there is no
reason to- believe that the sole survivor
differed from them in the original pur-
poses of its organization. But the 9th
ers died, and the New York society be.
came Il Democratic political institution.
Tammany was an old Indian chief
whom it IL by no means easy 10 identity.
but he was best known in revolution.
AIRY times as AN ancient Delaware
sachem. who came of victorious in a
terrific fight with his satanic majesty
The combat was long and obstinateiy
contested, and up TO the last moment
il was doubtful 10 which side victory
would incline. Tammany was IA skill.
iul fighter, but his opponent was equal.
ly adroit, and after the battle had lasted
all summer the combatants were some.
what tired. They played sad havoc
with the forest, converting large dis
tricts OF it into prairie, and such il still
remains. At length, after months of
severe fighting, the sachem threw the
devil squarcly on his back, and says
the historians, "would then and there
have taken his scalp had he not sue.
ceeded, owing to the victor's great ex
haustion, in extricAting himself aud 90.
Gaping over into New York where he
was Hospitality received by the natives,
and has ever since continued TO make
his home The same historian saws
the Tammany society was. primarily. no
more OF New York institution than
the great Sycamore himself lts origin
is to be traced to the patriot revolution.
AIRY arm, which, having no patron saint
10 fight under after the protection of
st. George was drawn TO the enemy,
cast about among the country's native
men for some one worthy OF cannoniza.
ton, and naturally selected the man
who had whipped the devil" "A pre-.
eminently deserving OF being set against
him who had yanquished the dragon.
The Pennsylvania troops OF Washing.
tons command were to inscribc "St.
TAmmany" on their banners and they
selected the 18th OF May, which tradi
ton assigned for the new saints nsiivi
iy, for appropriate celebration. wig
wan was erected, pole, crowned with
q liberty cap, and bearing aloft toma.
hawk, wAmpum, and other Indian par.
aphcrnalia, was planted in the earth,
aud around this, after the representa-
tive of the great Sachem. who was per.
soniiied by comradc duly accoutted
aud painted for the occasion, had
emerged from the wigwam, 10 which he
again retired, and delivered talk"
full Of eIhortaiions TO love of liberty
and courage in battle. they all danced.
with feathers in their caps and bucks
tails dangling down behind.
The practice spread throughout the
army st. Tammany and his natal day
were both adopted forts were christen.
ed with his name, and the l2th Of Nav
was regularly commemorated, until,
shortly before the late war with Great
Britain, by order Of the Secretary of
War, Gen. Dearborn. the festival was
forbidden as tending 10 debauchcry
among the troops. But st. Tammapys
early popularity was not confined TO the
army. Civilian societies bearing his
name sprang up in many localities.
The object was simply iestiviiy. There
was q procession Of men, women and
children, all decked out with bucks
tails and other forest adornments, to a
grove. where the wigwam and liberty.
pole had been erected, and where, after
an address from St. Tammanys repre-.
sentative, the time was spent in games
and dances on the green. Al one time
it appeared likely that st. Tammanys
Day would excel the Fourth Of July in
popular regard, but il lacked one on.
during element Of popularity--its oh.
servanoe was not participated in by
fashionable people. The weslthier por'
ton OF the community turned up their
noses at the vulgar parade, and ss q
consequence the celebration cf the 18th
OF May soon died out, and the st. Tam.
many societies disappeared, except that
Of New York. which still observes the
18th OF May within the order