New-York tribune., 1896-10-04
/" SAINT" TAMMANY.

Tammany Hall was formally organized just
twelve days after the first installation Of Wash
ington as President Of the United states. Its
germ existed further back. During the Revolu-
ton the British troops had s. George for their
patron and his name for their war cry The
Americans some Of them. not 10 be outdone.
invented patron saint Of their own They took
for his legendary personality one Tamanend
famous cheftan of the Delaware Indians who
probably lived at about the time Of Columbus
discovery of America. and had his favorite hunt
ing grounds in what is Eastern Pennsy ylvania
especially around the Delaware Water Gap \
mountain peak there bears his name There
are many legends of him. mostly imaginative
Fenimore Cooper has drawn one fine picture OF
him. Another story Of his personal battle with
the Devil is widely known which relates that the
indian vanqushed the iend and drove him from
the pennsylvania mountains 10 Manhattan Isl
and where he has since made his home Not So
pad fiction, that. either-Tammany introduc-
ing deviltry into New-Ycrk'
inc pennsylvania troops took 20 inscribing his
name upon their banners and speaking Of Saint"
Iamanend, or Tammany a. their patIor sain,
They fixed upon May - as his birthday. and
celebrated it each wear with great festivities.
marked by such Use Of frrwater as at length led
10 their suppression 10y the authorities as tend
Ing to debauch the Army Forts were named
a'ier him. and ir every camp wigwam was
Dull in his honor adorned with ,omahawks
wampum ana painted totems There the soldiers
would gather from time 10 time themselves
dcxed with feathers. paint and bucks hide
with the tail hanging down behind TO listen TO a
harangue from one Of their number personating a
Sachem. and 20 indulge in a grand povwow
Ai'er the war was ended these observances were
carried into civil life. Tamrnany wigwams were
Duht IN many towns Tammany societies were
!or'ned and -. Tammany's Day May T.. was a
formidable rival Of July as a public holiday.
'uch was the state Of affairs when that su-
pre'neIy typical dcmagogue Aaron Burr, for the
rurtherance Of his selfish designs. conceived the
plan Of forming secret political club To in
sure its success. he must himself AT least in
'ne beginning not appear to be identified or
al all concerned with it. SO he put forward
his friend and most obcdient servant. William
Mooney 10 be It's osiensible founder This latter
was an ardent patriot Of Irish parentage with
hatred OF the British and Of all things aristo-
cratic. and love for the mysterious and spec
'acuiar; an upholsterer 10y trade who let Burr
ron In debt - him TO so large an amount as
10 rum him when Burr repudiated his debts.
and who wac glad to end his days as keeper Of
'he public almshouse. Mooney borrowed the
general scheme OF the Tammany societies. called
the meeting place Of the new organization A
"g"am, It's head-who TO he European.
oy-'he-"ay-the Great Father. its council OF
'"e'Ve Sachems. its master Of ceremonies ii
oaga'nore, and its doOrkeeper a Wiskinkic. He
wanted 10 discard the name Tammany how
ever. and call 1t THE Columbian Order But
matter The foreign Great Father was
cropped transformed into an American
Grand Sachem' and the name finally adopted
was The Tammany Society or Columbian
order.' AS such 1t formed at the date
named above. and soon grew into Importance
and influence. 1t celebrated both May II and
July as National holidays and on the former
Gate in 1890 was introduced to the public in
The NewYork Daily Gazette In these terms:
The Society OF ST. Tammany, being National
'1ciety consists Of Americans born. who fill all
..hces and adopted Americans. who are eligible
~ ~ .he honorary posts Of warrior and hunter 1t
rounded on the true principles Of patriotism.
snd has for its motives charity and brotherly
.oVe Its officers consists Of one grand sachem.
a"e've sachems. one treasurer. one secretary,
oe ooorkeeper. II Is divided into thirteen tribes.
winch severally represent State; each tribe is
soverned by sachem, the honorary posts In
winch are one warrior and hunter.
iS iegal incorporation was effected on April
o. lSt' the Legislature granting to civilian
ioohey and other inhabitants Of the city OF
"e"-fo ork' charter "for the purpose OF afford
ns relief to the INDECENT and distressed mem
"e's o! the association. their widows and
"phans. and others who may be found proper
'''ec's Of their charity" The first Wigwam
was IN Barden's City Hotel. Broadway. the
'.e0nd In Broad-st drinking place, and the
a which was used until the first Tammany
a' was erected. in "Martling's Long Room,
somewhat disreputable drinking place ana
No sa"ce hail. commonly known the pig Pen.
-. character Of the meetings was afterward
wen described by Hslleck:
inH ss barrel OF porter in Tammany Hall
long. 'ee"' -
Soeiety began the collection Of a museum
Sau'otic relics. Of which 1t presently got