Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-12
GENEAL0GY.
SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI
By Frederic J. Haskin.

ground. Below are two hands supporting
heart and the words "Esta Perpetua. :"
On the reverse side is shown Fame
crowning Cincinnatus with a laurel
wreath. The design of this emblem was
made by Maj. LEnfant.
There are in the country quite a num-
Der of these emblems which belonged to
the original members of the Cincinnati.
Most of them are in the possession Of
their lineal descendants, who have now
acquired the right to wear them, for the
number of persons entitled to belong to
the order has increased with each gene
ration. and each year more of them are
taking up their privileges. The most
valuable insignia ever made for the Gin
cinnati was the one presented to Wash
inSton by the French officers In 1874.
1t has the eagle set with diamonds. and
now belongs TO the society. 1t is placed
under the guardianship OF the president
general and the treasurer, who keep it
securely guarded in a deposit vault. the
president general having the right to wear
it upon such ceremonial occasions as he
may deem proper
:: x
In connection with the Society Of the
Cincinnati, 1t is interesting to note
that the organiza ton
Organization of OF the army officers Of
the revolution was the
A0AAuaAy' excuse for the organi-
zaticn of the Tammany Society, which in
after years became so dominant factor
in New York politics. This was founded
in New York in 1859. two weeks after
the final organization of the national
government. Among lis members We're
included the famous Liberty Boys" of
New England ami many private soldiers
who had fought as bravely during the
revolutionary war as had the officers, and
who, therefore. resented being left out
Ct an organization designed as monu-
ment to that war.
The Tammany Society was modelled
closely after the Cincinnati, excepting
that it's officers for the most part took
Indian names. 1t was divided into thir-
teen branches for the thirteen original
states, each of which was designated by
the name Ct some animal. New York was
the Eagle branch, New Hampshire the
Otter, Connecticut the Bear, Massachu-
sets the Panther and Rhode Island the
Beaver.
The Tammany Society had Indian SYM
bols in all its rites. and was designed to
represent strictly American nation. Its
mcnsoers stood for manhood suffrage
without any property qualification, and
one of their first efforts was directed
toward abolishing the laws then existing
in NEST Of the states by which a person
could be imprisoned for debt. For some
reason the Tammany Society was always
stronger in New York. even at the be-
ginning, when the New England state
branches were also active. For many
years there have been only nominal or
CARNATIONS In most of the states. and
now few are in existence at all.
Tammany has been always a social and
charitable organization. nominally at
least, and has no connection with the
New York Tammany democracy, which
may not even use Tammany Hall for a
meeting place without its permission.
Still. the organization has had great in.
direct political influence for more than
a century, while the Society of Cincinnati.
which it was started to oppose, waned
in power and influence until it was al
NEST unknown.