TAMMANY HALL Centennial Celebration 113th ANNIVERSARY American Independence. — .««♦«> JULY 4th 5 1889. SEYMOUR DURST When you leave, please leave this hook Because it has heen said "Ever thing comes t' him who waits Except a loaned book." Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library Gift of Seymour B. Durst Old York Library Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/centennialcelebrOOtamm CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE Society of Tammany OR COLUMBIAN ORDER, AND OF THE 113th ANNIVERSARY OF THE Declaration of American Independence, HELD AT TAMMANY HALL. Thursday. July 4th. 1889. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE TAMMANY SOCIETY. NEW YORK : JOHN \V. OLIVER, STEAM PRINTER. No. 903 CANAL STREET 18 89. 115 OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. jNSTifuriONV * x . iz ;:z . C^Z-L ZZ 1ZZ-Z G-tV- O-L G-Us'Ls UsV^\ ■r zz ^ ; ^i^zz ^l^Lo^at^ Zi'^cz £j*^£- ^Lcc-vucL^c^c^ cz,'rzc~ ^ iz 'CT^Cc--- Ci- C C^C-^O^lsCZLLiy iSM*V~<'\s€> U,0~ZU L 3- Sti :r,c ; z cz ~Z zzv^z^tzzc^c ~ o z z - z tL f v T 'toG^Y^^Vt^u^'t--UG-Y^ St I ^^^ G-L i^LsQ^ p^e^G-p^Ce^ , CL>Y^cL t^C^G^cLt^ Cv^ CLAs= VJ^G^ ^o~y,^VL>L j^tsOcLo, Vs^v~lv~s> ~tltsCs VH^snisoA^veA* w^li^cUu r i MsO-i' Legist fco~> /c-t^e-' tlues ^cUL^c^Vl-c^ cvtc^c-t- oU- ¥ r / I i / At ' / . j J - < 3 cjcii^e^ts o-JL tsti^es ^o-usKsCsisi v Will SOCIETY OF TAMMANY, or COLUMBIAN ORDER, CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SOCIETY, AND OK T1IK 113th ANNIVERSARY OF 5\mranm iivsl e.p mil nut TAMMANY HALL, 14th St., Near Third Ave. Thursday, July 4th, 1889. ORDER OF EXERCISES. NATIONAL AIRS By BAYNE'S 69TII REGT. BAND. ADDRESS OF WELCOME, . . . By Grand Sachem JAMES A. FLACK. MUSIC. QUARTETTE — Centennial — "All Hail this Glorious Morn," TAMMANY GLEE CLUB. READING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, as prescribed by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Society, . By Brother JACOB A. CANTOR. QUARTETTE — "Columbia, We Love Thee," . . . TAMMANY GLEE CLUB. DUETT — " Yenetiau Boat Song," Mrs. C. H. CLARKE and Mrs. C. F. ANDERSON. "LONG TALKS," By Hon. W. BOURKE COCKRAN, of New York. Hon. JAMES B. EUSTIS, U. S. Senator from Louisiana. MCSIC. DUETT—" Estudiantina," . Mrs. C. H. CLARKE, and Mrs. C. F. ANDERSON. Matilda Scott Paine, Accompanist. READING REPLIES TO THE INVITATIONS OF THE SOCIETY FROM DISTINGUISHED DEMOCRATS AND ABSENT BROTHERS BY SECRETARY THOMAS F. GILROY. QUARTETTE — "The Sword of Bunker Hill," . . TAMMANY GLEE CLUB. "SHORT TALK S," BY Hon. B. T. BIGGS, Governor of Delaware. Hon. A. P. JONES, of New York. " C. W. WILSON, Governor of W. Ya. " H. A. REEVES, of New York. " JOHN H. REGAN, U. S. Senator from " GEORGE W. GREENE, of New York. Texas. " ASIIBEL P. FITCH, of New York. M CHARLES E. HOOKER, of Miss. " GEORGE K. ROESCH, of New York. 41 B. F. SH1YELY, of Indiana. " JOSEPH BU MENTHAL, of N. Y. " JAMES JEFFRIES, of Louisiana. " JOHN CONNELLY, of New York. « M. V. B. EDGERLY, of Mass. '• HOSEA B. PERKINS, of New York. ALLAN L. McDERMOTT, of N. J. " THOMAS (\ T. CHAIN, of New York. " S. S. COX, of New York. " ISAAC L. EGBERT, oi New York. " CLINTON BECK WITH, of New York. " JOHN R. McNULTY, of New Y«.rk. u J. H. WARD, of New York. " JOHN B. KoGOLDRICK. of N. Y. Sachems and Officers of the Society. JAMES A. FLACK, Grand Sachem. WM. BOURKE COCKRAN, RICHARD ( POKER, JOHN IfoQUADE, THOMAS L. FEITNER. JOEL O. STEVENS, JOHN J. GORMAN, BERNARD F. MARTIN, JOHN COCHRANE. CHARLES W ELDE, CHARLES M. CLANCY. JAMES J. SLEVIN, HUGH J. GRANT. CHARLES E. SIMMONS, j V mi. ARTHUR LEARY, Treasurer. THOMAS F. GILROY, Secretary. JOHN i>. nkw.man, maktntele. WILLIAM h. DOBB& Sagamore. JOHN Mc(jUADE, Father of the Council. MAURICE F. HOLAHAN. Scribe of the Council. "CENTENNIAL. ' r QUARTETTE. Dedicated to the Tammany Society. WORDS BY J. MONROE ANDERSON. Tammany Glee Club. All hail this festal morning ! With joy we greet its dawning, Our council-fires relighting, And storied-past reciting; Thus may our Order ever stand, A bulwark strong, of freedom's land- By all we fondly cherish, Its fame shall never perish; Grand old Columbian Order, A hundred years applaud her, Through centuries, as time rolls on,. Will patriots bless thy natal morn. Then, brothers, swell the chorus, Till heaven's breezes o'er us Shall waft it o'er the mountains, To far-off vales and fountains; Within our wigwam, heart and hand, We pledge to guard our glorious land.- SACHEM, HUGH J. GRANT. MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. Tammany Society. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THK ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SOCIETY, i.VI) OF THK 113th ANNIVERSARY OF u July 4th. 1889. [n the month of May, L789, the Society of Tam- many, or Columbian Order, was founded. The ■organizers of this Institution were inspired by the samesenseof patriotism that fired the hearts oj the men who had risked and given their " lives, for- tunes, and sacred honor," to throw off the joke of Great Britain, and to establish a government that would become in the future an asylum for the oppressed of all lands, and that would in reality * 4 derive its just powers from the consent of the gove rued.'* At the date of the foundation of the Society, the Constitution under which the United States were to be governed hud been adopted, and George Wash- ington, the lirst President elected under that 10 Tammany Society. Constitution, had just been inaugurated. After the War of the Revolution had ended, and the plan of future government of the liberated Colo- nies was being discussed, there sprang into exist- ence a party which strongly favored a sort of lim- ited monarchy, or "strong government, ,? as they expressed it. This idea was fought successfully by Thomas Jefferson and his followers. After the adoption of the Constitution, the supporters of the strong central government idea did not cease their struggles, and societies were formed to keep alive their ideas, the membership of which was limited to the descendants of men who were officers in the Continental Army, and of the men who supported the principles of Alexander Hamilton. It was to combat this idea, and to keep alive the "fires of liberty," and to perpetuate a republican form of government, that the Society of Tammany was formed, and one of the fundamental rules of the Order was that the Society was to meet on In- dependence Day in each year, and to read again the Declaration of Independence. The One Hundred and Thirteenth Celebration of Independence Day, occurred on Thursday, July 4th, 1889, and on that clay occurred the Centen- nial Celebration of the Founding of the Tammany Celebration, 1889 \ 11 Society, and the "glorious instrument " was rend for the one hundredth time. Extraordinary efforts were made by the Board of Sachems to make this celebration one of the grandest ever held by the Society. The Wigwam, on Fourteenth Street, had been entirely repainted and decorated since the recent fire, and its bright and fresh appearance was made still more fresh and gay by the grandeur of the special decora- tions. The outside ot the building was literally covered with the National colors. From every window fluttered American (lags, and from each of the corners of the roof were lines stretched to the to}) of the main flagstaff, upon which was strung the pennants of the American Navy. In- side the Grand Council Chamber the decorations were more elaborate. Around the w r alls were hung the coats of arms of the several States. Handsome silk bannerets adorned each of the posts. The ladies' gallery, and the grand plat- form, was draped in purple and gold. On each side of the desk and chair of the Grand Sachem w r ere handsome (lorn 1 pieces. The Cap of Liberty, surmounting the pole, rested on the stage to the right of the Grand Sachem. The main floor and the galleries were crowded to 12 Tammany Society. overflowing with an audience of enthusiastic dem- ocrats, and the boxes were filled with fair ladies, who cheered to the echo the patriotic speeches of the distinguished democrats, and braves, who gave the long and short talks. Baynes 69th Regiment band stationed iti the centre of the mam gallery, discoursed patriotic music and popular airs. At half-past ten, the Sachems and Braves, headed by Wiskinkie John D. Newman, bearing the Liberty Cap, and Sagamore William H. Dobbs, with the battle ax and Pipe of Peace, filed into the hall to the inspiring strains of the "Tammany Grand March/' played by the band, and took the places assigned them on tin 1 grand platform. Among the many distinguished Democrats and Braves, were : United States Senator James B. Enstis, of Louisiana. Governor E. Willis Wilson, of West Virginia, Governor B T. Biggs, of Delaware, Hon. B F. Shively. of Indiana. Hon. C. 1. Weston, of Michigan, Mayor Hugh J. Grant, Chamberlain Richard Croker. Commissioner of Public Works Thomas F. Gilroy, Police Commis- sioners James J. Martin, and Charles F. McLean, Hon. Clinton Beckwith, Congressmen W. Bourke Cockran, Francis B. Spinola, Ashbel P. Fitch, SACHEM, RICHARD CROKER. CHAMBERLAIN OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. Celebration, LSM. L3 Frank T. Fitzgerald, and Edward Dunphy, Re- corder Frederick Smyth, Sheriff James A Flack, Surrogate Rastus S. Ransom, Register .James .1. Slevin. County Clerk Edward F. Reilly, Deputy ■Commissioner Bernard F. Martin. Deputy County Clerk P. J. Scully, Street Commissioner Rogers, Hon. George F. Roesch, Charities Commissioner Edward C. Sheehey, Ex-Judge John McQuade, Commissioners of Accounts Maurice F. Holahan and William P. Barker. State Senators Jacob A. Cantor and Charles Stadler. Corporation Counsel William H. Clark, Police Justices Charles Welde, Andrew J. White, Daniel F. McMahon, Edward Hogan. John J. Gorman and John Cochrane; Under Sheriff John B. Sexton. Deputy Register James Hanley, Fire Commissioner Anthony Eick- hoff, Charities Commissioner Charles E. Simmons, Superintendent Thomas Brady, Assemblymen Joseph Blumenthal, Patrick H. Duffy, Timothy I). Sullivan, Thomas Smith Jr , Jeremiah Have-. Dominick Mullaney, Charles Blake Thomas J. Creamer, Frederick Haffner, Edward 1*. I lagan. William H. Neuschafer, John Connolly. August Strassburg and Christopher C.Clark, Aldermen Cornelius Flynn. Patrick Diwer, Andrew A.Xoo- nan, Alex. J.Dowd. William B. Walker, James F. Butler. Richard J. Sullivan, James Gilligan, 14 Tammany Society. William P.Rinckhoff, James M. Fitzsimons, Henry Gunther, Walton Storm, Redmond J. Barry, David Barry, John B. Shea and President John H. Y. Arnold, Excise Commissioners Edward T. Fitzpatrick and Joseph Koch, Civil Justices Peter Mitchell, Ambrose Monell, Joseph J. Fallon, Al- fred Steckler, Charles M. Clancy and Andrew J. Rogers, George Hall, James Fitzpatrick, Charles Steckler, John J. Scannel, Coroners Ferdinand Levy, Daniel Hanley, M. J. B. Messemer and Lonis W. Schultze, James Barker, Henry Bishoff, Jr , Ex-Senator George W. Plunkitt, Ex- Alder- men Peter Seery and Hugk F. Farrell, John H. J. Ronner, Thomas C. (VSnllivan, Daniel M. Done- gal!, Stephen J. O'Hare, John McCormack, Ser- geant Henry McKee, Henry C. Reilly, William L. Flack, Lawrence Delmonr, John J. McDonough, Water Purveyor William H. Burke, Jokn C. Munzinger, Norman Andrus, Bryan Henry, Jokn B. McGoldrick, C. Rastus Wilson, James H. Daly, William Lamb, Jr.. William J. Hill, Hugk Don- nelly, Demos L. Holmes, Jokn Skields, Judges Simon M, Ekrlick, Leicester Holmes, David Mc Adam, Michael T. Daly and Josepk 0. Davis. When the Sachems and Braves were seated, Grand Sachem James A. Flack, stepping to the Celebration, 1889. 16 front, rapped for order, and welcomed the guests of the Society, as follows : Brethren of the Tammany Society, and Fel- low Citizens : — The pleasure and pride which 1 have for some years felt as Grand Sachem of this Order, in opening the ceremonies attendant upon the celebration of our National Independence, is enhanced on this occasion by the feeling that we are here assembled, in addition, to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of our Society. This historic Order has witnessed the struggles and the triumphs of our country for one hundred years, and has participated in many of them. It is a proud reflection to believe that one hun- dred years heuce our descendants will be stand- ing within the venerated precincts of our Order, and celebrating the second Centennial of its exist- ence. We have here men from all sections of the country, who not only believe that the anniver- sary of our Independence should be celebrated, so as to keep alive the fires of patriotism amongst our people, but who are desirous of paying their tribute to the many great names that have illus- trated the century ofour Order's existence. 16 Tammany Society. This Society in its past can point to names more illustrious than any borne upon the rolls of any other Society extant in this country. Governors of States, United States Senators, Congressmen, and prominent citizens from every station in life are proudly borne upon its tablets I do not know that it is wise for me to further detain you from participation in the feast of reason which has been prepared for you by the committee in charge of these ceremonies, and I therefore, brethren and fellow citizens, bid you welcome within this tem- ple on this memorable day. After music by the band, the Tammany Glee ( 1 lub sang All Hail this Glorious Morn," a quartette, composed especially fur the occasion. Senator Jacob A. Cantor then read the Declara- tion of Independence, which was listened to with attention, and received with great applause. The Tammany Glee Club sang the quartette, u Columbia We Love Thee," after which Mrs. C. H. Clarke and Mrs. C. F. Anderson, sang the 44 Venetian Boat Song," which was received with loud and long applause. Grand Sachem Flack then introduced for the first long talk, Hon. AY. Bourke Cockran. The SECRETARY, TIIOS. E. CII.ROV. COMMISSIONER OF l'UHLIC WORKS, CITY OF NEW Celebration, 1889. 17 distinguished orator was greeted with hearty ap- plause and cheers. When order was restored he spoke as follows : Address of Hox. W. Bourke Cockran. Grand Sachems. Members and Guests of Our Society : — In celebrating the centennial an- niversary of the foundation of our Government we celebrated the triumph of an idea, the success of a principle, the vindication of justice, the demon- stration of popular capacity, popular virtue and popular patriotism. In celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of our Society, we celebrate the en- during strength; and triumph and vigor, of the most potent force which helped to mould our infant Government into a Democratic Republic, whose foundations are laid in popular virtue, and whose perpetuity must depend upon the patriot- ism and capacity of our citizens. In the success of this Government we behold the dream of the philosopher realized, the pretences of aristocracy refuted, the excuse for monarchy exploded, the dignity of the human race vindicat- ed, and liberty in its broadest sense made tin 4 birthright of mankind. (Applause ) During the past two months the history of our country and its future destiny have been discussed 18 Tammany Society. hj orators, by poets, and newspapers. Some have exulted in the boundless wealth which we have amassed; some, who fancied that they discovered a decay in popular spirit, bemoaned the deg- radation of this generation, while others pro- fessed to entertain gloomy apprehensions of the influence of corporate wealth upon the future of our Government. Now, if boundless wealth were our sole possession, we might well share the dismal apprehensions which seem to have tinged with funereal gloom the oratory of the late Centennial. Better the sterile rock and the sandy shore, better the bleak plain and the barren mountain, with freedom to act and think, to worship God according to conscience, to pursue such happiness as labor and virtue might attain, than the fairest fields and the richest pastures, the stateliest palaces and the wealthiest cities, where freedom is circumscribed and liberty is denied the sons of men. (Applause.) The spontaneous enthusiasm which robed this city in the emblems of joy two months ago, did not spring from the sense of gratification at the possession of mere substan- tial wealth. It was not based upon the conscious- ness that every man can here obtain bread through the richness of our soil and the generous bounty of our climate. It sprang from the grate- Celebration, 1889 . V.) ful souse of the people who felt that the Govern- ment whose continued existence they celebrated was theirs, theirs for good or evil, theirs to main- tain, improve or destroy, theirs to return a grate- ful and generous harvest for every political seed that might be sown, proving by all its strength and all its merits that the divine origin of power is not in the privilege of a class or the might of a king, but in the virtue, the intelligence, and the patriotism of an entire people. (Applause.) Confidence in popular capacity and popular virtue is the corner-stone of a free government, as it is the underlying principle upon which this So- ciety is founded. The motto which we display in a thousand places "Civil Liberty the Glory of Mankind,'' presupposes the capacity of the citi- zens to maintain their freedom and to enjoy its blessings. If under the inlluence of institutions which permit every man to acquire wealth and guarantee him security in its enjoyment, we have seen the desert reclaimed, the forest cleared, and the rivers and the lakes made the highway of a prosperous commerce, it is equally true that if corruption prevail amongst the people, liberty would become a blighting curse, subversive of order and paralizing to industry. (Applause.) This Society has been founded to protect demo- 20 Tammany Society. oratic institutions, because its founders believed that freedom was essential to universal happiness, that without it there can be neither prosperity nor content. The battle which this society has waged in. behalf of popular rights for a century is as old as civilization itself. Ever since men have dwelt together under social laws the measure of power that could be safely entrusted to the people has- been a burning and unsettled question among philosophers and statesmen. Some have insisted that all governmental power should be confined to the hands of those who were possessed of property and of education, while others con- tended that a single ruler would be under less temptation to oppress the people in order to- gratify his own avarice. The first believed in an aristocratic government, the latter in a monarchy. Both systems have been tried and both have failed. The framers of our Constitution rejected the aristocratic and monarchical principles, and founded a Republic. The growing intelligence of the people made that Republic a pure Democracy,, and if we are asked to describe the fruits of the experiment we may point to the vast expanse of our country and say with exultant pride. " Look around." In the sublime spectacle which will meet the eyes of our critics will be found the- SACHEM, W. BOURKE COCK RA X. Celebration, 1889. 21 answer to their question. They will behold abundance, order, liberty and content, laws dic- tated by public opinion and obeyed by universal consent; a million breasts ready to withstand an assault upon the Republic, a thousand hands out- stretched to seize an offender against her statutes, the soldiers of the Nation tilling the soil and directing the workshops, our streets unencum- bered by military uniforms or material of war, neither fortress nor arsenal casting its grim shadow across the fields, the home on the hill- side and the cottage in the valley, the bulwark of the Nation's safety, her security from domes- tic riot, the source from which hosts would issue at the bugle call of danger to defend her shores, to man her vessels, to repel invasion, to wipe out in the blood of her foes any insult that might be offered to her Hag. (Applause.) But it has been said that this generation is a degraded one. that the people have become aban- doned to sordid and ignoble aims. If this be true then the end of our Government is already in sight. A monarchy may be corrupt and it may survive for generations ; it may be oppressive and yet people will submit to it lor centuries, but in a Republic the absence of virtue means anar- chy. The exercise of extensive powers by a 22 Tammany Society. licentious populace breeds disorders immediate, immeasurable, irredeemable. There is not in his- tory an instance of decay in a popular govern- ment which has ever been arrested. Once en- tered upon the downward path the progress of a Republic to ruin is headlong, irresistable, inevita- ble. If, therefore, this generation of American citizens be corrupt, degraded and unpatriotic, government of the people, by the people, and for the people, is already an ignominious failure, whose final ruin may be delayed but cannot be averted. To any student of history it is impossible to fathom the reasons which have inspired the gloomy prophecies which have recently became abundant throughout the country. This is not a degenerate age. The Republic of 1889 is im- measurably superior to the Republic of 1789. in every moral, as well as in every material sense. Her people are better, and more en- lightened The generation which witnessed the organization of this Government, honored things which we despise, reverenced men whom we re- gard as infamous, submitted to exactions which to-day a million swords would leap from their scabbards to resent. You saw by the Declara- tion of Independence which has just been read, Celebration, 1889. 23 that the American Colonies did not revoll from the British Crown because they regarded monarchy an indefensible outrage upon the rights of the people. They submitted to royal arrogance un- til it took the form of oppression, such as has been described in the glowing words which you have heard, and which have become immor- tal in the history of nations. The American Colonist boasted of loyalty to a King. The Ameri- can Freeman would scorn to bend his knee to a worthless profligate because he happened to wear a band of gold around his brow. (Applause.) The Colonists for centuries reverenced Kings whom we would to-day confine in a penitentiary. Is it, indeed, a sign of decay that men prefer to live under institutions supported by their own valor and their own wisdom, and refuse to confer power upon any man except the officer chosen by their own suffrage ? Are they inferior to the men who boasted of loyalty to a King who quar- tered his mistress upon the public treasury and permitted prostitutes to traffic in the benefices of a church? Oh, no ! This is not a degraded or degenerate age. This is an age of progress, an age of liberty, and an age of enlightenment. The glory of this Republic is a robust manhood, which •encourages virtue and condemns indecency. 24 Tammany Society. which reverences law and despises the pomp and pageant which are the gewgaws of royal power. It may be that the absence of ceremony in a popular government should offend the sensibili- ties of those who think that virtue, like wealth, should be hereditary. In the very height of our Centennial celebration we heard the administra- tion of Andrew Jackson stigmatized as vulgar ; but to Democrats and christians it would seem as if the simplicity and sturdy integrity of that American President were immeasurably superior to the gilded court that surrounded George IV., which hailed him as the first gentleman of Europe, and treated as sacred the person of a forger, a thief, a bigamist, a liar, a scoundrel and a cheat- (Continued applause.) If it be vulgar to prefer decency and simplicity, virtue and integrity to plunder and villain}", royalty and profligacy, then, indeed, are the American people hope- lessly and virtuously vulgar. Now, fellow citi- zens, need we, in this Centennial year, entertain apprehensions from any source ? (A voice — "No.") The substantial success of our Repub- lic cannot be obscured by the words of the ignorant and the sneers of the thoughtless. Its glorious history confounds our enemies and re- futes their slanders. The prosperity of the peo- GRAM) SACHEM, JAMES A. FLACK. SHERIFF OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YOF Celebration, 1889, 25 pie, the universal obedience to law, the general content, the security of our public obligations, all attest the vitality of the Republic and the intel- ligence and patriotism of the people. We have heard that there is danger from pluto- cratic tendencies, danger from the growth of cor- porate influences, but these very fears which are professed are themselves the striking signs of an awakening of public opinion which will deal with this wisely and effectively as they have dealt with every danger which has arisen in the history of our country. (Applause.) It is the glory of this Nation that this government has always displayed a statesmanship of the common people which has surmounted every difficulty, solved every danger and embarrassment which has arisen in the path- way of our progress. History shows that this in- fant Republic was nurtured, tended and strength- ened by the wisdom of its citizens. We have seen its infancy beset by poverty and distress. To-day we behold it riding securely anchored in the strength of its citizens and in the respect of the civilized world. We have seeu it deal with every public question in a spirit of sincerity and justice, Which discarded the subtle traditions of foreign diplomacy and foreign statecraft and suppressed danger without leaving behind it the traces of dis- 26 Tammany Society. honor or of injustice. We have seen it while it was still young strong enough to resist aggression and repel invasion. As it grew we beheld it strengthen the bonds of union which at one time seemed ready to fall apart. We have seen it assert the sovereignty of the Government against open resistance in the field; we have seen it beat down the arms of secession; we have seen it scat- ter the forces of disunion; we have seen it march to security through smoking villages and burning towns, wasted fields and ruined homes; we have seen its victory complete and decisive without the stain of blood or without an act of vengeance; we have seen its conquering hand stayed in the hour of victory; we have never seen it fall in vengeance upon anyone. We have not conquered territory, but we have regained the hearts that became alienated from us. We have established a re-united nation, solved every financial difficulty that arose through a cruel and embarrassing war, and if to- day peril again menaced our shores, it would find the North and the South, not in hostile array, but shoulder to shoulder, ready to mingle their blood in one common stream in defence of their common country. (Prolonged applause.) No danger to our country can ever become serious while the power to repress it remains in Celebration, 1889 1 27 the hands of the people. Plutocracy, corporate aggression, can all be curbed, resisted and over- come while tlx 4 hand of the citizen is armed with the weapon of the ballot. (Applause.) To defend popular suffrage, to guard the integrity of the bal- lot, has been the mission of this Society, from which it has never swerved for a century. Its mission has been to preserve those features of popular government which have survived for a hundred years*, and if the Government is glorious, durable, invincible, then the merits of this Society stand established and demonstrated. It was or- ganized to withstand the insidious assaults of those who sought to give an aristocratic complexion to this Government. With the adoption of our Con- stitution the struggle between Aristocracy and Democracy had not been decided: it had only been pos1 poned. The friends of limited monarchy believed that in its actual operation the Constitu- tion would develop into a strongly centralized Government. They took confidence from the provisions which seemed to remove certain offi- cers from the control of the people. They en- couraged reverence for hereditary distinctions. Orders of nobility were prohibited by onr Consti- tution, but they sought to organize them outside of the law. The Society of the Cincinnati was 28 Tammany Society. founded, the membership of which was confined to the sons and descendants of the officers of the Revolutionary Army. The lurid flames of the French Revolution, which threatened to en- gulf and destroy all the social institutions of Europe, alarmed the timid and emboldened the Aristocrats. They declared that popular con- trol of the government meant the rule of the igno- rant and the vicious; and they asserted that dis- order and riot would be its baneful but inevitable fruit. The Executive assumed powers which were never contemplated by the States which had assented to the Constitution, and the enactment of the Alien and Sedition laws seemed to mark the beginning of a system which would make the President a virtual dictator, exercising arbitrary powers over the lives and liberties of the citizens. At that time, while the country seemed to be marching headlong towards a personal govern- ment, a few patriots determined that democratic institutions should not be destroyed without a vigorous resistance. They organized, one hundred years ago, this Society, that its principles might be the rock on which freedom should be built; that its meeting-place should be a beacon to the liberty- loving all over the land: that it should itself remain forever a temple of free discussion, lree SACHEM, JAMES J SLEVIN. REGISTER OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK . Celebration, 1889. 29 thought, and free government. They prescribed no test of membership other than an expression of devotion to Democratic principles, and a reso- lution to defend and protect a republican form of government. They organized in the month of May, but the society has always held its celebra- tion on the natal day of the Republic. It has al- ways labored to make that Constitution which was the outcome of the noble Declaration which lias been read upon this platform, and which has been read within hearing of the members of this Society on the 4th of July of every year for a century, the beginning of a government free and durable, just and strong, glorious and progressive, (applause), and we celebrate its Centennial Anniversary on the day which has always been sacred in its annals. Well may we feel that the contest which we have waged for one hundred years is still before us, and still unsettled. Well may we bind our- selves to protect the principles which were cher- ished by the founders of the Tammany Society. The danger to this Republic is not from any source which is usually described in public dis- cussion, ft comes from the unceasing and insidi- ous assaults of the rich and the powerful, those who distrust the people — upon the political privileges 30 Tammany Society. of the masses. Against that unceasing hostility this Society must ever stand, if she be true to her mis- sion. The hatred of the foes of popular govern- ment is hers by inheritance and by tradition. She was hated and reviled by the Federalist of the last century with the same vehemence with which she is abused and condemned by the Mugwump and the Republican of to-day. She has battled for liberty against assaults similar to those which we can discover in much of the projected legislation which is levelled against the integrity of the fran- chise and the power of the populace. Well may we resolve that upon the platform which she has built, and which she has never suffered to become impaired, during her existence, we will stand for all time to come, resolute in the assertion of our political faith. Her influence upon the destiny of this Govern- ment has been immeasurable. She was the fear- less, sleepless, implacable foe of the Federalist and of the aristocrat. She denounced and con- demned the Alien and Sedition laws. She braved the resentment of Adams, she supported and maintained the Democratic opinions of Jeffer- son. (Applause) She refused to be scared by the phantom of anarchy, firmly believing in the integrity arid capacity of the people. She un- Celebration, 1889. 31 furled the banner of Democracy to the breeze; shr stimulated, encouraged and inspired t lie hopes of the patriots, and in the election of 1800, she beheld the triumph of her principles and (he suc- cess of her labors. The inauguration of Thomas Jefferson settled forever the political complexion of this country. The growth of popular power in all the States, the extension of the franchise to every citizen, the choice of the Chief Executive by the direct vote of the populace, are all the direct and legitimate fruits of that decisive Demo- cratic victory won by Tammany Hall in that fierce contest, of winch she was the leading spirit, the guiding, the moving, the inspiring force to patriots throughout the country. (Applause) Fellow-Citizens, if the Federalist has despaired, if the aristocrat no longer professes his faith, let us remember what our achievements have been; let us preserve forever the rights which we have won. Look at our Constitution as it stands, and conceive what it was intended to be by its train- ers. The Constitution \\a^ but the frame-work of a Government. In operation it has become en- larged, modified and expanded. All its popular features remain undisturbed. Every barrier that it -ought to erect against popular power has been beaten into dust. Its representative branches 32 Tammany Society. remain to-day what its framers intended them to be. The Electoral College, which was intended to remove the President from the choice of the peo- ple, has shrunk into a mere recording instrument of the popular will. The President, whom it was intended to exalt be}^ond the necessity of cultivat- ing popular opinion, is to-day the most obedient servant of an electorate, composed of every citi- zen of the Republic. This democratization of our government is the labor of Tammany Hall. It is by this work and these fruits that it is to be judged. If the world is benefited by the growth of democracy and the spread of republican ideas, then may Tammany Hall claim to be the best as well as the oldest survival of all the forces that helped to wield this Government into a Demo- cratic Republic. (Applause.) The contest for liberty is with us still. The foes of free government are still active. Laws are every day proposed which, under the specious name of reform, are really levelled against, popu- lar sovereignty. The extension of the terms of executive officers is every day proposed. The control of the people over the public service is being steadily abridged. It has even been gravely suggested that the Ex-Presidents of the Republic should be made a privileged class, hold- Celebration, 1889. WW ing seats in the Semite and drawing salaries from the public treasury for life. Against all these inno- vations, Tammany Hall has always stood like a rock, and like a rock she will ever be found in the pathway of every person who seeks to assail the integrity of Democratic institutions. We will preserve our Government as it is; we will liber- alize it, and we will not tamely permit one tittle of popular power to be circumscribed or destroyed. This government is a government of the people just as good as popular intelligence can make it: suffering from every evil that may spring from popular vice. Judged by its fruits, it is the best and the noblest experiment that ever has been made in the management of public affairs, and as such we will preserve it as long as the Tam- many Society is permitted to exisl and flourish. That existence will continue if she be true to her mission unt il the fall ami end of the Republic itself. Abused and condemned she will always be. Abuse ami derision have always been the lot of the patriotic throughout the world. The French patriot who shattered a throne and with untutored hands defended his fields from lie- in- vading hosts of monarchical Europe was de- nounced as a Sans Cvfotte. The English citizen who vindicated the intelligence of Parliament was 34 Tammany Society. ridiculed as a Roundhead. The " Dutch burger ' who drove back into the sea the arrogance and pride of the Spanish invader, was stigmatized as a Beggar, and the Tammany patriot, who, to-day discharges all his political duties with fervor and enthusiasm is denounced as an enemy to society. But misrepresentation and abuse have never been able to withstand the onward march of progress- ive and triumphant Democracy. (Applause.) It will not avail to swerve this Society for one hour from the aim which is ever before the eyes of her sons. She exults in the hatred of her enemies as she does in the loyal affections of the Democratic hosts whose valor has preserved the Republic, whose patriotism has saved it in its crises, and upon whose virtue and capacity its perpetuity must de- pend. A hundred years have passed over her head, and though the skies have often been cloudy, though the winds of opposition have blown against her, though the storm of abuse and detraction has rained upon her, her foundations are stronger, her walls are firmer, her air is purer, her strength is greater in this hour of her Jubilee and her Centennial, than it has ever been in the whole century of her existence. (Applause.) Liberty is the precious heritage of the Ameri- can citizen. As the most valuable of his posses- Celebration, 1889, :s5 sions it is the one most Likely to be invaded and assailed. Secure from foreign aggression, safe from domestic disturbance, the foes of popular government are ever active and are unceasing in their efforts to undermine the foundation of popu- lar government. To-day when we celebrate the strength winch has enabled us to survive for a hundred years, we look down the long vista of history and behold this old Society ever in the van of Democratic progress, ever cheering American patriotism in days of darkness and of gloom. When a foreign invader was marching through our highways and Bring our public build- ings, when patriotism was disheartened and skulk- ing, treason became emboldened to emerge from its hiding place and even to meet in convention, we behold in the dim past this old Society, with men and money, by word and deed, stimulating, strengthening, maintaining the national resistance to foreign aggression, never relaxing in its labors until our soil was redeemed from the pollution of the foreign foe, and the pride and power of Great Britain were humbled in the dust before the in- vincible valor of Andrew Jackson at New Orleans. Well may we feel that this is the day upon which to form a rigid resolution never in the future to relax our watch over the joints of our National 36 Tammany Society. armor, never to leave the ramparts of liberty un- manned. Every assault upon popular government should be withstood, every attempt to exalt exe- cutive offices beyond the control of the people should be defeated and condemned. In defending the integrity of Democratic institutions, in guard- ing the security of our Republic, in resisting every centralizing change and influence, in defeating every illiberal and undemocratic change of our law, we strengthen the foundations of the Repub- lic, we make of this Society the gateway of pro- gress, the bulwark of order, the guardian spirit of those Democratic institutions which recognize the truth and force of our motto — " Civil Liberty, the Glory of Mankind. (Prolonged cheering.) After the band had rendered several popular airs, Grand Sachem James A. Flack introduced United States Senator James B. Eustis, of Louisi- ana, for the second long talk. Senator Eustis was received with great applause. He said : Address of U. S. Senator, James B. Eustis. Fellow Citizens : When we celebrate the cen- tennial of the establishment of our government and of your society, we may say that we cele- brate the centennial of the Democratic Party. Celebration, 1889. 37 Our government has no history apart from the history of the Democratic party. Their relations have been so closely interwoven that they have a common fame and a common destiny. Other parties have sprung into being and have dis- appeared. Other parties have sought to establish a permanent foothold in the affections and con- fidence of the people, but the Democratic party alone can boast that its creation was coeval almost with the foundation of the government, and that to-day, after an existence of nearly one hundred years, its supporters constitute a large majority of the voters in this country, as was shown at the last presidential election. Our opponents have always been perplexed to understand how it is that the Democratic party has survived the vicissitudes of political fluctua- tions, has withstood the shock of more than twenty presidential battles, has never disbanded its organization in the face of crashing defeats, and is to-day more compact, numerically stronger, more determined, aggressive, defiant and sanguine than ever. During its phenomenal career, with all its dissensions and schisms, it has never felt the terror of approaching death. No party will ever live to write its epitaph. As by the power of its irresistible earnestness it destroyed the 38 Tammany Society. Federalist, the Whig and the Know-Nothing parties, so it will, ultimately, dislodge and de- stroy the Republican party. The reason why the Democratic party has, during such a long period, continued to command the confidence and support of such a large follow- ing is plainly manifest. It represents the true principles of popular, representative, consti- tutional government, and is the only party which lias ever existed in this country that is honestly in close sympathy with the interests and aspira- tions of the great masses of the people. All its measures, policies, methods and practices re- present popular sentiment and popular behests. State rights and federal rights each within their proper sphere, each within the limitations desig- nated by the States in the Federal Constitution, represent the fundamental Democratic faith. It is the only party that has ever shown its unreserved and absolute confidence in the capacity of the people for self-government. Its first great con- tention was with the Federalist party. That party represented the aristocratic, monocratic monarchical tendencies of that period. It dis- trusted popular government, and felt no con- fidence in the stability of republican institu- tions. It looked upon our representative, con- Celebration, 1889. 30 stitutional government as an experiment which they were willing to attempt, but which they believed would result in disastrous failure. They looked upon the popular uprising in republican France with horror, and felt an ill- concealed yearning for English aristocracy and monarchical institutions. At this crisis the republic was in serious danger, but, fortunately, the Democracy furnished a leader wdio understood the sympathies and designs of this aristocratic party. Thomas Jefferson, the greatest tribune of the people this country lias ever produced, aroused the masses of the people to a realizing sense of the danger threatening their liberties, and by his audacious and sagacious leadership destroyed the Federalist party. But Federalism has never been wholly eradi- cated in this country. Its poisonous germs of distrust of popular government still linger in the infected household of the Republican party. The overthrow of the Federalist party by the triumph- ant Democracy is a noted epoch in the history of our party. From lather to son its proud tradi- tions have been handed down, and its lessons have taken deep root in the popular mind. This first victory of the masses of the people is bearing fruit to-day: and it is not surprising that Thomas 40 Tammany Society. J efferson s memory is idolized by that great army of Democratic voters who have inherited the prin- ciples which guided him in that memorable struggle. Discarding the most vicious tenets of the Federalist party, the Whig party appeared in the political arena to challenge the Democratic party upon the issue of economic questions then agitating the country. It was well equipped for the combat, being led by some of the ablest statesmen of that day. Its leaders were Clay, Webster and Clayton. It boasted of its respect- ability and maintained its pretentions against the Democratic party with consummate ability. It considered the Democratic party as a mob, a multitudinous rabble led by unscrupulous dema- gogues. One of its few presidential successes was by reason of the military fame of its nominee, General Taylor, who had won his laurels in the Mexican war, which was a Democratic measure bitterly opposed by the Whig party. The cause of its repeated defeats was that, unlike the Demo- cratic party, it was never in sympathy with the masses of the people ; it never advocated measures to promote the interests of the poorer classes ; it was indifferent to popular aspirations, and scornful of popular mandates ; in other words, it had no confidence in the rightfulness and capacity of the people to govern themselves. SACHEM, BERNARD F. MARTIN Celebration, 1889. 41 It has always been the mission of the Demo- cratic party to protect the people against the overshadowing influence and dangerous predomi- nance of the money power. Our party has never sought to array classes against classes, which was a favorite scheme of the ancient Demo- cracies, and Led to their destruction. The Demo- cratic party has never waged war against wealth. It is only when wealth has been misused, has sought to establish its political ascendency, to con- trol the Government; to imperil the liberties of the people, to corrupt the citizen, to undermine public morality, that the Democratic party has marshaled its hosts to battle against the greatest danger that can threaten the republic. History teaches that a government can survive the cor- ruption of leader-, but a popular government can never survive the corruption of the people. You will remember the serious contest, presenting this issue, between the Democratic and the Whig- parties. I refer to the attempted re-charter of the United States Bank under the Administration of Andrew Jackson. Thai corporation through its money power, undertook to control the (Jov- ernment. Its methods of corruption were not as audacious and shameless as those exhibited by the combination of manufacturers at the las! presiden- 42 Tammany Society. tial election. It did not, as they did, unblushingly advertise their deliberate purpose to purchase a presidential election. Its prostitution of popular suffrage was not so glaring as to invite the stern denunciation of its own supporters. Judges of courts, ministers of the Gospel, men of all classes, irrespective of party, did not feel called upon to denounce in scathing terms this political debauch- ery, which has shocked the conscience of the American people. Still the United States Bank presented the same danger, and defied the masses of the people with the same arrogance, and used the same threats as were heard at the last presi- dential election. The people were to be forced to obey the money power. They were to be cor- rupted for the benefit of the richer class. Jack- son and Benton led the Democratic party. They throttiled that monster political machine, the United States Bank, overthrew the money power, saved the liberties of the people, and the Whig party retired from the field demoralized, dis- mayed and defeated. In a single campaign the Democratic party destroyed the Know-Nothing party. The Demo- cratic party has never tolerated any discrimina- tion against our foreign-born citizens. Welcomed to our shores to share our citizenship, invited to Celebration, hSS!i. 43 share our destiny, the Democratic party has always sought to establish between them and native citizens a common American brotherhood. When their rights as American citizens have been assailed, at home or abroad, the Democratic party has never failed to vindicate their rights to equal protection. It was a Democratic Secretary of State, William L. Marcy of New York, who in 1853 sent a dispatch touching the rights of foreign-born citizens, that startled every throne in Europe. The Republican party of to-day professes friendship for our foreign-born citizen-, but its record of Federalist and Whig ancestry and Know-Nothing affiliation betray its insincerity. If you scratch a prominent Republican, you will find either a Federalist, a blue-blooded Whig, a rank Know-Nothing, a disbeliever in the capacity of the people for self-government or a worship- per of the aristocracy of wealth. Two events in the history of the Democratic party should not pass unnoticed: one is the con- tribution to the wealth, power and prosperity of our country, by its acquisition of territory, the other is its efforts since the war to extinguish sec- tionalism in our politics. Before the meeting of the next Congress, we will have forty-two States in the Union; that is. we shall have added to the 44 Tammany Society. thirteen original States twenty-nine new States. Familiar as you are with the history of our coun- try, you can conceive in a moment what additional power, wealth, population and prosperity the -acquisition of this vast domain formed into States represents. Almost every foot of that imperial domain West of the Alleghanies was secured to the Government by Democratic statesmanship. Jefferson carried in person to the Confederate Congress the cession from Virginia of the North- western territory, and is the author of the ordi- nance of 1787, which provided for the formation of five States. Without this concession there would have been no union of the States. Jefferson, when President, acquired the Prov- ince of Louisiana, which to-day is represented In- states and territories from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canada line, including the Mississippi river. At the time that a Democratic administration was securing to the people this empire, the Fed- eralists in New England, in public meetings, were denouncing this acquisition, because the admission of new states meant a diminution of their power. The Mexican war gave us Texas and our Paci- fic possessions. This was a Democratic measure strongly opposed by the Whig party. Imagine this immense territory to-day under the dominion SACHEM, JOHN McQUADE. Celebration, 1889, 45 of England, France. Spain and Mexico, as it would be if the Democratic party, in spite of the opposition, had not acquired it, and yon can form some estimate of what our country would be com- pared to what it is. Alaska, which cost one-half of what Jefferson paid for the Province of Louisiana, was ac- quired by the Republican party. This I mention to give that party of progress due credit for its contribution to the wealth, greatness and power of our country by its acquisition of territory. The Democratic party, although defeated at the last election looks to the future with absolute con- fidence. Its conviction it avows with courage; its purposes and aims it proclaims with frankness. It advocates as in the past, measures which will pro- mote the interests of the people. Its record is unstained by either the theft or the purchase of tli«' Presidency. Jt scorns to obtain power by deceiving and corrupting the people. It does not rely upon sectional animosities to sustain its vitality. Rejoicing in a re-united country it seeks to bring the people in closer bonds of American fra- ternity. It appeals to the prejudices and pas- sions of no section. Ever watchful of the peo- ple's rights and interests, it will cease to exist 46 Tammany Society. only when our Government shall perish, and when that dire day shall come, this epitaph for both will be written by sweeping liberty: Com- munis fama, communis mors. 11 Mrs. C. H. Clarke and Mrs. C. F. Anderson sang a duett entitled 4i Estudiantina," Matilda Scott Paine accompanying them on the piano. The duett was finely rendered, and the efforts of the ladies rewarded by a double encore. Secretary Thomas F. Gilroy being called away. John B. McGroldrick read letters received from distinguished Democrats, which will be found printed in full in the back part of this book. Grand Sachem James A. Flack then introduced Hon. B. T. Biggs, Governor of Delaware, for a short talk. Governor Biggs is a tall, spare, elderly gentle- man, with long white hair, a keen, intellectual face, and eyes that flashed the alternating enthusiasm and humor of his address, opened the short talks. He reiterated and intensified the high meed of praise which Senator Eustis had paid to Tammany. He conveyed an optimistic view of the political situation, predicted democratic Celebration, ISM. 47 success in '92, and said no matter who the Demo- cratic party nominated for that contest, little Delaware would be in line and support him. But, he continued, " Our next candidate must of a cer- tainty come from New York — that New York without which there is no America. " Governor Biggs has no use for Republicans, for "trimmers" for Mugwumps or for Civil Service. As long as the two great parties are evenly divided, he says that there are brains enough in either to till all the places, and that when the people choose their party at an election their voice is not for the leader alone, but for the followers. He described the "boodle method." as he called it, which gave Delaware an " acciden- tal " Republican senator, but promised faithfully that it would be their last offence in that direction. Governor Biggs made as good an impression on the braves of Tammany in his " short talk " as he did upon the thousands who watched him ride at the head of the vast civic parade during the great Inaugural Centennial, and he was cheered to the echo. Following him came Governor C. W. Wilson, Of West V irginia, a tall, slightly built man, under the middle age, with high forehead, keen blue eyes 48 Tammany Society. and a heavy brown mustache. He is a vehement speaker. His address was logical, scholarly and very eloquent: he traced the history of the two parties down from the adoption of the Constitution to the present time. He showed the consistenc}* of Democracy in its opposition to aristocratic and centralization tendencies of the Federalists, Whigs, Know-No things and Republicans — different names for practically the same party, with the same principles and the same beliefs. Governor Wilson believes that there is danger in the moneyed power. " Gentlemen," he said. "I believe that there is a great deal of damnable rascality in this country. I believe there is danger in money when it is used as a means to corrupt the votes of the people. That is the danger that confronts the Democracy to-day. It is the danger which confronts the American people to-day. and which we must make preparations to tight in future contests. Governor Wilson won many friends by his speech and by his manner, and at the close of the exercises both he and Governor Biggs had a throng of prominent Democrats gathering around them to offer their congratulations. SACHEM, JOHN COCHRANE. Celebration, 1889, 40 Congressman B. F. Shively of Indiana, a tall, broad-shouldered, handsome, young man, with black hair and mustache, closed the short talks with a five minutes speech, in which he paid trib- ute to Tammany, or the place she held in the his- tory of the Democratic organization, and reiter- ated the principles of his partj as enunciated by the previous speakers. It was nearly two o'clock, and the audience had been in their seats since half-past ten and after the Glee Club had sung ' The Sword of Bunker Hill." and Mrs. Anderson had rendered the 4 * Star Spangled Banner," in the chorus of which all joined, and the Glee Club had rendered "Cen- tennial." Grand Sachem Flack closed the pro- gramme. " Centennial " was an original poem by J. Monroe Anderson, written for the occasion. The Grand Sachem invited everybody down into the ' cave," as the basement of Tammany is known, to partake of refreshments. Long tables Idled the basement rooms loaded down with sand- wiches, salads, cold meats, fruits, etc., and do1 until nearly five o'clock was the banquet hall deserted and the lull history <>l' Tammany's Cen- tennial ready 1<> be spread on the pages of her history. Celebration, 1889. 51 Eeplies to Invitations. 45 William Street, New York, June 28, 1889. Hon. James A. Flack, Grand Sachem : Dear Sir : — I am sorry that I have already settled upon plans, which will prevent me from joining in the Celebration, by the Tammany Society, of the One Hun- dred and Thirteenth Anniversary of American Indepen- dence, and the Centennial of the Tammany Society's Foundation. Every patriotic American should rejoice that the Cele- bration of the Fourth of July is still engaged in with zest and enthusiasm, and that lapse of time does not efface the appreciation of the stupendous fact which this Celebration commemorates. And now that our country's success and growth tend to demonstrate that the freedom of man can be safely trusted as the basis of a beneficent government, and 52 Tammany Society. that the will of the people, if freely and intelligently ex- ercised, promises the greatest national welfare and hap- piness, our zeal and enthusiasm should be supple- mented by calm confidence and sincere congratulation. But in the midst of all our rejoicing, and notwith- standing our contented faith in free institutions, we should never forget that the price of these free institu- tions is eternal vigilance and care. Beneath every other sentiment there should exist a determination that individual liberty, as claimed by the Fathers of our He- public, shall in no manner be endangered, and that the will of the people shall in no manner be betrayed. Congratulate ourselves as we may in our pride of American citizenship, and boast as we may in our safe- ty, there are still and constantly enemies to be met and vanquished if the Celebration of the Fourth of July is always to stand for wholesome freedom and rightly- directed popular will. All encroachments of selfish interests and the stealthy advance of every corrupting influence, must be met and exposed if our people are to enjoy the highest benefits of their established insti- tutions. In this endeavor the Tammany Society, with its tra- ditions of one hundred years, with its memories of distinguished and illustrious membership, and with its time-honored and beneficent principles, will continue to be a powerful instrumentality. By its adherence to the purposes of its establishment, it will still continue to shield the people from error and misrepresentation, to champion the cause of the weak, who are right, against the strong, who are wrong, and to strongly aid in maintaining the true spirit of American institutions. Yours very truly, GKOYEK CLEVELAND. SACHEM, THOMAS L. FEITNER. Celebration, 1889. 53 Executive Mansion, Albany, N. Y., Juno 25, 1889. Dear Sir : — I have received with pleasure your letter of recent date, conveying to me, on behalf of the Tam- many Society of New York City, an invitation to attend and address its Celebration of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of American Independence, and the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of your Society, on July 4th, next. The courtesy of your invita- tion is greatly appreciated, and it would afford me much gratification to be present. I regret, however, that other engagements already made for July, compel me to deprive myself of that pleasure, and to content myself with a most cordial expression of my interest in the success of your Society, and in the hope that its pres- ent Celebration of the Anniversary of American Inde- pendence may surpass all others, which have occurred in the memorable history of your Order. I remain, Very truly yours, DAVID B. HILL, Governor of New York. State of Maryland, Executive Department, Annapolis, June 18, 1889. Dear Sir : — I am just in receipt of your kind invita- tion to attend the Celebration by the Tammany Society of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of American Independence at Tammany Hall, on the com- ing Fourth day of July. I know of nothing that would afford me more pleas- 54 Tammany Society. ure than to attend your anniversary, but an engagement of long standing will prevent. With my best wishes for the success of your Society arid that it may live to celebrate many centennial anni- versaries of its foundation. I have the honor, etc., E. E. JACKSON, Governor of Maryland. State of Tennessee, Adjutant General's Office, Nashville, June 14, 1889. Dear Sir : —Expressing profoundest acknowledgment of your honorable invitation to be pressent and address your Society on the Fourth of July, I regret also to be compelled to state my inability to accept. Tammany winds up its hundred years with a glorious record. The history of the wonderful achievements »of Democracy is the history of Tammany — the most po- tent factor in their accomplishment. The da}^ that marks the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of American Independence, and the One Hundredth recur- rence of the Birthday of Tammany, finds the land that was a wilderness then the most prosperous section on earth now, and the principles that were then born and have been so well maintained by Tammany have re- sulted in the emancipation of millions and are destined to prevail universally until all the nations shall be free ; and that day will find Democracy stronger and abler than ever to carry out the great scheme of political re- demption for which God sent it into the world. Congratulating you and your Honorable Society on Celebration, 1889. 55 its glorious past* and the more glorious promise of its future, I beg to subscribe myself, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, ROBT. L. TAYLOR, Governor of Tennessee. State of North Carolina, Executive Department, Raleigh, N. C, June 15, 1889. Dear Sir : — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of an invitation to be present at the celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of Tammany Society, on the Fourth of July. I appreciate very highly, sir, the honor of receiving an invitation from so distinguished an Order, and regret that my official presence in Philadelphia at that time will prevent me from accepting your kind invitation. I have the honor to be, Yours, very respectfully, DAN'L G. FOWLE, Governor of North Carolina. Commonwealth of Virginia, Governor's Office, Richmond, Va., June 15, 1889. Dear Sir : — I have the honor to acknowledge the re- ceipt of the invitation of your committee to attend and deliver an address at the Centennial Anniversary of the founding of your Society, which takes place in Tam- many Hall, on the Fourth of July next. 56 Tammany Society. I regret that a prior engagement for * that clay, which cannot be set aside, will prevent my being present upon such an interesting occasion. In compliance with your request, I send an expres- sion of my views in connection with the event you cele- brate : The roots of the tree of liberty jDlanted one hundred and thirteen years ago, whose branches overspread to- day a united Republic, are not more firm than the foun- dation of the rock upon which Tammany has been erected. FJTZHUGH LEE, Governor of Virginia. State of Louisiana, Governor's Office. Baton Rouge, La., June 26, 1889. Dear Sir : — I have the honor to acknowledge receipt or your invitation to attend the Celebration of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of American Inde- pendence, and Centennial Aimiversary of the Founding of the Tammany Society or Columbian Order, which will take place on the Fourth day of July next, in Tammany Hall, city of New York, at 10 o'clock, A.M. For your flattering invitation you will please accept my most cor- dial thanks. I sincerely regret that my official business will pre- vent me from absenting myself from this State, and par- ticipating in the celebration of the day. I am, very respectfully. Your obedient servant, FRANCIS T. NICHOLLS, Governor of Louisiana. SACHEM, CHARLES M. CLANCY. Celebration, 1880. State of Alabama, Executive Department, Office of the Governor, Montgomery, Ala., June 24, 1889. Dear Sir : — I am in receipt of your highly courteous favor inviting me, on the part of Tammany Society, to be present at its Celebration of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of American Independence, and the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of your Organization, on the Fourth of July next. I very much regret that 1113' official engagements will prevent my acceptance of the invitation extended, and I the more especially regret this, as the celebration is to be so memorable in the history of your Society. Wishing you a successful celebration and a long career of usefulness for your great and historic Society, I am, Sir, with high esteem, Yours very truly, THOS. SEAY, Governor of Alabama. State of Oregon, Executive Department, Salem, Ore., June 18, 1889. Dear Sir : — lam in receipt of your invitation to be present at the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of your Society, which is to be held on the ensuing Fourth of July. While thanking you kindly, lam compelled to state that the demand of both official and private duties will preclude its acceptance. 1 must, however, be per- mitted to express the hope that your organization, which, during all its past existence, lias been a tribune 58 Tammany Society. of the common people of this country, may, for all com- ing time, stand as a formidable bulwark in defence of their rights and interest against the encroachments of plutocratic power. Very respectfully, SYLVESTEK PENNOYEK, Governor ot Oregon. Executive Office, Tallahassee, Fla., June 29, 1889. Dear Sir : — I beg to acknowledge and extend my thanks for the kind invitation of your Society to attend and address a meeting to be held at Tammany Hall, on the 4th of July next, at 10 o'clock, A. M., to celebrate the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of Amer- ican Independence, and the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of the Tammany Society, or Columbian Order. I regret exceedingly that my official duties, as well as a previous engagement in this State, will prevent my acceptance of the invitation so kindly extended. The Founding of the Tammany Society on the Anni- versary of the promulgation of the Declaration of Inde- pendence would appear eminently appreciate, when we consider that Thomas Jefferson, the author of that great Charter of Liberty, who attained to the highest pinnacle of American statesmanship, was also the Founder of the Democratic Party, the adherence to whose principles, it appeared to that great man, would best preserve the liberties which had been secured by a great sacrifice of blood and treasure, during seven years of war. Those principles have ever been in ad- vocacy of the best methods of preserving the liberties Celebration, 1889. 59 of the American people, and in opposition to the cen- tralization of power further than is necessary to insure our protection, and the upholding of the dignity of the National Government. As unjust taxation was the cause that precipitated the rupture with the mother country, the Democratic Party has ever opposed the taxation of the people, directly or indirectly, beyond the necessities of the Government honestly and economi- cally administered. Permit me to express the hope that the Centennial Anniversary of the Tammany Society, and the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of American In- dependence, may be an occasion of pleasure and profit to all who may have the pleasure of participating therein; and the Society may ever continue to be the exponent of the true principles of Democracy, and a potent factor in the preservation of American liberty. Again thanking you for your kind invitation, I am. Very respectfully yours, FRANCIS P. FLEMING, Governor of Florida. Indianapolis, Ind., June 20, 1889. Dear Sir : — I regret that I cannot upon account of home engagements accept your very courteous invita- tion for the Fourth of July, next. I trust that the Cen- tennial of your venerable Society, so nearly coincident as it is with that of the foundation of the Federal Gov- ernment, may be commemorated in such manner as may gratify the wishes of the true friends of both. Very respectfully yours, 1). TlKl'IK, U. S. Senator from Indiana. 60 Tammany Society. United States Senate. Washington, D. C, June 18, 1889. Dear Sir : — I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of invitation to be present at the Celebration of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of American Independence, and the Centennial Anniversary of the Tammany Society, at Tammany Hall, at 10 o'clock, A. M., on the Fourth of July, and regret to say that my engagements are such as to compel me to deny myself the pleasure of attending. Respectfully, ISHAM G. HARRIS, U. S. Senator from Tennessee. United States Senate, Washington, D. O, June 25, 1889. Dear Sir : — I deeply regret it will be impossible lor me to accept your invitation to attend, and address the Tammany Society, in Tammany Hall, July 4th, in Celebration of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anni- versary of American Independence, and the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of your ancient Order. The celebration of events memorable in the history of our country, and in the establishment, development, and maintenance of American Liberty, should awaken, and, doubtless, does awaken in the hearts of the peo- ple, a more fervent and unselfish patriotism, a clearer perception of the value of their Institutions, and a spirit of concord and union rising above the ambitions, the greeds, and the hostilities of classes and sections. Our Forefathers intended to preserve the balance of power on this Continent not by Holy Alliances, grasp- ing coalitions, and wars of subjugation, as in Europe, SACHEM, JOEL 0. STEVENS. \ Celebration, 1889. CI but by restraining the strong, by curbing the ambitions of the more populous and powerful sections for domin- ion, and by raising up guarantees in the limitations of the Constitution itself to shield and protect the weaker States and Communities, giving to them full and equal representation. Other Nations enjoy, as we do, National Unity and independence, wealth, power, dominion, and the high- est civilization — but their systems rest upon standing armies, and a denial of the rights of men, while the vast sums taken by taxation from the earnings of labor are dedicated, not to the general welfare, but to the sup- port of special classes and orders. We differ from them in one respect, only : Our Forefathers founded these Institutions of Liberty upon the Federative principle, and when this principle, and its wide and full applica- tion, shall have been destroyed, the only difference be- tween American and European Liberty will have dis- appeared. With the triumph of Centralization will, and must come taxation, and privileges for the Few ; standing armies, the reign of an irresponsible Bureau- cracy with the absorption of all power at Washington, unlimited and widespread extravagance and corruption, the installation of a dynasty of Plutocracy, and of Cor- porate Power, and all the institutions, and instrumen- talities appropriate to such a system. Are not trans- formations going on and have not events already oc- curred that foreshadow these direful results? So steady and aggressive have these tendencies become — the transfer of power from the Many into the hands of the Few — that it is seriously proposed, in certain quar- ters, upon the old and the exploded plea of the incapaci- ty of the people for self-government, and Home rule, to take away their control over elections in their sev- eral communities for their Public servants at Washing- 62 Tammany Society. ton, and even for State and Municipal officers, and to lodge this tremendous power exclusively in the central authority at Washington. Such elections will not ex- press the free and independent will of the people of the country, but will merely register the decrees of the King-Caucus of the Party of the majority in Congress — the Party in power at Washington. I regard the Democratic party as the only safeguard against these encroachments of the office-holding class> backed by the organized wealth of the ambitious mono- polists of privileges and powers, who are bent upon erecting the monarchical systems of the Old World upon the ruins of the simple and economical govern- ment of the People, and for the People, and by the People, founded by our ancestors. I salute the brave Democracy of the Empire State L I trust that its ranks may be filled by the young men just entering life, who, free from old prejudices and passions, will appreciate the true Federative principles of our Government, and cherish the maxims upon which our American system is founded, and which were illustrated by the lives and services of Washington and Jefferson, and of which your own noble chiefs, Seymour and Tilden, were devoted adherents. Faithfully yours, E. L. GIBSON, U. S. Senator from Louisiana. Palestine, Texas, June 22, 1889. Dear Sir : — I am in receipt of the invitation by the Committee of the Tammany Society to be present at their hall, at 10 o'clock on the morning of July 4th, to Celebrate the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of American Independence, and the Centennial Anniver- Celebration, hs.su. 63 sary of the Founding of that Society, with a request that I address the meeting on that occasion. I have long cherished the greatest respect for the Tammany Society, because it has seemed to me that its labors have been designated to perpetuate the princi- ples on which our government was founded, and thereby to assure to the people of the United States liberty and independence. When sound political princi- ples have been in greatest danger of overthrow, that Society has borne and protected the principles of the Constitution as the Ark of the Covenant of political and religious freedom. The government has for more than twenty years, by class legislation, been steadily drifting into the centralization of all political power at Washing- ton, and to the building up of American aristocracy. If this policy shall go on to success, it must overthrow our constitutional system of government and destroy ultimately the hopes and happiness of the great mass of the American people. I earnestly hope and I think, judging by the past, we may indulge the belief that the Tammany Society will exert its great influence to arrest the progress of centralization, defeat further class legislation, reverse the dangers of the establishment of an American aristocracy, by the repeal of such laws as establish a civil list of those who are to draw pay for life from the earnings of others. Very truly and respectfully, JOHN II. REAGAN, U. S. Senator from Texas. Yonkkks, X. V., June 15, 18SD. Deaii Sir: — I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your invitation for the Fourth of July celebration in Tammany Hall ; and in sending my regrets at this early '64 Tammany Society. date, I do so very reluctantly, but from necessity, as it is my purpose to sail for Europe during the present month. "Wishing you and the Society every success, I am, gentlemen, Yours sincerely, W. G. STAHLNECKER, Member of Congress from New York. House of Representatives, Washington, June 15, 1889. Dear Sir : — I have your invitation to attend the Tammany Celebration, and take the occasion to express my thanks for your remembering me for such a patriotic celebration. The year '89 is significant in many ways. It is the year of the Constitution. It is the year when our gov- ernment was inaugurated. It is the year when Republi- canism in France started into life and gave vigor to those ideas which had been dormant in the old world for centuries, but which our own Revolution energized into deeds. The One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of our Independence is a centenary for many of the highest objects connected with our own system of government, and not the least among these interesting centennial objects in which we take a patriotic pride, is the addi- tion of four States to our Union, and, therefore, four more stars to our flag! I shall not be able to be with you at your Celebra- tion, having an engagement with the morning star of the new century, in Dakota, upon that day. With best wishes for a good old-fashioned Demo- Celebration, 1889. 65 cratic celebration, and with a hope that our party may reascend to federal power, I am, yours truly, S. S. COX, Member of Congress from New York. Philadelphia, Pa., July 2, 1880. Dear Sir : — I thank you for your courteous invita- tion to attend the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of the Tammany Society. It will be impos- sible for me to be present on the occasion. I shall be glad, however, at an} r and at all times, to join in everj movement more thoroughly to bring forward and put into action the true Democratic principles of Thomas Jefferson announced in the Declaration of Independence and carried out in his administration of the Govern- ment, and which later on were enforced with so much vigor during the administration of Andrew Jackson. Yours very respectfully, SAMUEL J. 11AXDALL, Member of Congress from Pennsylvania. Erie, Pa., June 2G, 1889. Dear Sir : — I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your invitation to be present on the 4th proximo, to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of the Tammany Society, and the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anni- versary of American Independence. I regret my inability to be with you on such an in- teresting occasion. As the oldest Democratic Society of our country, with names associated with it of states- 66 Tammany Society. men, illustrious for their services to Democratic princi- ples and Constitutional Government, Democrats all over our country take a deep interest in seeing your Society, the bulwark of Democracy, steadfast in the true faith and ever advocating honest and pure govern- ment in the interests of the people. With such principles and policies faithfully adhered to and followed, the Columbian Order cannot fail to be- come a beacon and an inspiration to all true Demo- crats, and that it may live to celebrate the second Cen- tennial of its founding, is the sincere wish of Your obedient servant, WILLIAM L. SCOTT. Member of Congress from Pennsylvania. Easton, Md., June 29, 1889. Dear Sir : — I have the honor of your favor of the 9th inst., inviting me to attend the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of the Tammany Society, on the Fourth of July next. I have purposely delayed my reply to your invitation until this time, hoping to be able to announce my acceptance. I feel, however, much to my regret, that the exigencies of my affairs at home will compel me to decline. I am particularly sorry that this should be so, as I know of no occasion upon which it would delight me more to testify by my personal presence to my devotion to the principles so fearlessly defended and so success- fully maintained by your glorious Society. While unable then to gratify myself, I beg leave to tender to Tammany my best wishes. May she in the years to come find still more enlarged opportunities for usefulness and greatness ; and may the next Centen- Celebration, IXM>. 07 nial, a hundred years hence, find her still dispensing the choicest blessings of liberty, of law, and of order, as she has so triumphantly done in the years that crown her now. Sincerely yours, CHAS. H. GIBSON, Member of Congress from Maryland. Montgomery, Ala., June 25, 1889. DEAE Sir : — I have the honor to acknowledge your invitation to be present and address the meeting on the Fourth of July next, intended to celebrate the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of American In- dependence, and the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of your Democratic Society ; and I most sincerely regret that my engagements will not permit me to attend. We date the origin of the United States from the Declaration of our Independence, but that declaration was only the corner-stone of the Union ; the super- structure, the Government under which we live, the Government that has stood the tempest of the mighti- est civil war in history, and now stands for the so grandly beautiful among the nations of the earth, was founded nearly thirteen years afterwards. It was the crowning work of the crowning struggle for liberty — a struggle that had been protracted through centuries. Panegyric has exhausted itself in praise of those who framed the Constitution of that Government. They were indeed the wisest body of men that ever assem- bled ; yet they never could have "struck off," as Mr. Gladstone put it, that instrument " in a given time " had not that Providence, who overrules the destinies <>f' na- 68 Tammany Society. tions, laid bare before their eyes the work they were to- do and brought them, by successive steps, to its con- summation. The thirteen Colonies, nurtured and trained, each of them in the love of liberty, came together and fought the battles of the Revolution that they might secure the right of local self-government. Every line and every word in the old Articles of Confederation, the Govern- ment under which independence was won, was in the interest of home rule. When a fair trial had demonstrated the defects of that Government, the Convention met at Philadelphia, whose task it was to strengthen the old or frame a new government, which, having more power, would be better able to secure and perpetuate to the people of the States which should adopt it, the princijDles for which the war of independence had been fought. The Constitution they framed went into effect a hundred years ago on the fourth of last March. Four months from that date your society was found- ed — founded by men who, like the framers of the Con- stitution, had passed through the fires of the Revolu- tion, and who, like them, believed there was no irrecon- cilable conflict between the reserved rights of the States and National authority under the Constitution. It was, as I understand it, from the beginning the patriotic purpose of the Tammany Society to aid in car- rying on our Government in the spirit of its founders, keeping both State and National authority within the orbits prescribed by the Constitution. Within a century there are many imitations ; and it may possibly be true that within that period your or- ganization may sometimes have fallen, momentarily, into the hands of those who were forgetful of the prin- ciples it was intended to perpetuate ; yet you are to be CM, ration. 7.V.V.'/. 69 congratulated on the fact that your past history is a striking exemplification of fidelity to Constitutional limitations and devotion to local self-government. Clouds may for a time obscure, but the mariner never forgets his polar star ; and Tammany is as true to-day to the fundamental principles of our Government as were those who came together to found it in the early morning of our national existence. Animated by a spirit of reverence for the mighty past, and with unbounded faith in the future — faith that the lessons of the century that is gone will not be lost — the great Democratic hearts of this Democratic country, rejoicing, anew, in the fresh glories that have been added to the crown of true Democracy by the Adminis- tration that has just closed — will, on the fourth day of July next, offer up a sincere prayer for the perpetuity iu all its purity of the Democratic Government of our fathers, as well as for the increased and increasing use- fulness of your Democratic Society, in which I shall most heartily join. I am, very respectfully yours, HILARY A. HEBBERT, Member of Congress from Alabama. Pine Bluff, Ark., June 2-4, 1889. Dear Sir : — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of an invitation from the committee to deliver an address upon the very interesting occasion of the Centennial Anniversary of the Tammany Society, on the Fourth of July. It is with much regret that I rind my- self unable to be with you and among those who will address the meeting at that time. 70 Tammany Society. Perhaps no event in the long and illustrious history of the Order is of as much interest and importance as the one you now approach. The life of the Order is nearly contemporaneous with that of the Democratic party, and the vitality of both is due to the soundness of the principles upon which they are based. Our future is of value only to the extent that it may give promise of honorable, enlightened, and patriotic useful- ness. It is of supreme importance upon an occasion like i his to review our principles and career in order that we may correctly interpret the past and forecast the future. We find that as impulse has swayed the people from singleness of devotion to all parts of our common country, from a profound reverence for law, from an honest and economical administration of public affairs, and from the equality under equal laws of all the States and of all classes of the people, we have paid the penalty of heedlessness and of unwisdom ; but that as we have stuck to these great principles of the Fathers, we have successfully met every exigency, and that as we have returned to them we have been cured of every ill. We enter the second century under circumstances of increased compli -ation. It is all the more important to keep the landmarks clear and distinct for popular guid- ance. All depends upon the virtue and intelligence of the people. I trust that the great Democratic Society of Tammany, will keep her banners upon the outer walls and her principles clearly emblazoned upon her banners, and thus continue a bright beacon to patriots all over the country and the world. Sincerely yours, C. E. BEECKINKIDGE, Member of Congress from Arkansas. Celebration, 1889. 71 Greencastle, Ind., June 14, 1889. Dear Sm : — I have }our courteous note of invitation of the 9th inst., asking me to be present on the 4th proximo, on the occasion of the celebration of our Coun- try's Independence, and the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of the great order of which you are chief. I regret that it seems now to be impossible for me to leave important business engagements for that time, and so I must content myself with this note of thanks for the honor you have done me, and I shall join my sincere congratulations iu this way with the multitude of good Jeffersonian Democrats that will be with you, upon the fact that the illustrious Society of Tammany has so long outlived bitter opposition and abundant criticism, and with you all I express the hope that many other Centennials of its birth may yet be cele- brated. The spirit of true Democracy still lives in Indiana, and we all look forward to the speedy restoration of our party to power, in our two great States, and in the whole Republic. Very truly, C. C. MATSOX, Member of Congress from Indiana. Corsicana, Texas, June 20, 1889. Dear Sir : — I have received your letter of June 9th, inviting me to be present and address the Tammany So- ciety on the Fourth of July, when it celebrates the One Hundred ami Thirteenth Anniversary of American Inde- pendence. I regret exceedingly that I cannot aeeept your invitation. It would be a pleasure to me to be 72 Tammany Society. with you and join you in rendering honor to the birth- day of the Republic. Your society was organized by the same heroes who declared and won the Independence of our country, and it has come down to us in the beginning of its second century as patriotic and as devoted to the principles of ree government as it was at its birth. It still cham- pions the cause of personal, political, civil and religious liberty. It has entered fully upon its second century y with its numbers increased, its ranks enthusiastic and devoted to the creed of the fathers, and ready to do battle to preserve and perpetuate the Contitutional Union of the States, and to promote the prosperity and happiness of the people. Very truly yours, R Q. MILLS, Member of Congress from Texas. Boyce, La., June 18, 1889. Dear Sir : — I acknowledge with pleasure the receipt of your invitation to be present at the Centenary Anniversary of the Founding of your ancient Society. It will give me great pleasure to be present, if possible, to so arrange my affairs. Tammany has been at the front of every political battle since I have had any acquaintance with the poli- tics of our country. It has been my misfortune to feel compelled to vote against Tammany Hall in several National Conventions, beginning in 1876, but I always had the greatest respect for the Society as the repre- sentative of true Democracy, and no man ever made a deeper impression upon me, as an able, single-minded, honest man, than your lamented John Kelly. Celebration, hs.su. 7.", Tammany has been much vilified, her good faith often called in question, but on election-day, in all our National contests, the eyes of millions of Democrats all over the country are turned toward the Empire City with the hopeful assurance that the masses of Tammany Hall, inspired by her able and brilliant Chiefs and Sachems, are at the polls, speaking by their votes for the liberties of the people and for true Democracy. Longmaythe Society live as a bulwark of Democ- racy and liberty. Very respectfully yours, JAMES JEFFRIES, Member of Congress from Louisiana. HuNTdVlLLE, Ala., April 24, 1889. Dear Sir :— The invitation just received to participate in the Celebration, by the Society of Tammany, of the approaching Fourth of July, is acknowledged. Only the sternest mandates of duty, compelling my presence here on the auspicious occasion, which will honor and fittingly memorialize the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of American Independence, and the Centennial of the Founding of your patriotic and beloved Order, could prevent my personal presence in response to your invitation. The Columbian Order, or Society of Tammany, by its long life of distinguished fidelity to Democratic prin- ciples, and to a " pine JelVers< >nian form of Democratic. Government," lias won, and deservedly retains, the con- fidence and the admiration of the large majority of the Democratic citizens of our great Kepublic. It is among the largest gratifications of my life to know that the Democratic fires continue to burn with 74 Tammany Society. undimmed lustre upon the altars of Tammany, nor can I doubt that in the long future of succeeding genera- tions the effulgence of those fires — patriotic and eternal — will illumine the pages which will record the great political truths which it has been, and still is, the duty and the purpose of your venerable Society to maintain and to perpetuate. Very respectfully yours, PETEK M. DOX, Member of Congress for Alabama- Green Bay, Wis., June 18, 1889. Dear Sir : — It is with deep regret that I have to acknowledge in replying to the honor of an invitation to attend, July 4, 1889, my inability, owing to a prior engagement for the " day we celebrate," to accept the kindly bidding of your Order, the illustrious and his- torical Tammany Society, who propose to hold their Centennial Anniversary on that other fete day of our land, and its one hundred and thirteenth return of the festival of a Nation's Independence. I can imagine of no higher or more patriotic devotion than to be able to attend, and listen to, and behold the Tammany braves and their honored guests ministering at the shrines we ever have with us ; the memories of the Fathers of the Republic, and the great legacy they left, and we inherit, the blessings of constitutional liberity, as visible altars for our patriotic and memorial offerings of the clay. The history of your Order is likewise the history of our country — both, in their true and achieved purposes, have demonstrated the possibilities of devotion to principles and loj^ality to law and order. This fact has been added to the history of the world, that a government of the people was possible. A Be- Celebration, 1889. 75 public no longer a problem. Over a hundred years of progress and prosperity — solution enough to satisfy the staunchest monarchist — the United States of North America have been the demonstration. This govern- ment, formed by the people, must continue to be admin- istered for them on the original plan, its rules and rulers must continue to be of them, and reflect them, owing their force, their position of respect and authority, not to any accident of birth, hereditary name or fortune, but elevated b} T common suffrage on account of fitness and political integrity. This is the sum and substance of the conditions and limitations of the Government, you delight to honor and remember on this occasion. In the Middle West we had ceased to be the Far West, then as now, for from the rocky ridge of the " divide " we hear the cry of Westward, Ho ! Many years ago a Democratic leader was about to die. Tam- many knew him well, the nation honored him much, and he was an honor to his nation, his party and die human race. With his last breath he framed his political will — for his children, for his countrymen — "Tell them to support the Constitution of the United States and obey the laws of the land." So your brother in political allegiance and a great statesman, Stephen A. Douglass, died as he had lived, a Democrat and a patriot. Your vast and enthusiastic assemblage of this hour is a family gathering, the heirs and legatees of Douglas — probating the will! — carrying out in effect his famous request. Afterward let prophets sing : The kissing winds all round the world Shall salute our nation's Hag unfurled, In that world court, and tor every race — Columbia queen's it— first and foremost place. Respectfully, etc., THUS. \l BUDD, Member of Congress from Wisconsin. 76 , Tammany Society. Lexington, Ky., June 16, 1889. Dear Sir : — Yours of June the 9th, only reached me on yesterday. I regret that it is impossible for me to accept the invitation to be present on the Fourth of July, and participate in the Celebration of the Centen- nial of the founding of your Societ}-. Eloquent orators will charm you with praises of the past. My heart is full of hope as to the victories and glories of the future, which are to be won in contests perhaps fiercer and requiring greater courage than the many in which your Society has shared in the past. And in these coming contests I feel assured that Tammany will bear her full share and contribute her full part, and in the triumph of true Democracy and the resultant prosperity of the American people, Tammany will find her sweetest reward. With cordial good wishes that your celebration may be eminently successful, and with sincere regrets that I cannot be present, I am very truly yours, WM. C. P. BRECKINRIDGE, Member of Congress from Kentucky. Wheeler, Ala., June 28, 1889. Dear Sir : — I write to express my thanks for the in- vitation to be present at the Celebration of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of Independence by Tammany Society. It would give me great pleasure to be present at a Celebration under the auspices of an organization which for a century has devoted itself to the noble purpose of engrafting the principles of Democratic government into our institutions, and would certainly accept, were Celebration, 1889. 77 it in my power to do so. Thanking you again for the invitation, Believe me with great respect, Your obedient servant, JOSEPH WHEELER, Member of Congress from Alabama. Richmond, Ky., June 30, 1889. Dear Sin : — I thank yon and Tammany Society for an invitation to be present and deliver an address on the 4th of July next, when Tammany Society, or Colum- bian Order, will celebrate the One Hundred and Thir- teenth Anniversary of American Independence and the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of your great Society, and I regret more than I can express that my engagements in Kentucky will prevent me from being present. It is fit and proper that you should celebrate on the same day the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniver- sary of American Independence and the One Hundredth Anniversary of the oldest political body in the United States. No Society has watched more closely, or worked harder, for the success and supremacy of the Democratic Party than yours, and no society has taken a deeper interest in the vast and varied and won- derful achievements of our great Republic than yours. I look with great respect and veneration upon a so- ciety whose members took active part in the election of Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Madison, and Monroe, who watched the birth and death of nearly all the great political parties of our country, and rejoiced that the Democratic party was the only permanent political organization in our country, and who always remained 78 Tammany Society. true to the cardinal principles of Democracy as an- nounced by Jefferson. Our Republic will be benefited by the noble efforts of the members of the Tammany Society, and I hope their good work will continue as long as our Republic lasts, and that they w r ill see the Democratic Party crowned with the success of its principles and our country move forward to the accomplishment of greater and grander achievements. Respectfully, JAMES B. McCREARY, Member of Congress from Kentucky. Tombstone, Arizona, June 20, 1889. Dear Sir : — Important engagements at home forces me to decline your very cordial invitation to be present and address the meeting to be held in Tammany Hall, on July 4th, in Celebration of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of Ameri- can Independence, and the Centennial Anniversary of the Founding of your patriotic Order. I love to meet my countrymen at the shrine of Tammany, and re- new there my love of our Republican institutions, and do just homage to the Columbian Order, that has done so much to preserve untarnished those liberties for which our fathers perilled fame, fortune and life. Long may Tammany stand a beacon light to our ship of State. Thanking your Order for the invitation extended me, and deploring 1113^ inability to be present, I beg to be and remain, Sincerely yours, MARCUS A. SMITH, Territorial Delegate to Congress. Cdrhrntion. 1XSH. 79 State of New York, Lieut. -Governor's Room, Albany, June 25, 1889. Dear Sir : — Every year, as the Fourth of July approaches, and I am compelled, as now, through other engagements to decline the invitation to celebrate our National Birthday with the Tammany Society, I prom- ise myself that next year, if they honor me with an invitation, I will surely accept. To my mind the commemoration of the events of our first Fourth of July is of vast importance to the per- petuation of our Republican form of Government. Of such consequence do I esteem it that I would make its observance legally obligatory, and a reasonable expense for the proper celebration thereof a National charge. Thanking you for your kindly remembrance, I am yours truly, EDWARD F. JONES, Lieut.-Governor of New York. Court of Appeals, Judges Chambers, Albany, N. Y., June 28, 1889. Dear Sir: — It would give me great pleasure to join in your festivities upon the Celebration of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of the Fourth <>f July, but I shall be unable to do so, as 1 sail for Europe on the 2d inst. Very truly, K. W. PECKHAM, Judge of Court of Appeals. 80 Tammany Society. Attorney General's Office, Albany, N. Y., June 26, 1889. Dear Sir : — Your kind invitation to attend the Cele- bration of the Tammany Society, on July 4th, 1889, has been duly received, and I regret that my official en- gagements will prevent my attendance at that time. Very truly yours, CHAS. F. TABOR, Attorney General State of New York. Comptroller's Office, Albany, N. Y., July 5, 1889. Dear Sir : — By some inadvertance the invitation sent me by your Committee, for the Tammany Society Celebration, was filed away among "letters answered" at my home at Fultonville, and only discovered yester- day. I sincerely regret this, as it prevented my re- sponse to your courteous invitation, and my attendance at the Celebration. I am pleased to read how great was its success, but then, we have come to expect that everything Tamma- ny undertakes will be well carried out. Very truly yours, EDWARD WEMPLE. State of New York. Supreme Court Chambers, Albany, June 22, 1889. Dear Sir : — Please accept my thanks for the honor you have done me in sending me an invitation to attend Cekhrntion, lSSft. 81 the Celebration by your Society, of the coming Fourth of July. It would give me great pleasure to be present with you on that day, and to join in your patriotic remem- brance of the Birthday of our Republic. At no time has the importance of the Democratic principles a Ivocated by your Society been more evi- dent than at this day. Regretting that I am unable to accept your kind in- vitation, I remain, truly yours, W. L. LEARNED. Mayor's Office, Syracuse, X. Y., July 3, 1889. Dear Sir : — I am pleased to acknowledge your invi- tation to join witli the Society of Tammany or Colum- bian Order, in its annual Fourth of July Celebration, and, I very much regret my inability to attend. I fully appreciate the patriotic efforts of Tammany and its devotion to a pure Democratic form of govern- ment, and trust that the occasion of its One Hundred and Thirteenth Celebration of the Fourth of July will be of great interest to all who have the honor of par- ticipating. Yours most respectfully, WM. B. KIRK, Mayor of Syracuse, X. Y. Philadelphia, Pa., June 21, 1889. Dear Sir : — For over forty years I have been hon- ored witli an invitation from " The Society of Tam- 82 Tammany Society. many " to unite with it in its Celebration of the Birth- day of its Organization. Again } T our courtesy is acknowledged. The principles of the Democratic party as they were first enunciated, remain unto this present. They who teach any other political gospel are enemies. Modern side issues are but devices to disorganize the party. The rights of the States, the original Federal Constitution, the separation of the departments of the federal govern- ment, the rigid limitation of the power of Congress, the judiciary, and the executive, and taxation only for the needs of an economic system of the people's gov- ernment, protecting rights, and rejecting all claims of monopolists, or special interest, these are the principles of true Democracy as declared by the Fathers. They who are not in favor of these principles and ready to organize in support of them, and vote for their advocates have neither lot nor part with the Democratic party. Faithfully yours, EICHAED VAUX, Ex-Mayor of Philadelphia. TTatertown, N. Y., June 24, 1889. Dear Sir : — I am in receipt of your favor of the 20th inst., inviting me to attend the Celebration of the Fourth of July, by the Tammany Society, at Tammany Hall, New York. The time-honored custom of celebrating the Anniversary of American Independence does not, I regret to say, inspire the same interest among the masses of our people that was so common in the earlier days of the Eepublic. The fact that the Tammany Society is almost the only political organization that Celebration, 1889, 83 still, on each recurring anniversary, celebrates the day with the same ceremonies and patriotic ardor as of old, is the best proof of its adherence and devotion to the fundamental principles upon which our government was founded and the best traditions of American national life. I regret that I will be unable to avail myself of the pleasure of meeting the members of your Society and its invited guests, on such an interesting occasion, and to participate with them in the appropriate celebration of the da} r . Thanking you, and through you, the organization which you represent, I am, dear sir, Yours very truly, DENNIS O'BRIEN, Ex-Attorney-General, State of N. Y. New Yobk, July 1, 1889. Dear Sir : — I beg to thank your organization for an invitation to participate in its Celebration of the forth- coming Anniversary of American Independence, and regret that another engagement prevents its acceptance. Very truly yours, DANIEL S. LAMONT. Port Townsbnd, W. T., June 24, 1880. Dear Sir : — Your invitation to me to be present with the Society of Tammany to celebrate the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of American Independ- ence, and the One Hundredth Anniversary of your hon- orable Society, is received. 84 Tammany Society. It would give me pleasure to be with your Society on that occasion and participate with it in devotion ta a pure Democratic form of government ; but the great distance which separates me in my far Western home from you will prevent me from being present. I trust it may be a happy occasion, and that your ancient Society may long continue to prosper in its good works. Kespectfully yours, J. A. KUHN, Mem. Nat. Com. for Wash. Ter. Pittsburg, Pa., June 26, 1889. Dear Sir : — The invitation to attend the anniversary of your Society on the 4th proximo, has been received. I regret exceedingly my inability to be with you. The patriotic past of Tammany ; its fidelity to the cause of Democracy and good government, merit the continued appreciation and confidence of every true American. Yours sincerely, william McClelland. New York, June 28, 1889. Dear Sir : — Your kind note came to hand after I had accepted an urgent repetition of an invitation, ex- tended to me months ago, to visit Kentucky, on July 4th. It would have been to me a great pleasure to meet my fellow members of the Tammany Society, on the Fourth, especially as the Society will celebrate its Cen- tennial Anniversary. I cannot tell you how sorry I am Celebration, 1880. 85 to be absent. Surely the Society has reason to be proud of its historic record. Formed in the same year with the adoption of the Constitution of the United States, it has numbered among its members many of the most distinguished of American statesmen. Its aims have ever been adherence to a strict construction of the Constitution, fidelity to the Union, and unswerv- ing devotion to the principles of the Democracy. With great regard, Very truly yours, DANIEL DOUGHEBTY. Detroit, Mich., June 28, 1889. DEAR Sin : — I regret exceedingly my inability to be present at the coining Celebration of the birth of In- dependence, and of the Society of Tammany. Although your kindly summons to the altar of our political faith is not responded to by my personal presence, yet in common with all the sons of old Tammany, whenever disposed, I will join yon in spirit and pledge my un- changeable devotion to the political principles of Jef- ferson, Jackson and Tilden. With cordial greeting, I am, Fraternally yours, WILLIAM C. MAYBURY. Buffalo, N. Y., Jnly 1, ISM). Deab Sir: — I have the honor to acknowledge your courteous invitation to be present, on July 4th next, at the Celebration of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of American Independence, under the auspices of the Tammany Society, coupled with the 86 Tammany Society. more than generous request to address the meeting. It was my earnest desire to join with you in person on what doubtless will be a memorable occasion, and ex- pected that engagements previously made could be surmounted, but I now find it impossible to leave the city. On this day of National rejoicing, typifying as it does the freedom and prosperity of the greatest and freest country on the face of the globe, it is meet and proper that your organization, born in the days of the revolu- tionary Fathers, baptized in the blood of martyrs and grown to strength and grandeur by devotion to Con- stitutional government, should memorize America's birthday. The long and prosperous existence of the Tammany Society clearly shows that the objects and purposes for which it was organized must have been noble, patriotic, and just ; and in your battles for right and the preser- vation of American suffrage, the great heart of the people has ever been with you. Very respectfully yours, WILLIAM F. SHEEHAN. Corning, N. Y., July 4, 1889. Dear Sir : — Absence from home until to-day, since your invitation came here, giving me the opportunity of being present and participating with the sons of the Society of Tammany or Columbian Order, in the One Hundred and Thirteenth Celebration of the birthday of our Republic. This is my appology for not answering the invitation, for which accept thanks of, Yours respectfully, GEO. B. RBADLEY. Celebration^ t889. ST Columbus, Miss., July gst, 1889. WiOHASAWAinvA : -Tok in ivecetuni hecel mive God- dess of Liberty wace kiapi ekta owapa n<*i nakun Tam- many yuonihanpi ekta owapa kta 4th July kin ban, wahoweayayapi kin han, lila pila magaya ]>i wiyawapi JHh June, minagi kin ecela hici yaonpi kta. Heci wahi ktecin be wastewala, wibluskin ktecin na nita ohitinke cin on iyawakisa na wowiyusk in he yaot- aninpi ekta owapa kta hecel ton a lila skanpi namakoce awanyanka pi kin hena nahun pi kta ca. Tammany tehan yanipin he lehanl iciciyuskin, wana waniyetu opawinge Ik 4 ban ya, Otowwe itancan kici lie nakun. Wicasa wasteste iyapi kta na wicasa wakan bena heyapi kta. Wasicum tawicohan im nap ya awi- cayapi Ikce wicasa Lena wana inyan lie el fcyka na Da- kota makoce sica ekta. Tka Tammany tankarci cin na towasake cin na to- waste waecon eye cin heya yona waste ]>i hena na hanrci nionpi. Han, Wiyaskinpo. Marpiyatakiya iyakisapo. Tate hena eyaye kiyape liecel Mississippi ohnta na maya nakun Tombigbee paha wan k< ituya hena akawins hiyu pi kin aonye onyapi kin niye on wiunyaskin kta na " mochahi" un wicon kin in pi kta toka etan. Wisicun oyate Liberty ana ptapi kte cin. Lila awecakeya nitawa, C. S. JOHNSTON. (The same in the Infer, National tongue.) Columbus, Miss., July 1, 1889. Gentlemen : — Hoping that circumstances wouhl so shape themselves as that I might have the privilege of worshipping the Goddess of Liberty at the shrine of Tammany on the 4th inst., I have deferred until now an acknowledgment of your invitation of the 9th ult. 88 Tammany Society. I can be with you only^m the spirit. I would love to be there, to rejoice with you, to add my voice to the shouts of your braves, make your hosannas that reso- nant thai they might reach the ears of the toiling mil- lions who still pay tribute to royalty, and make obeis- ance to despotism. I congratulate Tammany on the attainment of its majority, that it has reached a Centennial coincident with its supremacy in the Metropolis of the country. Philanthropists may prate, missionaries complain that civilization has pushed the aboriginal tribes to the peaks of the Bockies, and into the alkaline flats of the Dakotas, but the supremacy of Tammany, its power, its beneficent influences but emphasize the climaxic idea of American liberty — "the survival of the fittest." Yes, rejoice ! Let your shouts pierce the skies ! Let the winds catch them, and as they are wafted to the banks of the Mississippi, to the towering bluffs of the Tombigbee, we will rejoice with you, and add our " mock-a-hi " for any foe that would assail the liberties of the American people. Yours most sincerely, C. S. JOHNSTON. SrPiiNGFiELD, III., July 1, 1889. Dear Sir : — Your kind invitation to be present and address those who may assemble in Tammany Hall, on the 4th day of July, is received. It would afford me great pleasure to be with you on the occasion indicated. But my engagements are such that it will be impossible to do so. The anniversary of our Nation's birth is an appro- priate occasion for Democrats to renew their devotion to the principles of the Declaration of Independence. Celebration. 89 The author of this immortal declaration was tin- founder of our party, and in formulating the one he hut furnished the principles of the other. I trust the approaching celebration af Tammany Hall will be worthy of its past record in this respect. I am, very truly yours, W. M. SPRINGER. Omaha, Neb., June 27, 1889. Dear Sin : — I beg to acknowledge receipt of your esteemed favor of the 20th inst., inviting my attend- ance at the One Hundred and Thirteenth Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Founding of the Society of Tammany, or Columbian Order. I greatly regret my inability to be present. I will be in 3-0111* city on July 6th, and remain until the 10th, when I sail for a European trip. Business arrangements, consummated just prior to the receipt of your invitation prevent my arrival earlier, otherwise I would, with great pleasure, accept the invitation, and attend the Celebration, thereby experiencing doubtless an inspiration which must certainly touch all who par- ticipate in the services of your Order, and listen to the sentiments and expressions of love and devotion to our country and its form of government which our greatest Democrats on such occasions so forcibly and eloquently present. I congratulate you upon the coming Cele- bration, and hope it may be greater in every respect than any of those which have been held in the past, and that thereby the Order may be strengthened for its future patriotic work. Very truly yours, C. s. MONTGOMERY, 90 Tammany Society. New Olreans, La., June 27, 1889. Dear Sir : — I regret that it is beyond my power to accept the valued invitation you transmit, to attend the One Hundred and Thirteenth Celebration by the Soci- ety of Tammany or Columbian Order, on the Fourth of July, the birthday of the Republic. The interest nat- urally attaching to such an occasion will be, as I think, greatly enhanced, owing to the fact that the same joyful occasion is the opportunity for the observance, with suitable festivities, of the Centennial of the Founding of the ancient and honored Columbian Order of the City of New York. The history of the Order, the patriotism of those who have constantly represented it, their connection with the name, the character and the teachings of Jefferson, as an apostle of liberty, in whose breast the love of freedom burnt like a holy flame, and the intimate asso- ciation of the Order with great national events, and with American public life — all these, as well as other consid- erations, naturally connected with them — will tend to make of the approaching centennial, not only a conspic- uous celebration, but one the memory of which will long survive. Wishing for the Society of Tammany, continued use- fulness and honor, I remain with great esteem and regard, Your obedient servant and fellow-citizen, CARLETON HUNT. Letters and telegrams were also received from Hon. William C. Whitney, Hon. H. B. Payne, TJ. S. Senator from Ohio ; Governor Robert S. Green, of New Jersey ; Congressman Roswell P. Flower, John G. Prather, Celebration, 1889, 91 Member of the Democratic National Committee from Missouri ; Congressmen Walter I. Hayes, of Iowa, and Charles E. Hooker, of Mississippi; Mayor Alfred Chapin, of Brooklyn ; Judge Amasa J. Parker, State Senator Donald McNaughton, Hon. Theodore Miller, Hon. George Winthrop, of Pennsylvania ; Hon. Tennent Lomax, of Alabama; Hon. Alpheus B. Alger, of Massachusetts ; Hon. John Miner, of Michigan ; Hon. E. H. Jones, of Missouri; Hon. Samuel P. Hovey, of Rhode Island; Hon. Samuel J. Tilden, Jr., Hon. P. H. Considine, Hon. Henry A. Reeves, Hon. Hiram Atkins, Hon. J. H. Estell, Hon. A. Nolthan, Hon. Theodore Miller, Hon. S. Perry Smith, Hon. Frank Nash, Hon. John Haggard, President of the Young Men's Demo- cratic Club, of Philadelphia ; and Hon. J. H. Farrell.