AT TAMMANY HALL, OF THE NINETIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE BY THE TAMMANY SOCIETY, OR COLUMBIAN ORDER, Wednesday, July 4th, 1866. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE TAMMANY SOCIETY. NEW YORK: THE NEW YORK PRINTING COMPANY, 81, 83 & 85 CENTRE STREET. 1866. "THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED!" THE TAMMANY SOCIETY, OR COLUMBIAN ORDER, cordially invites you to take part in its Celebration of the Anniversary of our National Independence, which it has never failed to honor since the foundation of the Society in 1789. The conflict of arms has ceased; the Rebellion has been suppressed; but alas! the perfect Union bequeathed to us by our patriotic forefathers has not yet been restored. The authority of the Government has been vindicated; the Flag of the Union now floats triumphantly over every foot of National domain; but eleven sovereign States are still denied representation in the Federai Congress, and are not recognised as coordinate parts of the nation. The Union, which could not be divided by force, has been practically annulled by partisan politicians in Congress. The exclusion of eleven States from participation in the Government is no less treasonable, morally, when effected by partisan votes, than when attempted by a rebellious resort to arms. During the recent Civil War, the Tammany Society sent its sons to fight for the Union, and with unswerving fidelity heartily supported the Federal Government in its struggle with sedition. Now that the war is ended, the South reformed and repentant, the treasonable spirit expelled from the land, and the Constitution preserved in its integrity from the assaults of the armies of the Rebellion, the Tammany Society turns with the same unwavering patriotism to resist, by its influence, its arguments, and whatever of political power it may possess, the efforts of partisanship to wrest from us that unity and prosperity which are the legitimate compensations for our sacrifices, and the natural fruits of our victories. The Tammany Society, therefore, invites to her celebration all those who believe the Union was created to be perpetual; that the States are equal under the Constitution; that the restoration of the Union by the recent war ought to be acknowledged and recognised by all Departments of the Federal Government; that a spirit of fraternity and magnanimity should prevail in all our councils and our policy; and that the South, having accepted the lessons of the war and relinquished the heresies of secession, should be at once admitted to her constitutional representation. JAMES WATSON, Scribe of the Council. JOHN T. HOFFMAN, Grand Sachem. Please address your answer to JOHN T. HOFFMAN, City Hall, New York. |