A term used in connection with the Know-nothings, who professed extraordinary patriotism and zeal for “Uncle Sam.”
1855. Now, Sam, if you have no religion of your own, as you spell your name B-h-o-y, where is prescription to stop?—Oregon Weekly Times, June.
1855. See COON. See RIGHT ON THE GOOSE.
1855. An individual, masked under the vulgar name of Sam, furnishes just now a good deal more than half the pabulum wherewith certain legislators and journalists are fed.—Putnam’s Mag., v. 533 (May).
1856. When the frosts of November shall visit us, the immortal “Sam” will have passed away from the earth. Born of bigotry and intolerance, he was conceived in sin and brought forth in iniquity. His strange birth, rapid growth, violent life, and sudden death, will form an interesting study for the future … historian.—Mr. Marshall of Illinois, House of Repr., Aug. 6: Cong. Globe, p. 1228, App.
1856. Bartlett quotes a parody of ‘The Burial of Sir John Moore,’ entitled ‘The Burial of Sam,’ from the Washington Evening Star, Nov. 3.
1860. A few years since [he] was a very officious Democrat; then he saw hopes for office in an American organization; and he crawled into the caves, garrets, and cellars where “Sam” congregated; took all the horrid oaths, and learned the secret grips of that order.—Mr. Montgomery of Pa., House of Repr., Jan. 18: Cong. Globe, p. 515.
