New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-05-29
OUR SECRET POLITICAL SOCIETIES.

quent 10 the passage of the Alien and Sedion Laws
in 1898. Whether or not the Feieralists were imbued
with the true principles Of Hindooism il would be IN
Necessary for Us to inquire; it Is sufficient to know
glencing only ct the origin and progress Of secret so
c;eies-that TIE FIST organization Of proscripuve
character was thst termed The Columbian Order, or
Sons Of ST. Tammany. At the time Of its formation
this was undoubtedly Native association OF the most
sectaran kind; but of the changes which have taken
place in lie character since then it is scarcely neces
| sary to speak. Every one who knows anything OF
politics il aware that Saint Temmany is now the
patron saint Of the Democratic party But Tor long
time the Native associations did not Increase very
rapidly in number The mysterious Order OF Red
Men made ifs appearance in 1885, and ut one period
numbered about two thousand members IN this City.
| II had for its device Deaths Head, with hand
| grasping knife. This ridiculous emblem vas char
sc.cr;sc Of the exnggeration and bombast which pre-
dominated in the Order. After feeble existence OF
few wears this organization became extinct.
TIE Native American revival, which lasted from
1sieto 1915 is doubtless well remembered by the
of our eaders The Order Of United Americans was
born in this City during that excitement and Mt one
period assumed to hold balance of power IN the
local elections. The principal orignators Of this So
cieiy were Jared Dancker, now Grand Secretary Of
the Order, Thomas Z. Whitney, Passed Grand
Sachem, Robert De Witt Francis j. Striker ofBrook-
lyn and Simeon Baldwin Of New-IIaven. at thepresent
time the o. L. AS number about sixty Chapters, and
have an existence in five States. Jacob Broom Of
| Pennsylvania, j. Il. Cleveland and {. W. Dickinson
Of Newark among the latest converts to this phase
Of Nativsm. With respect TO journals The Phtade'-
| Tiia Sun was the first TO advocate the principles OF
the party. The conduct Of that paper was then
l.. -
Natchez. Ievv-who took quite an active part in the
Kensington riots, which resulted in the death Of
ShIior In Now-York the party supported by
| kindred organs. Ned Bvnliaes OrH and The Saciem
were during their brief existence regarded the
shining lights Of so-called Americsni-m. Messrs.
udson. Picon, North and their associates held fast 10
the Order while it was profitable to do so, and only
abandoned IT when convinced that public creduity
with refcrenceto themselves completely exhausted
The seal and emblem Of the o. L. 4. is hand
prasping snake. The badge worn in Chapter-rooms
and on parade is a sash OF rcd, white and blue,
mented with thirteen silver stars-the original num-
Der of States There are also distinctive badges Of
blue and silver worn by the sachcms and officers of
Chancery.
Divisions caused by the intolerance Of leaders have
been frequent in this body, indeed they have been
work in secrecy and darkness The society called United
American Mechanics was originated by seceders from
tie Order; and subsequently another branch took
root in Pennsylvania known az the United Sons of
America. In both, however, the character and pur-
poses Of the Society are very nearly similar to the
original The qualifications necessary to become
member are that the candidate shall be nave-born,
Protestant and eighteen years Of age. The fact that
a..
that it was not originally intended as political or
ganizaon and also accounts for the origin, at later
period, Of tie more powerful and guarded body, the
influence of which is widely felt in politics.
In 1913 the "Oder of the Sons of the Sires Of TO-
frst made its appearance. II was founded by three
persons: William L. Bradbury, bunker Democrat;
s. s. Austin. Soft and Charles b. Alien Silver Gray.
Bradbury, the principal Of the party, has since
| deceased, and his remains now occupy owly grave
! in the Poters Field. The first Of the councils, or
lodges a. they were then called was organized in the
Eleventh Ward and was presided over by Charles b.
| Allen who wrote the ritual and bylaws Necessary TO
work uron. The Order did not increase very rapidly
during the first three four years of existence; and
it was not until the Spring of 1853 that assumed any
! importance n political body. At that time II was
| in the hands OF clique led By Chauncey Schaner,
and was represented by small daily paper called
! The Budget edited by II. +. harrington, Grand
Secretary The original ritual had been revised dur
inc this time and q new form Of initiation was in
vented BY John L. Elliott, then occupying the Office
Of Grand Secretary in the Order. A star, with the
number o. in the center, was the acknowledged en-
blem, except in the Grand Council, the members Of
which wore a regaia consisting Of small rosctte
with ribbons Of red white and blue, and small silver
starwi,h red center. The number on the star was IN
commemoration Of the age to which Washington had
attained at the time of his acknowledgement years
About two months previous to the elections Of 1855
Mr. james W. Barker, who had been for some time a
member Of the Order was Initiated int the Third De
gree delegation consisting of Dr. Beeoher OF New
York. j. L. Elliott and Joseph Hiss OF Baltimore,
| ,ince however better known in Boston, called upon
Mr. Barker at his residence and administered the obi
cations The ceremony, as we have been informed,
was OF very affecting character. We copy portion
OF the Third Degree obligation:
You DO further promise and swear Cor ar that yol vii
not vote IL any s any Office Of honor proa' % '
Of political character. WHOM yoa know o. odierf Z, oe n
Of dissolution OF the Uaon OF these st1ies Of who
oriug to produee that results li zoe wi fofsJ0' and i ~
fr al yiiioi fcfs 1A1d or JniH Degree Deres q N''
Order "a preference % az oihersi That ns se ,
Will when appointed any Official station which may
confer On gu the rover 70 Go So remove 10 81 IL
avor OF l.souiion Of the Union who eudeayorns
thsf rr.uif. and HAT you vii Ia appo1t
~, ,v poli,c1i once or plsce hz-vcr Al this you
Trosise and swssr iof al Einl uI'n fel4 Lono a. - ~
bv vhcut any h,aou meucl walton wacTer ca
$50 mon aud sesr lcr lnrl ths IL and s other osra-
b. crsd and n,at 10 al ths yea sdgs yolT ys
your fortunes your sacred hono 80 help you Cod aud
The operations Of this wheel within a wheel
which still exist in the Know-Nothing party, can be
,F tf..a'f frf