The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-11-19
GEO.P. WELL A Co,
90 PARK Row, New York,
KNOW NOTHINGIsM REDIvUs.
THE ORDER OF UNITED AMERICAN Me-
CHANCES.

dark-lantern, anti-republIcan principles
OF knOw-nothingism to the tomb of the
Capulets-we hoped that none of its
ill-gained progeny would again disturb
society, at least in our generation. In
this expectation we were mistaken.
An organization styling itself ''the Or
Ter ofUnited American Mechanics, with
ramifications in several eastern states,
but whose operations are confined prin-
cipslly to the commonwealth Of Penn
sylvania, and which has for Its object
the ostracising of our foreign born cit
ize-s, has, mushroom-like sprung into
existence. While we have no doubt
Lat this excresence, like all its prede-
cessors, of a similar character, will be
known as a nine days wonder-a few
years hence, we consider it none the
less our duty to denounce its mischiev-
ous character, and warn the american
workmen of its ensnaring influences.
The object Of the order, as published
in its organ, the Mechanics Adcocate,
are as follows:
lst 7 . assist each other in obtaining en-
ploymenL
"a. To encourage each other in business
70. To establish sick and funeral fund
9Th. To establish q fund for the relief Of
widows ard orphans Of deceased nembers.
9th. To aid members who, through Provi-
dence, may have become incapacitated from
following their usual ayOcation ia obtaining sit
untious suitable to their Affections
81 far 50 good, but let US see as to
-.groiIity for membership, and who
can and who cannot receive these ben
e6ts. Section ], Of Law XII, General
Laws Of the order provides that
Any white male citizen, BoRN IN THE UNITED
STATS o. NoRTH AMERICA, ITS TERRITORIES on
rNDFR rHE PROTECTION OF ITS FLAG, SHALL BIZ
TrGIBLE 70 MEMBERSHIP under the provisions Of
the law ID The State and subordinate Council to
which application is made.
Why, We ask confined to white male
citizens, born in the United States OF
Nm America? Why exclude those
who have become American citizens by
choice : aud who are as deeply inter-
ested in the welfare Of the country as
those to the manor born? Suppose,
during our recent domestic troubles,
the following pronunciamento had been
issued
WASTED-l50O0 900 RECRUITs None bat white
male citizens, horn in the United States Of
America, its territories, or under the protection
q lie Gag will be accepted.
What howl Of indignation
would have been raised by the
same men who now claim to espec-
tally champion American interests.
And yet it is poor rule that won't
work both ways. American born citi-
zens are entitled to no more privileges
than the foreign born citizens, and the
man or class of men who seek to es-
tablish a different theory are the arch
enemies Of the human race.
We assert fearless of successful con-
tradiction that thorough investigs-
ton will develop the fsct-that at least
seven-tenths of the skilled labor repre-
sentatives in our trades unions--are
foreigners by birth, while in point of
patriotism and intelligence they are the
peers in every respect, of those who
arrogate to themselves-by accident of
birth,-a superiOrity-which they can
never substsntiate. Eliminate this ele-
ment froI our labor organizations
the men who had the manhood TO ad-
vocate and demand their rights, under
circumstances tar different from those
enjoyed by the American mechanic.
and they would not be worth one hours
purchase. The men from the CLYDE
and the Tyne, who have helped to make
England mistress ofGhe seas-and give
her her proud pre-eminence--are those
who, under no circumstances will con-
sent to occupy a subordinate position
in country which their own courage
and handicraft have helped TO develop.
Let this spirit of caste or nationality
prevail, and our work shops would be
transformed into a very hell. Factions
and counter factions would be the rule
Of the day, and peace and order be-
come a thing of the past.
For the especial benefit Of our read
ers, We herewith present few speci.
mer names ofthose guardians of Amer
lean interests who seemed to be the
controlling spirits in the recent State
Convention Of the order in Pennsylva-
MA, to which we have referred. We
find the Pilgrim Fathers represented
by Scanlon, Devlin, McFarrv. and
Miilgan also by such revolutionary
relics Is KurtE, Vogt, kaufman, COT.
aud Geissel, -'chO doubtless fouQht on
the other side-while the editors Of the
Official journal rejoice respectively in
the euphonious and peculiarly Amer.
caa cognOmen Of Kahler Snyder, and
GOchenour. We claim that all organ
lzations, whether social, political or me-
y