The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-08
EQUALITY AND JUSTICE.
A Female Ku Klux in Massa-
chsaseats.
How the Labor Reformers Are
to be Manipulated.
The Leaders Of the People and Their
Secret Cabal-Closets and Raps-The
Coffin, Shroud, Flag and Sword-1he
Programme for Next Election.
Boston. April. 1871.


BOSTON. April, 1871.
"One idea men, rs they famliarly called, are
divided into two classes-tlose who concentrate all
OF their energies to the accomplishment or o single
object and another portion whose brains are SO lin
tied In capacity that they cannot contain but one
idea tiIne To this latter division OF society ap-
pear to belong many OF those who are endeavorlng
TO institute and foster for the amelioration
OF The condition OF the working men and women OF
Massachusetts, and the frequent eXpedients which
they present to the public and discuss in their secret
conclaves generally so ridiculous IN their
nature as TO defeat themselves. This has been the
case with nearly all OF the plans which have
been offered within the past ten years. The labor
reformers have tried nearly every method they
could-a very few of which We're based I'D some
measure on common sense-to educate the people to.
belief that labor was being opposed by capital but
the results thus far have proved most decidedly un
satisfactory. One or the most recent and sll!lesL
movements OF this sort has been the establishments
OF secret organization known as the Order of
EQUALITY AND JUSTICE.
Some time In the spring Of 1869 MISS Aurora q.
Phelps, the champion OF Tree h0mesteads for women,
Mrs. Colonel William g. Greene and Jennie Collins
met together at the house OF Mrs. E. l.. Daniels on
Clarendon street, In this city, and, after carefully
considering the situation and prospects OF the labor
reformers, agreed that their work should be more
closely concentrated before 1t could show any de-
finite results. Mrs. Dr. Fletcher, Colonel Greene and
Mrs. Dr.. Batchelder called into tile council and
with their cooperation was instituted the secret
Order or Equality and Justice It's real object was to
control the Labor Reform party OF the State by
packing conventions, the issuance OF tracts and
other documents and such kindred methods as Op-
p0rtunity might furnish. All OF the leading speakers
Of the female portion VI the party were 10 be gath
cred into the ORDER and 1t was expected that success
would be Inevitable Their pubic AIMS and objects
may be best seen by perusal OF the Following
If anybo can clearly understand it. They say, first
1t Is aim to secure 'the supremacy of his
nccidents;"
capital and to deliver both working people and the CAPT
tass from the mmoraes which are consequent that
enancpate woman or the female and to place her
pement and equal Oft. Of the masculine man and.
who oppressed by the existing false civilization.
The order then promugates the opinion that
charity, when 1t takes the form OF organized aims
giving becomes an outrage and fraud, uemOraiiz-
ing the rich and degrading the recipients OF their
bounty. They mold that the present condition Of the
oppressed classes Is such that 1t has become both
their Interest and their duty TO demand justice as
divorced from mercy. Also that II justice were
extend Christian chatsy aims giving and mercy 20
the oppress0rs who have robbed and cOerceu them
IRON generation to generation. They do not ask for
community OF goods, but, looking for organize
change IN the social order consequence upon the reu
yenaton OF the Christian religion acknowledge TINT
for the present the richer members OF the order have
the same right TO control their own wealth that the
poorer members have to support their poverty
with dignity. All women are eligible to memberS
ship, but single men are deprived that privilege.
Whether this latter regulation was intended as an
insult to old bachelors the document does not state
but 1t Is known that the majority OF the women who
drew IL up mad never tasted Inc sweets OF matriI
the duties of the officers and establish minor rules or
discipline for the order.
THE OFFICES
onh4
Left Assistant and We're originally filed, respec-
lively, by Miss Aurora c. Phelps Mrs. 4. L. Daniels
bers OF the second degree, and possessed absolute
control over the affairs OF the organization, to
the power OF preventing any accession TO or change
IN their numbers The remaining members are
called "novccs," and nave little to do except to-
manifest obedience TO the orders or their superiors
regular form OF initiation consisting OF the coan
shfoud flag and sword, with an appropriate ritual
SIMILAR II Is SAID 70 thas Used by me mystic bro
for membership was compelled to be put through.
No passwords or grips are IN use, but the signal for
admission consists OF single rap, followed after the
coun ing OF ten by two succeeding ones close to-
gether. No assessments are levied upon the men,
bers and no admission ice. AL who fulfil the re-
qulrements OF sex and social condition,
and who are willing to declare their
belief in a Supreme Being, the POLITICAL
equality OF the sexes and the sacredness Of woman
hood can become novlces OF the order. SO much for
the Platform and principles OF The society, which
trved Driskly until the opening OF the Legislature
this winter, when
reformers, some OF the individual members OF the
order were unwilling that sinners should be saved
unless they became members OF their church, and as
IL is impossible for man 10 become Roman
Catholic and a Free Will Baptist In the same mo-
ment SO it was an equally fruitess task for newly
admitted converts 10 reconcile themselves to the
ideas OF Colonel William u. Greene Miss Phelps and
Jennie Collins. oil of whom while believing
the oppressor, We're Numerically opposite IN their
views as to the best method of administering relief
Hence arose a schsm IN the happy band, resulting
in the withdrawal OF Miss Phelps, ana the serving
upon Jennie Collins Of the following notice. which
send you, ''ce7bdtin co hteratn1 Ell DufctatQtsm:'
TO THE OCCULT PsIsoEssEs THE SOVEREIGN ORDEu
or E.. A.: j.. IN THE sEooSp DEGREE
evening March Bonns Bowerdid array herself
IN hostility to the Sovereign order of f. A. u and com
nit offence punishable under the ancient customs or the
order:-
the of the second after mature elaboration and
orderly action duly do hereby request ,ha. sister Col
bcrshp the second of the ORDER and that she be re-
Approved Petition granted Copy to be served 10 sister
~'"''' : b.. A.. j.. I'D t
The signature is followed by rude drawing Of a
pair OF scales and the date "March 81, 1S71o MISS
Collins established herself at Bafnn's Bower,
on Washington street, and MSS Phelps opened SINH
lar institution called the Maynower Hall, on WASH
ington street, cschewng all urtner connection with
tho society. Those WHO were lett, however, stlll
continue their work and are devsng all manner Of
plans for the requirement Of control over the nom
nations OF the labor reiormers AZ the next state con-
vention.
Among the documents which they are circulating
broadcast with the seal OF the order Is copy Of q
speech delivered by Mrs T. L. Daniels before the
present Legislature with an extract from which, to
show the character OF their publications, viii con-
clude this despatch:-
Gentlemen, the working women confde In the men.
hey believe In them; they put their trust them. When
the show to be devoid Of honor and honesty
happens working women ind ourselves To
II natural for DC cheated and swndled by
when the wolves In sleeps clothing. And
that far observation has extended the
worsngmen easily swindcd and almost as limo.
believe In the not shstandng what here; and
get bad that can't trust them more then