The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-02-21
For he[BIOomfeld Times.
DUNoANNoN, Feb. 10th 1871.
Il ii Il RED MEN.
BY ONE OF THEM.

MI Eultor-lne origin ana progress
of the Improved Order of Red Men 1t
originated in the year 1912, at Fort Milf
film, on the Delaware River. None but
soldiers were admitted The question
naturally arises, why was this society Or
ganized, or what was the motive which
prompted its organization. 1t will be re-
membered by some, that during this pc
riod Of our country's history, there were
two parties-the war party and the anti
war party. Between these two factions
there had arisen bitter animosity, which
spread itself in such a manner as to cause
good deal of alarm. 1t found its way
in the fort, and soon began to disseminate
its demoralizing influence among the sol
diers. The same spirit of hatred, strife,
and distrust which had embittered the
feelings of the too conflicting factions
outside soon began to manifest itself
among the soldiers. Captain james II.
Barker, who was commandant of the fort,
and Lieutenant Williams, viewing with
apprehension and fear the threatening
consequence of the powers at work among
the soldiers to their country and its free
institution, and rising above the machina-
tions of party to the level of patriotism
proposed and effected among the soldiers
the organization of the society above
referred to, and fortified it by signs, grips,
and passwords, the object OF which was
to dispel discard, and discriminate friend
ship. Their efforts were attended with
the happiest results, for in very short
time after the organization was completed
a marked change was visible in the tone
and temper of the garrison, etc.
The order, while confined to the SOL
diers Of Fort Mitilin. was no doubt polit-
ical in its character, it having grown out
of the bitterness of feeling engendcred
between the two conflicting factions out
side, but thank God, if it was political in
its character, it was on the side of right
and patriotism, and was national in its
purposes and designs, proving itself a
most powerful agent for the government
in dispelling the gloom which then hung
around the national horison, and in
bringing about peace and joy. Brother
Red Men, you may well feel proud of the
origin of your order. 1t is American in
its origin, in its teachings in its objects,
and in its purposes. The members of
our charitable organization may boast of
their ability to trace their origin away
back to the past, and glory in the idea of
being able to associate with the master
spirits Of long past ages but ask what
is all their boasting, compared with the
knowledge brought home to us, that our
order had its origin in America That
patriotism gave it its first impulse, and
that it was reared up under the blessed
influences of free institutions and that
its first votaries were to be found battling
in the sacred cause of freedom, and for
the rights of man.
At the close of the war the society in
the fort was necessarily abandoned, its
original object having ceased, and the
volunteers being compelled to separate
and return to their homes But the
principles inculcated by that society had
made lasting impression upon their
hearts, and they found after they had re-
sumed the peaceful pursuits of life, that
they could not resist the charms of the
association, which seemed to have COM
plete control over them. They deter
mined, Or at least many Of them did, to
effect a Reorganization of the society,
based upon the pure principles Of friend
ship. Accordingly, some time during
the year 1917, a call was inserted in one
or more of the Philadelphia papers for a
council Of Red Men, which resulted in
the organization of what was subsequent
ly known as the Tribe of Columbia of
the Society of Red Men of Pennsylva-
MIA, but, subsequently, owing to corro-
ding element which was introduced into
the society, the Tribe Of Columbia, and
also the branch tribes, generally, through
out the several states, lost their power for
good. In May, 1885, the order was
placed upon proper footing, and com
plete organization was affected. This
was brought about by a meeting of the
past sachems and representatives selected
for that purpose, who convened in the
old "wgwam," on Thames Street, Fell
Point, Baltimore. The order was now
shorn of its political character, military
SUGGESTIONS and titles abandoned, and
new ones adopted in their stead The
organization was affected without regard
to, or apparent knowledge of, the frater-
nifty elsewhere. The order thus clothed
with new power and proper authority
and taking for its motto freedom, .triend-
slip, and CHARITY, started out into the
world upon its broad mission of love-
The'good it has accomplished since it was
thus endowed. cnn hnrdlY be estimated