New-York tribune., 1875-12-22
THE NEW KNOW- W-NOTRING ORDER.

BE MEMBERS OF tan ANrI-cATH0LIC
THIRD-TERN ORGANIZATION.
In IN elaborate article published yesterday,
The Herald gives what it terms the real facts regard
ing the Order OF the American Unionthe organization
TO which John Y probably referred in his letter to
exspeaker Blaine The Order has for ts aim decided
and persistent social and political upon all Roman
Catholics in this country IL is to oppose the extension
Of the Church Of Rome. the prevention OF Catholic c
from holding office and for the purpose Of carrying
out settled plan Of campaign in favor
OF the election OF President Grant for
u third term" According 10 this version.
President Grant Is member OF the Order. having been
privately initiated by SPECIAL Deputy Edgar few days
before he delivered his military speech on the scnool
question a Des Moines ExSpeaker Blaine Is the BABY
in the order. having been initiated only few days ago
by special Deputy +. COwes, who sentby the Exec
tive Committee from the St. Nicholas Hotel last week to
Washington to perform tho ceremony" Postmaster
General Jewell and Gov Hayes OF Ohio also said to
be members of the Order but the statement seemingly
rests q slender basis. Tho Constitution ana forms Oh
initiation. while they contain direct evidence OF
'thirdtem conspiracy" disclose the anti-Catholic
spirit of the organization.
The Order OF the American Union organized in
1867 TO dsfranchise Roman Catholics and 10 prevent
them from holding office" The fundamental principles OF
the Order thus defined in the preamble to its consti
tuition
In OF the intoerant persistent aggressive efforts
Government Of the United States and tn destroy our
evil and religious liberty, we declare ourselves sdherehs
10 the following propositions, VIZ: 49, -,
First That any interference in political affairs ny any
body of men acting in behalf or by direction OF
organization opposed TO that principle of civil and re-
gous equality fought for by our fathers ana gurahteeu
By National Constitution.
second That any recognition Of sectarian questions or
snctons I'm the Of our public educational
rcfOrmaiOry institutions, or in pOntlcal ahlrs Is Up
posed to the spirit Of our INSTITUTIONS. ~, c.,.,,
Third That there is danger that the Roman Catholic
hIrgh
and demanding frOm their adherents an arrogance par
mount to that given 10 the state may take ADVANTAGE
they have the pastof the equality allowed TO
them in common with other forms Oh RELIGIOUS nleo 40
strive for political influence for the purpose OI advancing
the interests of the church. 49,,
Therefore. that organization have introduced TINS
ssue political affairs in various sections OF our c0un-
tIy and urging their reception 9s an element IN
political prObems, and demanding special legislation Tor
their own benefit further declare IL TO DE our cOhvc
that Americans should organize TO oppose such
attempts
It's in the forms Of initiation however that the spirit
Of organization finds s most direct expression The
name candidate for admission TO the Order Is pro-
posed by an active member and an examining commit
tee makes the searching inquiries in regard to MS
antagonsm TO or sympathy with the Roman Cathohc
Church on the night Of initiation table in the center
of the odge-room covered with the United States nag
and on it is placed the Bible. The password Glad
stone present-then goes around and tho candidate is
asked the following questions
l. Will support the Constitution OF the Order OF the
American UnOnf -, ,,-,,
I'LL Are you in favor Of the Bible in our free schools
". Are you in favor of our free school systemf
V. Are you opposed to sectaTan schools tho roman
VI Are YOU opposed the division Of tho school fund
VII viii You pledge yourself your vote and in,
uenco TO retain the Bible in the public schools and AL
VIII II admitted INTO Order of the American Union
Will you pledge II 20 20 % 9u oS "onor 20 or '0
TX DO you promise to use all lawful means to advance
the principles of PrOtestantismi ,
Ara M
of these declaratlOnsf
The first verse OF America" is then sung and second
series of questions il asked additional test Of the
candidates sincerity The questions are these
l. Do you believe in the perpetuaon Of this glorious
= Are YOU opposed to the political power Of the Church
u 3 Are YOU in favor Of our free school system
you in favor OF the Bible being kept IN the public
s. Are you opposed to the appropriation OF prblc
money for seetaran m pn phaian nat
cal Office !
The following oath is then administered by the Presi
dent Of the Council:
l. in the presence of Almighty Cod and these wit
pe,se, do solemny swear or affirm tnat viii support
and the Constitution Of the United states aud OF
this state; thai Will seep inYiolale the secrets o ts
Order Of the American Union 80
That will obey the Constitution and laws that VIII
not knowingly vote for. recommend nor appoint, nor
assist in eecng appointing Romais or Papist or
any person sympathlzing with the homlsn Chuten M 70
auy political office of honor trust whatsoever thht
will oppose the utlnost Of my power all attempts 20
the public funds sectafian purpose
ever and Will maintain the great principle OF one
general unsectarian free school organization. -,
That will permit my children 10 be brought up IN
Romish school of re gious secular instruction; that
| viii never propose, nor second the proposition nor
initiate or cause be initiated into this Order A. l. any
ROmanist Papist knowing MN 10 De 50; that VIII
never reveal Detray any secret tn may De entrusted
nrusted to by any brother Of the same; that will
never any Of the signs. grips words, PASSWORDS or
may be made known 90 the unniiiated All TINS Nolun-
tary PROMISE declare and swea without hesitation Or
mental reservation. so help me God
The members OF tho council then repeat the following
words:
To perpeuate the American Union 70 oppose the
power OF the Church OF Rome 10 sustain our free. l
money for sectaran purposes oppose the election Of
Papists TO political oilice-to all OF which pledge my
God.
The primary bodies the Order called councils of
which there 43 in NewYOrk, 21 In Ohio, 10 III New
Jersey I6 in Illinois, I3 in Pennsylvania in Connec
cnt in Maine, in Vermont, in New-Iiampshire in
California, and in Michigan. The total membership in
this country is said to 10000. The strength OF
the Order in NewYork is 21,0 900 Thore are State
and National governing bodies. The former are known
a. Legislatures, and the latter IL called the Senate The
President of the Senate is George d. Weeks OF Brookn
the Secretary is Henry J. Holt, printer Of No. 81
yassaust Among the members OF the Senate named by
The Herald exGOy. Newell OF NewJersey the Rev
DR. Eddy Jersey City: Major Pangborn OF Jersey City
T. Cowles OF Cleveland; DIR. Van Epps Of Cleveland
Ohio; the Rev. DR.. FOrbush Unitarian), Cleveland,
Ohio the Rev Dr. White of Illinois. The President of
the New-Yor Legislature of the Order Dr. Newton Of
No 1877 West Forty-seventh-st, New-fork
George F. Edgar in letter TO The editor OF The Ertn
ing Mail. says:
This mornings Herald has imperfect erpose OF the
Order of the American Unon in which 1t is stated that
National Deputy Edgar initiated Grant privately, also
Posmaster-Iirnera Jewell" This IN not fact; nor, in
the belief OF the National officials are either OF the above
gentlemen members OF this Order Ny individual opn-
ion is those who do not wish President Grant 10
be do not their attacks on him for the
nostOn in his Dea Moines speech and his late
message he will be- in spite OF them and all the friends
of Pins TX combined.