The Portland daily press., 1875-12-23
O. A. u.


aroused the liveliest curiosity in the breasts
of the American people. There was mid
dle-age Rosicrucian appearance about it sug-
gestive to the Imaginative mind of secret
council chambers, and skulls, and daggers
and poison cups. The wrong-doer saw it
and shuddered, thinking the Vehmgericht
had come again. The child recognized IN it
the imprint of Bogy's claw. The merchant
of insecure credit regarded it with suspicion
as new device of the mercantile agency con-
trived to widely proclaim his bankrupt estate.
The politician of experience, remembering
1854, smiled and thought he saw in the mys-
terious scratches the footprints of "Sam."
After while it transpired that "St-1S6O-X'
simply meant bad whiskey.
1t is altogether reasonable to conclude that
the mysterious 30. A. U.," evolved from the
inner consciousness Of some imaginative Bo-
hemian on the New York Herald, is only
another oracle of the bottle, having its origin,
like its predecessor, in bad whiskey. The i'm
posing legend of Drake has been ingeniously
explained to mean "Started in trade in 1860
with ten dollars capital" No such meaning
can be wrested from o. A. u, which letters
appear to have started in trade in the cur
rent year with no capital at all. The Herald
says that the letters mean "Order of the
American Union" The discriminating
reader will be likely to regard them as a
"gag," and will with reason look to see the
Grand Paniandrum of the order derisively ex-
plain to the credulous neophyte as he puts
his thumb to his nose, that they are ad-
dressed to him and that they signify 80 ass
un nparalleledw
Of this "Order of the American Union,
described as 'political and stupendous," the
Herald gives an exposition nine columns in
length. According to that veracious sheet
the object of the organization is to "dsfran-
chise Roman Catholics" and "resist the ag-
gressions of Romanisn." The Herald, from
prudential or other motives, does not give
full expose of the Order and its objects.
There is the best authority attainable for say
ing that deep-laid plot is now being carried
out. On the 14th of January next the Pope
is to be abducted from Rome, brought to this
country, and tossed over Niagara Falls. On
the day that his execution comes
off general massacre of the Cath
olics in this country will take place.
Nor is the conspiracy confined to this coun-
try. The Order has struck hands with the
Greek Church, and holds its councils under
the very nose of the Gar. 1t holds meetings
in Berlin, under the sanction CT the grey
bearded Kaisar. Its lodge room in the Escu-
rial is daily busted by King Alphonzo, who
Is member, and in England Mr.. Gladstone
is the Grand Papjandrum. For revealing
this plot our informant will be contented
with nothing less than good fat bishopric.
But to return to the insufficient account of
the Herald The Order is governed by a
national council called the Senate, while the
state governments are called legislatures.
Its members are bound by fearful oaths.
The password is stated to be "Gladstone"--
evidently mis-print for 'sBlarney-stone."
''The sign of recognition is carelessly pluck
ing at your hair with your right haud; then
throw it off sideways" Of course no bald
headed men need apply. The initiatory cere-
monies are blood-curdling. The initiatory
fee is two dollars. The Herald says that
President Grant, Postmaster General Jewell
and Ex-Speaker Blaine are members of it.
Among the members of the Senate we notice
"Rev. Mr.. Eddy, Major Pangborn, John
Barbour. and Mr.. Winslow, editor of the
american Citizen, Portland, Maile." Great
Snakes! We do not notice the names of L.
F. Pingree and G. H. Haskell, and presume
they belong to the Legislature" The Order
is evidently ''horrid," and we call upon
President Grant, Ex-Speaker Blaine, and
Mr.. T. o. Winslow, eminent citizens, one
and all, to rise and explain.
Seriously speaking, no man will be deluded
by the columns of sensational trash which
the Herald publishes. The argus man turns
pale it is true, and furtively glances over his
shoulder, and shudders, and perhaps thinks
that tine cred fire. is veritable ccnfagra-
ton. But men with clear consciences will
laugh at the sensation. In this fuss, and
feather-loving nation there are doubtless
many men who delight to call themselves
most serene pterodactyl, or high and mighty
megatherium, and who are happy when ar
rayed in coats of many and incongruous
colors, and who delight to take oaths that
they do not understand and never intend to
keep. But the statement that President
Grant or Mr.. Blaine or any other man who
possesses brains enough to lift him into ma
tional prominence has gone masquerading
in any such guise as that attributed to the
go. A. U.," is too ridiculous for moments
credence.