The New York herald., 1875-12-23

members acted up 70 the spirit and letter OF their
obligations there would have been clvil war In
.nis ano DelleSe mos. scehny anaa 'ns ne rshs,c
hierarchy OF the South. But we will not be slaves IN
this country we are all freemen and mean 70 exercise
rights such, not politicians barganers, but
in that spirit OF patriotic duty which becomes every
American citizen"
The reporter here inquired minuely from Mr. Mum as
TO the method proposed u be used by the Order OF he
American Union to repel the advances OF Cathonclyi
but did not elicit ANYTHING definite In response 70 lhe
question as 10 whether the members OF the Union con-
fined themselves exclusively 10 the suuyeot " lne
schools Mr. Mum admitted that they did not Our
meetings said Mr. Mum, just like those OF deoat
ing society When the Catholics start anythihg IN
their attempt 70 gain an ssoenaancy we discuss
TO aggression We propose measures 10 meet the diff
hculty.
in which the grip given by members, but that gen.
tleman persisted in denying that there any such
thing grip at all in connection with the organza
iion, The most that Mr. Mum would say that the
initiation was much the same as In other secret
organizations He thought that there about
5000 members of the 20. A. U. /" in this city.
DR. NEWTON, SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATURE
The reporter next called Or. Robert Newton, OF
No. 1877 West Fory-seventh street.. the President or
Speaker OF the New York Legislature 20 A. u,
different style OF man altogether from Brother Mum
Dr. Newton, as is well known, has been very actively
engaged for time past in advancing the interests
OF the American Common School League, and
been held in this city When DR.. Newton was asked
about the 20 A u" he at admitted the existence
OF the organization but limited the sphere Of It's opera
tons to the school controversy and to its benevolent
obligations to members and others. The Order, he
said is very old one, probably dating back
enteen years Like the Order OF United Americans and
some other kindred organizations which have sprung
up from time TO time its purposes purely patriotic
There is no intention to make any sect creed
is there any attempt to be made to bring social
political warfare in this any other community.
The members neither opposed TO Catholics TO
any protesting Christian account OF difference Of
ligous views have they, body, the slightest i'll
will toward Roman Catholics and least OF all would
they oppose the right OF the latter to free and
restricted practice OF their religion But thing they
resolved upon-the Bible must be retained in the
public schools II the Roman Catholic hierarchy
choose to raise question upon this point no one will
dispute their right TO do So The Catholic priests have
the right, If they can do so, TO carry their
point in regard to the school question; for,
it is their business to advance as seems best to them
the interests OF the religion they profess and that is
just what they doing. But remember that the
Catholics IN this entire country number only 100000
while the Protestants of all denominations number
about As 000 900. Now the question is a very simple
and does not such gigantic proportions and
dangers as at first might appear The difcuty is an
old but has been much exaggerated for It Is plain
that five cannot control and command forty In q
matter Of such great interest to all the people
q sturdy fight going and something OF scare,n
'It Is true that there has been much anxiety but II
only needed to the attention OF the people
to the subject in order TO MAINTAIN the long established
custom Of having the Bible in the schools l speak of
what know when tell you that the Bible will remain
in the schools OF this country beyond all doubt.
know that at this moment such are the influences
which at work, ready for immediate action that
the very first demand by the Catholic authori-
ties for the abolition of this revered association Of
school system as IL has down to that the
suits might be very serious and to be depored. Ono
thing you may rely upon repeat is that the Bible will
be retained in the public schools of this country The
people will demand this at all hazards"
1T is said Doctor" inquired the reporter, ''that
President Grant is a member of the %. A. UY'"
II am in position to be able TO deny that emphati
cally. The President is not member of the organZa
tion. But he is sound the school question He be-
leves that the Bible ought TO be in every school in the
land in accordance with the custom which has pre-
vailed since the common school system estab
lishedu
''Do you think the school question is to be mixed up
with the third term ~
81 am sure don't know but Grant will fight ont II
he goes into the battle in favor of the Bible in the
schools, beyond all question"
1T is also said that ex-Speaker Blaine Is member
Of the organization
''Why that is too funny. Blaine is the ablest
Speaker, perhaps the country has ever had. He is
one Of the astutest politicians and would not dream OF
joining such organization at time critical to his
political fortunes. No, Mr. Blaine is not member"
''What do you think, Doctor, of these statements In
the ritual of the Order which contain much bitter
ness toward Roman Catholictyf ~
''0h that's mistake. The organization Is almost
solely devoted to the question OF the Bible in the pub
lie schools, and there is more feeling in the whole
matter than TO prevent any tampering with the insti
tuition of schools 1t has come down to That
secured, there is no bigotry. may also add that in
regard the meetings Of the Order there Is really
little secrecy. Our meetings are held in room in
Livingston place"