New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-14
$4,000. Baldwin q married with family and is
25 years of age.
JOHN 4. FOSTER REPLIES.

HIS LETTER To THE HoN. JAMES O. BLAiNE-WHAr
MIR. POSTER KNOWS ABOUT AN ANTi-CArnoLIO
ORGANIZATION.
To the Editor or The Tribune.
SIR: On or about tho 1st of November last
addressed personal and confidential note TO the Hon
James q. Blaine Of Maine, and the day on which 1t
written deposited IL in the PosOce In this city To
that letter somewhat to my surprise, receyeda
word Of reply from Mr.. Blaine. and mis- silence is ex-
planned by the fact that the letter stolen from the
mails other way surreptitiouy seized by the
Democratic editor in Maine who has para I'd his own
shame in publishing IT. The lowest order OF pickpocket
pfering for the OF livelihood fails 10 return
private aud memoranda that may be found in the
stolen porte monnae. The Democratic editor in Maine,
whose name am glad do not know, has shown hmsefto
have OF honor than the thieves That nest the
sums Of NewYork. Had possessed the first spark Of
honor or OF decency he would have returned private
letter either 10 the writer to the person to whom II
was addressed. II is in many respects more dishonor-
able to appropriate private letter than TO steal pri
yate purse and it certainly that the who will
do the first will not hesitate, under favoring circuln-
stances to resort to the srcOud.
so far the public has any interest In this matter, 10
seems TO center upon statement Of the published letter
that there is in existence secret antscctaran order
which will doubt exert a potent influence in the
next Presidential election The confidential letter
written by TO Mr. Blaine did incidentally refer 20 the
existence OF order OF this description not from any
actual personal knowledge but upon the strength Of
common rumor and OF certain information impaired 70
me- the confidential nature OF which felt under obliga-
tons to respect did not aud do not personally know
that there ia any secret political antCatholc" order,
here or elsewhere, out every man Of ordinary intell-
geDce in NewJersey from published reports OF
the existence OF an Order-the United American
Mechanics-which. while rigdly excluding partisan
politics from Ito councils, has It's cardinal principle
hostility TO all secaran interference In political affairs,
.a Vlff
school system. have been told and believe that this
order stimulated by the msoent attempts OF the Roman
sts In NewJersey, Ohio and elsewhere to convert our
public reformatores, established and maintained by the
public moneys, into sectaran institutions, with affairs,
eoniessionals, and masses, has within the last
year two grown rapidly in membership
and Is still growing in numbers and influence.
Why should statement Of these facts provoke such
tremendous outburst OF horror from the Democratic
newspapers Have they not for mouths persisted IN
saying that there organization OF this sort
Did hey not believe their own declarations when they
made themi But my letter did not state. aud ii is not
true. that this order exists within the Republican
party, in any way any extent controlled by
Republican politicians" It II composed. understand
it, ~ both Republicans and Democrats and OF men Of all
religious beliefs whose common bond of union II the de
termination to preserve institutions nom stctdfan
domination aud especially TO repel all aggressions upou
tue educational system which s The only sure source Vi
pure and enlightened government
The published letter advises Mr.. Blaine TO become
ter what of it might also suggest to Mr. Blaine thar
10 would be well for him inquire bF what dsreputdblc
the editor OF The Name SdadGTd obtained pos
session OF BIS private correspondence but respectfully
submit that nobody f. esponsbe for the suggestion but
my,e and that the public can have no possible interest
IN the matter.
am not called upon IN engage ia any discussion ~ the
question OF tie compatibility OF secret societies WIN
republican form Of government. IT viii DE suihcient To
suggest that objection. on this point with poor
grace from the organs OF party which u largely cOu-
troen by the secret society Of u. 1mnnnJ1 society
which. ny its nenchman. only ono week ago elected MI.
Kerr speaker VI the House OF Representatives, and
pag ed the way. hopes for Gov Tjldcns nomna-
lion for resident in 1876. And may add for myself
II any body To know my OpniOn-tnat holding our
institutions 10 be nestimaby precious ana believing
with Disrae that the highest dury Of the modern Chris
tan citizen is to BY LIBERAL nonsecarian ed1-
cation tie development snd uplifting vi his individual
fellows, rather than to eXpend his strength IN building
dp creeds and systems, consider all associations,
whether secret TO be defenslbe winch look 10 t
preservation institutions and the removal OF all
burdens and which impede the elevation or
prevent the utmost possible growth OF every individual
nan--Of whatever nationality or creed or cOlor-whom
they may in any wise influence or affect; Very truly
yours. JOHN l. tpslEk
eL I