The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-12-31
The New knOw-NOthing Order,

In an elaborate article Tile ". Y. Herald
gives what it terms the "real facts" regard.
ing the Order Of the American Unon-the
organization to which John Y. Foster proba-
bly, referred in his letter to Ex.Speaker
Blaine, urging him to join. The Order "has
for its aim a decided and persistent social and
political war upon all Roman Catholics in this
country. tits to oppose the extension of the
| Church of Rome, the prevention of Catholic
citizens from holding office, and for the pur-
pose of carrying out settled plan of cam.
paign in favor Of the election of President
Grant for third term" According to this
version, "Presidcnt Grant is q member of
the Order having been privately initiated by
Special Deputy Edgar few days before he
delivered his military speech on the school
question at Dcs Moincs. EX-Spcaker Blaine
is the baby in the Order, having been initia.
ted only few days ago by Special Deputy
E. Cowles, who was sent by the Executive
Committee from the ST. Nicholas Hotel last
week to Washington to perform the ceremo-
NY" Postmaster General Jewell and Gov.
Hayes of Ohio are also said to be members
OF the Order. The constitution and forms of
initiation, while they contain no direct evil
dcnce of "third,tcrm conspiracy" disclose
the anti-Cathoiic spirit of the organization
The Order of the American Union was Or
ganized in 1867 "lo disfranchise Roman
Catholics and to prevent them from holding
office" The fundamental principles of the
Order are thus defined in the preamble TO
its constitution:
"ln view of the intolcrant, persistent, ag-
gressive efforts of Romanists and their evil
dent determination to control the Govern
ment of the United States, and to destroy our
civil and religious liberty, we declare our.
selves adhercnts TO the following PROPOSE
tions, viz:
First: That any interference in political
affairs by any man OF body of men acting i'm
behalf or by direction of any ecclesiastical
body or power, for the benefit of such or
ganization, is opposed TO that principle of
civil and religious equality fought for by our
fathers and guaranteed by our National Con.
stitution.
Second: That any recognition of sccta-
rian questions or distinctions in the manage.
ment of our public educational or rciorma-
tory institutions, or in political affairs, is OPP
posed TO the spirit OF our institutions.
"1htrd: That there is danger that the
Roman Catholic Church profcssedly body
superior to all governments, and demanding
from their adherents an allegiance para
mount to that given to the State, may take
advantageous they have done in the past
of the equality allowed to them in common
with other forms of religious belief, TO strive
for political influence for the purpose of adj
vancing the interests of the church.
wherefore, MS that organization have in
troduced this issue into political affairs in
various sections of our country, and are urg
ing their own recognition as an clement in
political problems, and demanding specal
legislation for their own benefit, we further
declare it TO be our conviction that true
Americans should organize to oppose such
attempts"
1t Is in the forms Of initiation, however,
that the spirit of the organization fines its
most direct expression. The name of the
candidate for admission to the Order is pro-
posed by an active member, and an examin-
ing committee makes the most searching in
quiries in regard 10 his antagonism TO or
sympathy with the Roman Catholic Church. |
On the night of initiation table in the CEN
ter of the lodge room is covered with the
United States flag and on it is placed the
Bible. The pass word-"Gladstonc at pres
goes around and the candidate is
asked The following questions;
l. Will you support the Constitution of
the Order of the American Union?
III. Are you in sympathy with Roman
Catholicism
III. Are you in favor of the Bible in our
free schoolsp
". Are you in favor of our free school
system
V. Are you opposed TO scctarian schools,
The Roman Catholic in particulars
vi. Are you opposed to the division ofthe
school fund for any sectarian purposesg
VII. Will you pledge yourself to use your
vote and influence to retain the Bible in the
public schools and all other public instilu-
ions?
VIII. If admitted into this Order of The
american Union will you pledge yourselfto