The Portland daily press., 1875-12-14
Patriotic Order of Sons Of America.
The Principles of the Order-ssGod, Our
Country and Our Order.v

country and Our Order0
PORTLAND, Dec. Is, 1875.
| To the Editor Of the Press:
All have doubtless perused the letter as pub
lished in the Daily Argus of Dec. 10th, from
one Jno. I. Foster to Hon. J. G. Blaine, Past
Speaker, House of Representatives. The Argus
man, not to let good opportunity slip by to
so show himself, launches forth in an editorial
| squib, .and produces the following:
| doubts have been expressed in regard TO
| the genuineness of the letter from John I.
Foster to James G. Blaine, published else
where. We haye seen the letter and have not
| particle of doubt in regard to its authenticity
1t is equally certain that vigorous effort Is
| now making to extend this "secret anti Catho-
| lie ORDER in our own State under the title of
THE Patriotic Sons of America" While pro-
Tossing to be non-poltica, in order the better
to secure its spread, it is miserable attempt to
revive Know-nothngsm and the mischievous
bitterness of sectarian hate in order thus to d.
| vert attention from the corruptions and short
eomings of the men in power. Let all good
| citizens beware of It, and let it die the eaily
death which it richly merits"
This goes to show that he is wide of the
mark, and knows nothing whatever of that of
which be speaks. The following explains it
| self:
| fAIhlOIiC ORDER SONS OF AMERICA.
| This patriotic organization was first organ
lied in Philadelphia, in 1S47, but. prior to the
rebellion. its organization was very imperfect
| and its progress consequently Slow tho ramifi-
cations not extending much beyond the Middle
States, and when the war broke out, general
| enlistment of its members compelled its uni
versal suspension. In 1866, the organization
| was revived and placed upon a substantial
| basis and its members now seek 10 make 1t
what it should and must be, the organization
| OF the United States
The order has for its objects the incubation
of pure American principles; the opposition to
foreign interference with state interests in the
| United States of America; the cultivation of
traternal and brotherly love; the preservation
| of the Constitution of the United States, and
| the propagation of free education.
PREAMBLE OF THE ORDER
Whereas, The experience of all ages and all
| countries distinctly showetb, that popular lib.
| erty-born amid the din of battle, baptized in
| patriot blood, and rocked by the rude storms Of
| civil strife-demands for its preservation
| against the rage OF party spirit, the wiles of
ambftion, and the stern arm of power. the un-
| divided love of all her votaries, and the firm
| determination of all her friends in an eternal
| struggle with her foes.
proves that it is the business of one generation
| to sow the seed, of which another reaps the
harvest, let it be of grain or tares, of good or
evil.
|
America-children of its soil, reared beneath
the shadow of its flag, loving it as none other
| can love, knowing it as none other can know
aud having an interest in its future welfare
nearer, truer, deeper than all mankind beside,
do hereby associate ourselves into an Order for
the purpose of maturing ourselves in the
knowledge and encouraging each other in the
practice of our rights and duties as citizens of
country in which we are called to exercise
| among our fellow men, the common rights of
S0VlrpOntV Il vva
severally pledge ourselves to the observance
and support of the laws of the land and regula-
tions of this body, as becomes the sons of free
men, willing to submit to the restraints of
social order and acknowledging no other bonds
but those of duty to our God, our country, and
ourselves.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP.
No person shall be entitled to membership in
the Order, except he be of good moral charac-
ter, eighteen years of age, believer in the ex-
istence of a Supreme Being, as the Creator
and Preserver of the Universe; born on the
soil or within the jurisdiction of the United
States; in favor of free education; opposed to
any union of Church and State, and to the in
reference OF any foreign power, directly or in
directly, in the affairs of this government.
| EXPLANATORY.
The Patriotic Order Sons of AmerSa mas
now assumed position of pows.and IN iana- ia-
ence which not only gives a01,S sSoohs i, ias os
ability TO endure the chapssS anu s; soochs vi
time and fortune, but r. Mleiu & eIn.rori,ns e
ta%u tion esnesaPr an Iongh its stern and ndomta-
bic resolve to snield the educational system of
our land from bigoted and illegal sectarian in
fuence ,
ofits sick. the burial of its dead, the protection
of and assistance to all connected with it who
may be in need.
The patriotic love of country, which impels
a constant and vigilant watch over all that
country's laws and liberties, and determina-
tion that they shall neither be broken nor con-
temned with impunity by home traitors or alien
malcOntents.
Believing that the American born naturally
feel most attached to their native land, we,
therefore, consider that while working hand in
hand with that class of foreignes who believe
in free education, and the free principles OF our
government, we do not conceive their admission
to our Order either necessary or advsa-
BILE, particularly as there are other kindred o..
ganizations in which they can do good in their
own way.
We are proscrptive, not for prescriptions
sake, but to preserve harmony in our ranks, ,and
to preserve the character of the Order as insti-
tuted by its wise and thoughtful originators.
We have no partiSdn-politicat claims, obligo-
tons or intentions. Our constitution is plain
and easily understood, contradicting none, but
sustaining all of the constitutional laws of our
country.
The Regalia, a sash of red, white and blue,
studded with stars, like our country's banner,
is simple, beautiful and apprOprlele.
The ceremonies are all founded on the history
Ofour beloved Tatiue land
In name, in deed. and in all our objects we
strive to be purely and truly-Patriotic Sons OF
America.
1t is simply absurd to make such a statement
as "whe protesting to be non political in or
der the better to secure its spread" it is
miserable attempt to revive know nothiDgism."
1t is false in every particular, as the above ex-
planation will show. 1 invite all good citizens
of Portland and vicinity to investigate the
matter of who and what the patriotic Order
Sons of America are. / will furnish our
National Constitution, Bylaws and Local
By Laws, and can very. readily convince the
most weak minded that the statement alluded
o above is entirely without foundation, and
cannot be "backed up" as the history of the
organization, of which am proud am mem
ber of, will plainly show.
Yours Respectfully
PRESIDENT WASHINGTON CAMP, No4
Literary Notes.
The history of few railroad accidents is so