The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-01-13
New Know.Nothings.

New Know-Nothings.
The recent publication of letter from
John Y. Foster, New Jersey editor, to
ex-Speaker Blaine touching the teuets
and purposes of secret order known as
the 0. A. U., having caused great deal
of comment, the New York Herald has
investigated the subject with its accus-
toned thoroughness, and publishes two
pages about the result. 1t reports that
the cabalistic initials stand for the Order
of the American Union, an organization
having for its aim political opposition to
Roman Catholics, particularly with refer
ence to the school question. The Herald
says:
1.-THE order is. believed to be in the
hands of Grant and Blaine. E. Cowles,
from Cleveland, member of the National
, Executive Committee, which met at the
st. Nicholas Hotel last week, went to
Washington last Thursday night to ini-
tiate Blaine and talk with the President.
Grant will be run by the order for
third term, as political necessity
Most of the men employed by the Gov
ernment in the post Offices and custom
houses are believed to be members of the
Order. Plenty of money has been OBJ
tanned to carry out the operations. Chief
Justice Dunn, of Arizona, was removed,
it is alleged, by command Of the Ameri-
can Union, because he was Papist. 1t
is also said that Tom Murphy, of New
York, was asked to resign the Collector
ship for the same reason, but of this there
ir rona roo ocon fo douht ~
MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION.
The total membership throughout the
country at present is said to be 76,S11.
The largest number in any one State is
found in the State of New York, the
strength of the Order being 81 ,217. New
York State has forty-three Councils;
Ohio, twenty-one; New jersey, nine
teen; Illinois, sixteen; Pennsylvania,
thirteen; Connecticut, seven; Maine,
four; Vermont, two; New Hampshire,
three; California, five; Michigan, seven;
and the Order is increasing rapidly in
every State. Hundreds are being initia-
ted every day. There are subordinate
bodies or lodges, for the purpose of
spreading membership. To become a
member of the Order one must be pro-
posed by an active member in good
standing in the Council. His name is
handed over to committee who makes
the most searching inquiries about his
probable antagonism to, or sympathy for,
Romanism.. If reported favorably by
them to the Council the candidate is bal
lotted for, and, if duly elected, initiated.
President Grant is a member of the Or
der, having been privately initiated by
Special Deputy Edgar few days before
he delivered military speech on the
school question at Des Moines. Ex-
Speaker Blaine is the baby in the Order
having been initiated 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 ceremonies.
The rallying cry of the American Union
is "Grant and the third term" No mon
ey is needed, for it is understood that
plenty of it is coming from Washington.
SECRET PROCEEDINGS.
A detailed report of the ceremonies of
opening and closing council and initia-
ting a candidate is given. The table,
which stands in the centre of the room,
is covered with the United States flag,
and on it is placed an open Bible. In
the ante-room a candidate is interrogated
as follows: I. Will you support the con-
stitution of the 0. A. u? II. Are you
in sympathy with Roman Catholicism ?
III. Are you in favor of the Bible in our
free schools? Nv. Are you in favor of
our free school system? V. Are you
opposed to sectarian schools, the Roman
Catholic in particular? vi. Are you
opposed to the division of the school fund
for any sectarian purposes? VII. Will
you pledge yourself to use your vote and
influence to retain the Bible in the pub
lie schools and all other public institu
tions? VIII. If fadmitted into this Or
der American Union will you pledge
yourself to do your utmost to prevent the
election of any Papist to any Office of
honor or trust? TX. Do you promise to
use all lawful means to advance the prin-
ciples of Protestanism x. Are you
willing to subscribe your name 20 the
truth of these declarations?
The answers proving satisfactory, the
Marshal says, 'Then tarry here while l
make known your answers"
THE OBLIGATION TAKEN.
While the candidate enters blindfolded
and is conducted around the room the
members sing, "My Country 'Tis of
Thee" At the conclusion of the singing
the candidates are placed in front of the
altar, their right hands on the Bible
The President then administers the fol-
lowing oath:
Il, in the presence of Almighty
God and these witnesses, do solemnly
swear Tor afirm) that will support and
defend the Constitution of the United
States and of this State; that will obey
the Constitution and laws; that will
not knowingly vote for, recommend, nor
appoint, nor assist in electing or appoint
ing Romanist or Papist, or any person
sympathizing with the Romish Church,
to any political Office of honor or trust
whatsoever; that will oppose to the ut
most of my power all attempts to use the
public funds for any sectariau purpose
whatever, and will ever maintain the