Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-03-08


Order"
The Assistant Foreman then ad-
dresses the candidate rs follows;
ASSISTANT FOREMAN, Stranger the
world has been hard and dreary for
you. After toiing hard all day, week
after week, month after month, year
after year. your compensation has
been so small as scarcely TO afford you
respectable living, whilst unprinciplcd
capitalists and their willing tools live
in luxury and grandeur at your OK
pense. You have appealed to them
time after time--you have done in that
way, all that you, as an honorable citi-
zen could do They have refused to
listen TO your appeals to their humani.
ty, and scorned your entreaties, and
now boast over their success in divid-
ling the council OF the workingmen OF
America SO that they could more easily
onslave and keep us in perpetual bond
age. There is but one remedy left us
Unless we Immediately demand our
rights, and secure them, We will lose
our liberties forever. That remedy Is
TO associate in one organization all the
workmen OF this Republic, nominate
our own men to represent us IN the
different offices, and then unitedly, as
one man, elect them; thus, by exer-
cising the legal and natural rights oi
American citizens, hurl our opprcssorS
from all political power. When the
proper time arrives, let us nominate
for Office only those who are obi
gated TO advance the best interests
Of the laboring class, and then unani
mously give such our hearty support
at the ballotbox.
"Eternal vigilance ia the only safo-
guard of our liberties and, my friend,
IL we wish TO maintain our liberties,
and the liberties of the people Of this
Republic, bequeathcd to us by the
Senior Sons Of '76, we the Junior Sons
Of '7G, must come to the rescue, and
by the exercise Of our rights rs free
men, defend ourselves and the people
Of this Republic from the curse Of ap-
preaching monarchy, anarchy and des.
potism.
"Frcc governments have been es-
tablished after repeated efforts and
long and bloody struggles, and have
been lost through carelessness and want
Of vigilance by the citizens. This, my
friend, will be the fate of this Republic,
il we any longer permit the unprinci-
Piled capitalist and his adhercnts to
tramplc on our rights. Such being
the fact, let us no longer remain blind
to the danger that is already upon us.
If we wait until the last shaclsle is
riveted upon our already fettered limbs,
before attempting our freedom, il will
then be too late Then, let us arouse
from our lethargy and unitedly go for
ward as q band Of sworn brothers, and
rescue and defend our rights and liber-
ties and the dreaded calamity will be
averted, and the glorious sun of liberty
shine with brighter efiulgencc than
ever before.
"Only those can be destroyed who
are first made blind who neglect their
duty as Treemen who desert their
posts as sentinels on the highway TO
freedom. My friend, it is duty in.
cumbent on us all, as workmen and
good citizens, TO lay aside all past par
tisan political feelings and prejudices,
and grasp hands in this great cause OF
Universal Liberty and Equality for
the laboring men OF America. IL has
been truly said that ale who would
be free must strike the first blow !" and
If we all do our sworn duty, il will be
but short time until the oppressors
Of Labor will be entirely under our
control.
"Then, | say to you, keep on in the
good and great cause you have espoused;
let no selfish motives interfere with
you in the performance Of the duties
you voluntarily impose on yourself by
joining this Order, but remain stead
fast ana truo, through esll aud gvVd
report, to your obligations, the casse
of Labor, your Family, your Country,
and final victory over your oppressors
awaits you.
The Assistant Foreman then in.
structs the Marshal to conduct the
candidate to the Foreman.
MARsHAL--"Friend, this is ourworthy
Foreman, who will instruct you in the
secret work Of our Order Be atten-
tive to what he may say"
Stranger, you have en-
tered an order, the great Importance
OF which now begins to dawn upon
your mind. 1t you are true work
lngman, and are true TO your nature
and interests, you will comprehend
how necessary 1t is that all workmen
should unite, organize and maintain
an association for their own protection.
Workingmens societies have been or.
ganlzed in all civilized portions OF the
globe, and where the evil spirit of cor
ruptlon has no crept into them through
the tools Of capitalists, they have been
productive OF much good.
when you have become member
OF our Order, yon are expected to hold
1t to do all in your power for the cle-
walton OF the laboring classes. If you
came here from mere idle curiosity, or
II you come as n hypocrite, hoping to
learn our secrets and divulge them to
the world, WE WARN you TO BEWARE,
Tor the day has arrived when the work.