The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-31
A POLITICAL SENSATION.
KNOWNOTHINGISM RRECI
Ed CHlCAg
RRECT.
As "The Sons Of Ame, Whose
Special Mission Is to Fight
the Catholic Church.

CHICAGO, Ill, DC ober 30.-Unde
the heading OF a Sensation ia Loca
Pol tics" the Daily News this morn
ing, says: 1t is Lot generally known
toat there exists in Chicago two socie
ties which ara directly the outgrowth
of the "Knownothing" political party
which reached the zenith of it's power
and entered the decade Of its death in
1856 Dat Of its ashes have risen in
later years the patriotic Sons o.
America" and the UNITED Order oil
Deputies" The principles and objects
OF these societies are the same as those
of the cd party. They aim to pro-
mote the election of native born
Americans to the offices OF the Gov
eminent and oppose foreign interior
ence with State interests; to foster
public education through the medium
OF free schools; 10 oppose the union of
Church and State, and ecclesiastical
interference with public affairs. Both
orders declare that there shall be no
determination against the American
in his own land in favor OF the alien;
urge that every man shall Iema' n
here twenty-one years before being
permitted to vote; that the American
shall be preferred to any foreigner for
such officss as are the gift OF the
people. The main object, in
ehort, is to prevent the election
to political office of all foreigners.
Both orders confer degrees and enioin
secrecy upon their members, who are
sworn not to vote for any foreign born
candidate ior Office. There are nine
"camps" of the "Sons of America" in
Chicago, claiming a membership Of
about 1900 votes, and several "Couu-
ellis" OF the Omitted Order Of Depu-
ties" The "Order OF Deputies" are
taking very active interest in the pres
ent campaign, and by means of secret
circulars and private meetings are en-
deavoring TO work upa -. sgaibst
foreign born candidates, .tieularly
those Of the Roman Ca thoIic faith.
They have issued circular on which
are printed the Democratic, Repub-
lican and union labor tickets. Each
candidates name is marked with a
peculiar sign, and members of the or.
der have key which shows them
whether the candidate is an enemy,
sympsthizer with the enemy, member
or friend. A Ne,0s reporter gained
possession OF the passwords and signs,
and Thursday night attended a meet
ing of the order, the pro-
ceedings OF which are pub
lished, together with the osths
administered to candidates, etc. One
member, who is prominent resident
Of the West Side, addressing the meet
ing, said: 81 am a firm believer in
keeping out of office all foreigners
where an American born of the
proper belief is in the field. / am for
Americans on guard, gentlemen, first,
last and all the time" The chairman
of the meeting said the strength OF the
organization in Cook county was in
the thousands. But" he added, "the |
latest rules OF the Supreme Council |
are to keep the strength Of our organ
iZltion a secret, even from the main |
body of our own members. Next |
spring it will be impossible to estimate |
where our members or our strength |
will end 1t will surprise, not only |
the people of this city, but the entire |
Union. Our strength will be known |
when it is felt,and can only be under
stood by its results in the elections.
A pan OF work was agreed upon, the
main features being to oppose foreign
ers at the present election; to organize
for the spring campaign; to purge the
city government Of foreigners, and to
secure the election Of members to the
who will favor the taxation
Of church property.