The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-06-21
1T RAISED A ROW.
The Convention Of the Patriotic Sons
of America Ask Leave to State
Their Position.
They Quote Their Declaration Of Prin-
cipIes as an Answer to Certain
Recent Charges.
Their Presidents Address Defended and
the Badge Incident at the White House
Dismissed a. a Tribe.

WASHINGTON. June 20.-At the after
noon session Of the Patriotic sons Of
America the following was prepared fol
the press: To the Press OF America: In
view Of the fact that the principles Of this
order and the objects of It's existence have
been incorrectly presented, and inasmuch az
an incident connected with the presiden-
tial reception has been misrepresented. this
national camp requests fair and impartial
consideration Of our declaration of princi-
ciples.
Article l. Next to love for the Creator.
We believe patriotism is the highest and
nOblest affection OF the human soul. We
believe the institutions OF no country are
safe without patriotic citizens and that
none will so jealOuSly guard and protect
them as these who are born and reared
under their influence. We believe we have
the best form of government for the masses
on the face of the earth.
Article p For the welfare, prosperity
and liberty of all American citizens and
their descendants, we desire TO protect our
form Of government and preserve ft intact
from the Influence of any foreign power by
disseminating the sentiments of loyalty
and patriotism. by establishing fraternal
feeling and devotion TO country amongst
all Americans. We hope 10 I-ske il inn
possible for any one to live under the pro
teetian of the stars and Stripes who does
not honor and revere it, and who would
not be willing 10 give up his life in defense
of the principles of freedom and justice
which lt represents.
Article We desire to sustain the
purity of the ballot and TO have il intelli-
gently aad legitimately used.
Article 4. We believe our system of free
public schools is the bulwark of our liberty
and we insist that they be kept absolutely
free from all ecclesiastical and sectarian
Influences. and under the influence of local
secular officers, elected by the people.
Article 5. We cordially welcome all
those foreigners who come to this country
with the honest desire of becoming legaI
American citizens, and who sincerely dis
avow any and all allegiance 70 foreign
pOtentates and governments, and who
honor and revere our national flag.
Article 8. We are opposed TO the Occu-
psncy of any part of our land by foreign
speculators or adventurers who do not
wish to become citizens, and we believe all
the resources and privileges of the country
should be reserved for the exclusive use Of
citizens, either native or naturalized.
Article z. We are in favor of crushing
out that which is already here, and of tax
ing measures which wiz prohibit from en-
trance into our ports in future that foreign
element which comes here to advocate
communism and nihiIism, which does not
Identify itself with our country and does
not respect our flag.
Article s. We invite all native born citi-
Institutions and who desire 10 perpetuate
free government, and who wish TO encOur-
age brotherly feeling among Americans TO
the end that we may eXalt our country. 20
join with US in this our work of fellowship
and love.
We call the especial attention of those
reporters who have styled us as "know-
and ''anti-Catholics," to article
8, and quote from our official declaration,
that I'VE have no quarrel with any man on
account Of nationality and religion, but we
wish 20 accord equal justice TO all Ameri-
can citizens"
The article from the address of our ma
tiOnal president, so extensively quoted, re-
quires no apology, and this order in ma
tional convention assembled unhesitatingly
declares there is no room in this republican
government for any organ zation under
whatsoever name which advocates and
practices murder and assassination, and
we believe every intelligent citizen, native
or foreign born. who has read the evidence
presented 10 the cOrODer's jury of Chicago,
relative to the Cronin murder. has felt this
to be true, and that their existence is a
constant menace To our government.
The badge incident, so sensationally
as a BurehArdIsm, is a mis-
The reception by the presi-
dent was cordial and gratifying to the men,
bers of this order.