Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-21
PATRIOTIC SONS OF AMERICA.
The Articles OF Their Faith, With q
Plea For Far Consideration.

WASHINGTON, June 2o.--At the session of
the national camp of the order of Patriotic
Sons of America, to-doy, George p. Smith,
OF Illinois, was elected president for the en-
suing two years. Boston was chosen as the
next place of meeting, IN October, 1890.
At the afternoon session the following was
prepared for the press;
To the press of America In view OF the
fact that the principles of this order and the
objects of its existence have been incorrectly
presented, and inasmuch as an incident con-
nected with the presidential reception has
been misrepresented, this national camp re-
quests fair and impartial consideration of
our declaration Of principles.
Article 1. 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
patriotism, and that mono will so iealously
guard and protect them as those who are
born and raised under their influence. We
believe we have the best form of govern
ment for the masses on the face of the earth.
Article 2. For the welfare, prosperity and
liberty of all American citizens and their de-
scendants, we desire to protect our form of
government preserve It intact from the the
influence of any foreign power by discrimi-
mating sentiments of loyalty and patriotism,
and by establishing a fraternal feeling of de-
votlon to our country amongst all Americans.
We hope to make it impossible for any one to
live under the protection OF the stars and
stripes" who does not honorand revere 1t,
and who would not be willing to give up his
life in defense of the principles of freedom
and justice which it represents.
Article 3. We desire to sustain the purity
of the ballot, and to have it intelligently and
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 in
fuences, and under the influence of local
secular officers elected by the people,
Article g. We cordially welcome all those
foreigners who come to this country with
the honest desire of becoming loyal Ameri-
can citizens, and who sincerely disavow any
and all allegiance to foreign potentates and
governments, and who honor and revere our
national flag
Article 6. We are opposed to the occu-
pancy of any part of our land by foreign
Spectators who do not wish to become cit
liens, and we believe all resources and priv
ileRes of this country should be reserved for
the exclusive use of its citizens, either native
or naturaliZed.
Article7 We are in favor of crushing out
those which are already here, and of taking
measures which will prohibit from entrance
into our parts in the future Of that foreign
element which comes here to advocate COM
munism and nihilism, and which does not
luentl1y ltScl1 with our country, ana does not
respect our flag.
Article s. We invite all native born citizens
who believe in their country and its institu-
tlons, and who desire to perpetuate free gov
ernment, and who wish to encourage proper
feeling among Americans, to the end that we
may exalt our country, to join with us in
this, our work of fellowship and love. We
call the especial attention of those reporters
who have STYLED us as "lsnow nothings" and
"anti.Catholics," to article g. and quote from
our official expose, 1--WE have no quarrel with
any man on account of ratlonality or relig-
ion, but we wish to accord equa justice to
all American citizens"
The article from th address of our ma
tional president, so extensively quoted, re-
Quires no apology, and this order IN national
convention assembled unhesitatingly declares
there is no room in this republican govern
ment for any organization, under whatsoever
name, which advocates and practices murder
and ASSASSINATION, and we believe every in
telligent citizen, native or foreign born, who
has read the evidence presented to the coro-
ner's jury, of Chicago, relative to the Cronin
murder, has felt this to be true and that their
existence is constant menace to our gov
ernment. The badge Incident, so sensation
ally characterized as "Burchardism," is a
misrepresentation. The reception, by the
presiednt, was cordial and gratifying to the
members Of this order.