Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-22
POINTS OF PRINCIPLES.
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION OF
THE SONS SOFAMERICA.

What the Order. Believes In and Why 1t
Exists-Does not Like Being Styled
"Know Nothings" and "Anti-Cstho-
lics"-The Unfortunate Badge Incident
at the Presidents Reception.
WASHINGTON, June 2O.-At the afternoon
ression Of the Patriotic Sons OF America
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 it's existence have been incor-
rectly presented, and inasmuch as an incl
dent connected with the presidential recep-
tion has been misrepresented, this national
camp requests fair and impartial consid-
GRAFTON of our declaration of principles.
Article 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 iealously guard and protect
them as those 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 2-For the welfare, prosperity and
liberty Of all American citizens and their
defendants, we desire to protect our form
of government and preserve it intact from
the influence OF anysforeign power by dis.
siminating sentiments of loyalty and pa
triotism. By publishing fraternal feeling
OF devotion to the country amongst all
Americans we hope to make it impossible
for anyone to live under the protection OF
the "Stars and Stripes" who does not honor
and revere it, and who would not be
willing to give up his life for it's principles.
Article 3.-We desire to sustain the
purity OF the ballot and to have it intelli-
gently 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
influences and under the influence OF local
secular officers elected by the people.
Article 5.-We cordially welcome all those
the honest desire OF becoming loyal Ameri-
can citizens, and who sincerely disavow
any and all allegiance to foreign potentates
and government and who honor our
national flag.
Article eve are opposed to the occu.
pancy OF any part Of our land by
FOREIGN sPECULAToRs OR ADVENTURES
who do not wish to become citizens, and
we believe all resources and privileges OF
their country should be reserved for the
exclusive use OF our citizens, either native
or naturalized.
| Article I'VE are in favor OF crushing
out that which is already here and OF tax
ing measures which will prohibit from en-
terence into our parts in future that for.
eign element which comes here to advocate
communism and nihilism, which does not
identify itself with our country. and does
not respect our flag.
Article S-We invite all native-born cit
izens who believe in their country and its
institutions, and who desire to perpetuate
free government, and who wish to encourage
q brotherly 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 re.
porters who have styled US as "knownoth-
ings" and
| "ANrI-CATHoLIcs"
to article 5, and ask them to quote from
our official expose I'VE have no quarrel
with any man on account OF nationality
and religion, but we wish to accord equal
Justice to all American citisens." The
article from the address OF our national
president, 50 extensively quoted, requires
no apology, and this order, in national
convention assembled. unhesitating de-
clare that there is no room in this
republican government for any or
ganization under whatsoever name,
which advocates and practices
murder and assassination, and We
believe every intelligent citizen, na.
tive or foreign-born, who has read the evi:
dence presented to the Coroner's jury. oi
Chicago. relative to the Cronin murder, has
felt this to be true, and that their existence
is constant menace to our government.
The badge incident SO sensationally char
acterized as Burchardism, is misrepre'
sented. The reception by the President waa
cordial and gratifying to the members oi
this order.