Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-12-30
Patriotic order sons Of America.

Patriotic order Sons OF America.
Tothe Editor Of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
This veteran order is about to inaugu-
rate radical change in its degree work.
Heretofore all business has been transact
ed in the first or cred" degree, the second,
or ssWhite," being beneficial, and the third,
or tsBlue, a uniformed and semi-miitary
rank. The practical result has been that
but few members have ever attained to
the s'Blue." Many who have joined the
order for the sake of its principles have
| take only the s.Red;n others, who desired
| to partake Of the benefits in case of
| sickness or disability, took the RED and
white only. No organization of the
"Blue" has ever been formed in this state,
| though some resident members have taken
the degree, mostly in Philadelphia. This
peculiar feature has been objected to by
many, and to remedy it, and place all the
members on an equal footing, the
National camp of the order made
changes in laws and ritual at
the last session, hold at Boston
in October. These will go into effect jan
uary /, 1891. All present members of the
the others without cost, and thereafter all
business will be transacted in the blue"
or third degree, and all new applicants re-
CURED to take all three, as is now custom
airy in the Masons, Knights of Pythias,
etc.
The order was established in Philadel-
phia in 1S47, and is therefore one of the
oldest American beneficial orders. II
fourished until the breaking out of the
civil war, whom 80 many members went
| to fight for the Union that the home or
CARNATIONS were broken up; though in
some cases they were kept up at the
front, even as some Masonic lodges
were. After the war had closed and
the volunteers returned home. measures
were taken for reorganization and the
order has since increased and spread until
it now has between $4,000 and 100, 00(
members, distributed through thirty-three
states and territories, the chief stronghold
being Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and
Colorado. Its progress in the south, In
what used to be known as the shot beds
of disunion,n has been simply wonderful
In Connecticut its conbinationi is improving
More candidates have been initiated in
the subordinate camps during 1890 than
in any previous year since they were in
stituted. The state camp is fully alive
and doing all in its power. Movements
are on foot for the Institution of new
camps and the reorganization of thost
) that have fallen into decline. Prominent
mon are becoming interested and thu
future in this state Is bright with promise
Attempts have been made at various
times to stigmatize this order as Know
Nothing" in principle. Such talk only be
trays Ignorance. The Patriotic Ordel
Sons Of America is an association of ma
| tive citizens for purposes of mutual aid
| and benefit, and is wholly nen-politica
and non-sectarian. Men of all parties ant
all religions can join 1t if their mora
characters will bear Investigation, and al
such men who love their country and
cherish its institutions, particularly thu
free school system, are welcome to 1T
ranks, regardless of party or sect.
NJ. s. WADHAM,
99S Grand avenue, City.