The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-29
TWO NEGRO ORGANIZATIONS.
STRONG AND COMPACT WITH MANT
THOUSANDS or MElfBERS.

Tho United brothers of Friendship and the
Sisters OF the Mysterious Ten-Rcgniia
and nish-soundiug Titles arc Attractive.
CHICAGO. Dec. 25.-From window of a meet
ing room In n building in Washington street
young colored swell leaned ono evening re-
Gently and sang this refrain from tho popular
darby song:
II you git dar before do.
Chaw hole an let me froo.
The rest OF it was lost because somebody
inside the room suddenlylaid violent hands on
tho singer and yankcd him away from tho
window Soon nftcrward this remark by tho
Chairman was heard Brother Sampson. you
are fined fifty cents for disturbing the meet
Ing" Then the window was pulled down and
the shades too. and only nm occasional muir
muir. as OF many voices In discussion. told the
listener that tho meeting continued in session.
Prior to tho appearance OF tho dandy at tho
window tho night workers in tho building
across the alley could SEQ all that was going
on In the room. Tho alley is not more than
thirty foot in width. and the occupants OF tho
buildings. on eithor side Of 1t had a good
view OF tho interiors of tho rooms.
The particular room referred to was
filled with colored men. oil wearing brilliant
badges and sashes. and some. evidently
officers. were radiant with mock jewels. gold
lace and cords epaulets. and Rilt-incrusted
swords. The officers sat on u platform aud
were solemn and important. The men who
occupied the body OF the room addressed them
with great Difference. but occasionally n
speaker would be vehement and would ges-
ticulate freely. shaking his fist to emphasize
his argument Still. the proceedings were as
orderly as those Of most secret societies. until
tho irreverent swell. possibly tired Of the talk
and finding the atmosphere somewhat close
In spite OF the open window. transsressed as
described.
The society meets once or twice every week
and goes through about the same proceed
ings. Usually the shades are left up. and thus
the neighbors across the way nave the oppor-
tunity OF studying tho society and its ways.
The window is not always open. however. and
the talk cannot be understood when 1t is
closed. Tho society is u branch Of the United
Brothers Of Friendship. tho largest organiza-
ton Of colored men in the world. 1t is Won
and 1t has several thousand MENTORS in this
city. Considering its origin and the small en-
ence IT'S present size and influence are indeed
ren9rka6le. Closely allied to, it. and pos
ssessinG many Of its characterization i SO,
Sns Ten Whethet tho orEnat1r, Of th;
its mysterious councils or not cannot be. rs.
ccrtalneu. IN 1hCt, nohOGy seems to know lust
who had the honor OF naming it. but it has
nothing in common with the Venetian Council
and its awful DEGREES. and while its meetings
ARE secret its acts are open to inspection
One Of the branches met last summer in
building In Madison street. Tho meeting
room was not then open for inspection. but
from all accounts the sessions OF the society,
although lively, were very ccremonous.
Tho two societies are known bost in the
South and West. and II they continue to
grow at their present rate of increase. they
will soon include all the negroes Of those two
sections. According to one Of the highest off,
GERS OF the United Brothers Of Friendship. the
latter organization alone contains 10000
Ten namber He f rh are tGs wvss
sisters. and friends Of the Brothers Of Friend