Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-31

revoked shall DO granted any further license
thereafter.
ANOTHER SECRET POLITICAL PARTY.
Kansas Republicans Organizing the United
American Mechanics.
correspondence oil The Evening Star
TOPEKA, KAN, December 90, 1892
It has been fully demonstrated in Kansas and
other western states during the past three
years that secret political society exerts a
wonderful influence on the voter In one
year 50. 900 voters in Kansas became members
OF the Farmers and Citizens Alliance. At first
1t appeared to be only a social organization. and
the candidate for admission was admonshed to
leave his politics and religion outside the school
house when he presented himself for initiation.
1t wnsa taking" organization for people liv-
ing on the broad prairies of Kansas remote from
towns and places Of amusement. There neighbor
could meet neighbor. The gallant young country
lad could accompany his sweetheart to the al
lance lodge meeting, and behind locked doors
and curtained windows, in the lonely school
house on the plains, they could sing declaim
read essays and listen to the discussions of the
questions Of the day by three or four leaders in
the community. whose opinions are always
sought and whose advice is generally followed
With such meetings once q week in the 10. 600
country school houses OF Kansas it is really no
wonder that new party should rise. which, by
the help of 40 ,0o0 democrats, was able to sweep
from power the party that has held almost un-
interrupted control since old John Brown and
jim Lane led the fight to make Kansas free
Republicans observed the tendency of the
alliance and although they were nearly beaten
In 1880 they insisted that secret political or
ganization could not live and flourish in a state
like Kansas. where 40, 900 sons Of veterans and
T-,,,~ y. L
erousiy given them by the government they
defended and helped to save This class OF
men, they said, would never be caught in the
alliance net and adroitly drawn into the
peoples party. 1t required the recent defeat
OF the republican party in Kansas to convince
many that the fire and enthusiasm which fol-
lowed the close OF the war had completely died
out in Kansas and that old soldiers as well as
thousands Of other former republicans had
ceased ''voting as they shot"
REPUBLICAN SECRET ORGANIZATION.
A year ago the republicans decided to 60 into
the secret society business to offset the alliance
movement. The Knights of Reciprocity was
organized in many counties in the state and
for while it fourished. 1t was simply a re-
publican society and none but republicans or
those who believed in protection and reciproc-
ity with the South American countries were
admitted. But it soon declined and today there
meetings. Then determined effort was made
to organize republican league clubs, but with
all the patriotic songs well rendered by glee
clubs sufficient interest could not be awakened
Since their party was swept from power in
the recent cyclone the leaders have had time to
sit down and calmly discuss their present con-
dition and the causes which led to the party's
downfall. They admit that a general demand
FOR change in social and financial conditions
had much to do with H. but the main reason
assigned is the splendid organization in the
peoples party ranks, which was perfected in
the secret meetings of the Farmers Alliance
There Is no question about this, and to meet
this condition with similar organization in
the fight to be made in Kansas and other west
ern states two years hence is q question which
is just now engaging the serious thought and
consideration OF leading western republicans.
UNITED AMERICAN MECHANICS
They tried the Knights Of Reciprocity and
the Patriotic Order Sons of America without
benefit, SO they have decided to try something
new and have hit upon the United American
Mechanics, which has had wonderful prosper
lty IN some OF the eastern states. although new
to Kansas. The national organizer of this order
has been III Kansas ten days and has organized
sufficient local lodges to perfect q state organ-
zatlOn 1t Is very popular and already hun
dreds of republicans have joined it. District
organizers will be put in the field and every
county will be visited and lodges instituted
This work will be commenced in Iowa, Ne
braska. tho Dakotas and all the agricultural
states of the west and northwest.
OBJECTS CT THE ORDER
The objects Of this order are: To maintain
and promote the interests of Americans. and
shield them from The depressing effects of for
eign competition; to assist Americans in OBJ
tanning employment; to encourage Americans
in business; 20 establish sick and funeral
fund. and to maintain the public school system
OF the United States and to proven. sectariap
interference herewith and uphold the reading
OF the Bible therein. ANY male person over
sixteen years OF age OF good moral character
who will subscribe to these provisions NAV be-
come member. The order is ti-Catholic,
antl-socialism and opposed to the admission of
foreigners to our shores who will not obey
the laws OF the country
In its declarations of principles this new order
declares: True Americans have no prejudice
against man because lie was born in q foreign
land: they demand equal rights for him under
the law; and accord equal privileges under
their political system 10 him if they can do so
with safety to their country and without i'm
periing its free institutions; but with irnmi-
grafton SO increasing aud unrestricted, citizen
ship so easy and cheap and a growing ignor-
ance and iawlessness already holding the bal
ance OF power in three-fourths of the states of
our Union, all patriotic citizens recognize
the necessity for strictar immigration
and naturalization laws, for more
general education of the youth Of our land
and deeper reverence for law and authority.
10 the speedy accomplishment Of these things
the patriotism Of today commands us. Against
all lawiessness we trust the virtue and courage
OF the American people; against ignorance.
biRotry and superstition We trust free press
free speech and the American school house,
power more potent for the good and safety of
our institutions than all Of the standing armies
OF the world could be. II there is auy reIicion
TO be taught in our public schools let it be pa
triotism. II there is any emblem of Worship TO
be lifted mp let 1t be our national banner. II
there Is any dogma to be taught it should be
eternal happiness to those who love and serve
our country and eternal infamy to those who
betray it.
ONLY ONE FLAG.
Referring to the fag, the declarations of the
now order proclaim: ''As its equal upon our
soil NO other national fag no emblem of church
or state, NO fantastic rag Of commerce nor de-
vice OF fratsrnal organization should be per-
mifted to loot beside 1t except our national
banner was of broader folds and more uplifted
above il on proudsr staff. Let us be worthy
Of its history and Of its benefits and promises.
lowered with priceless traditions. stretching
from Bunker Hhl TO Appomattox, always sus-
tnined by the patriotic love Of a sovereign and
inte}liGeut citizenship. Let Il coutinua IN carvv