The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-06-03


VIM. Ii. and Anna j. Shubkagel, Executors.
This Space is Reserved, &C., for N. /.
Gorsuch & Sons Fail Fertilizer.
Ice Cream and Water lee-James W.
Beacham, AvOndale, Md.
Mortgages Sale of a Valuable House and
Lothian AFTER, Mortgage.
Mortgageeis Sale of valuable Farm
Enan AFTER, Mortgage.
Ice Cream-Pleasant Valley Cream Co.,
Pleasant Valley, Md.
Legal Notices. List of Unclaimed Matter.
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Patriotic Order Sons of America
That New Windsor Resignation.
Editors Advocate: As You accepted the
opportunity in your last issue to maliciously
attack the Patriotic Order Sons of America,
and by implication, all American Societies,
| hope you will grant me space for brief
reply.
My note to you requesting notice of the
organization effort which will be made in
Westminster in June, was sent to your paper
as well as to the other papers in your city.
and was not intended to call forth more than
a simple news item. However, rs you have
in your wisdom seen fit to attack us, thereby
giving us a splendid advertisement, | feel
like thanking you for your course; and, had
your article been simply an honest criticism,
and not gross Misrepresentation, no further
notice on my part would be necessary. You
published several extracts from the pamphlet
sent you, which contains the principles OF the
ordar in exteuso. | am sorry that you only
published Just enough to best suit your pur-
pose, and not more, or the whole OF 1t, as
there is not a sentiment in it to which every
American citizen cannot subscribe, ii he be
worthy OF the name. | hope that you will
kindly publish the following extracts:
Next to the love for the Creator. we believe that
patriotism is the highest and noblest affection OF the
human soul.
safe without patriotic citizens and that none VIII so
jealousy guard and protect them as those VINO are
born and reared under their influence
We cordially welcome all ofthose foreigners who
come this country with the honest desire OF be
coming loyal American citizens, and who sincerely
dsayow any and all allegiance TO foreign Potentates
and Governments, and who honor and revere our
national nag: 4
tits nom sectarian and non-partisan. Its mem
beTship includes men of all political beliefs, ana
the dictates of his conscience only Inc discussion
of partisan politics in the Order is prohibited by the
constitution the choice of party being left to each
individual believing that he will insist thatthe first
and only duty of thai party shall be the welfare OF
our country.
BY disseminating sentiments of loyalty and patriot
ism; by establishing fraterna feeling OF Devotion
to country amongst all Americans, we hope TO make
il impossible for any toliVe under the protection
of the "Stars and Stripes, who does not honor anu
revere it, and who would not be willing to give up
his life in defence OF the principles OF lreeuo anu
Justice which 1t represents
Efforts have been made to drag the p. o. s. of A.
in with VariOuS pOlitiCal parties
and societies. but have not been successful. we
have no quarrel with any man on account OF
nationality or religion but we wish to accord equal
Justice TO all honest American citizens We ask that
Americans be allowed fairplay on their own native
SOIL and we seek by educating public sentiment to
advance the idea OF Americans for America rather
than to insist upon America for Americans.
Do you dare to assert that an organization
with such principles sis threatening to the
peace and order of society?'' Do you think
so little of the heritage of freedom bequeath.
ed to us by our forefathers, to be afraid Of
criticism for jealous!y guarding it? Is it moi
better to err on the side Of American Patriot
ism, to boldly guard our institutions, rather
than by too free and mistaken hospitality
lower the standard of our greatness rs a
Nation? Do you believe that intelligent PEG
pie who "fnlly inform themselves as to the
character of our Society will say with You thai
it is "a modified form of know nothingism
MI. lulLoIs lOu uusNCA tuNoN tNNS''S''a
as best suits you; we are frank to say, however,
that with all due respect TO you as Editor OF
leading organ in this county, that we firmly
believe that there is "a considerable number
of citizens of Westminster" who will moi
agree with you, should your answers be in
accord with your last week S article. The
chief aim of this our Order is to develop a
spirit of enlightened patriotism in the hearts
offs members, and through their influence,
in the country at large. We do not claim
perfection for our American ideas and institu
TONS but we do claim that they suit us as
Americans, and that we do not wish them
changed, except so far as they may be
strengthened and developed; and we would
take it very kindly if our citizens of Foreign
birth, many of whom have not been IN
America long enough to speak its language,
much less understand its institutions, will just
drop the idea that they have duty to perform
in reforming our ideas and customs to conform
to those of the land of their birth.
Enough has been said to indicate the charac-
ter of our Order. We believe that the I'M
preiudiced observer will not agree with you
that there is some dangerous aim connected
with it because it is .'secret."
The feature of secrecy is wholly ritualistic,
and there is not thought in our initiatory,
or general work, which is not fully and openly
expressed in our platform of principles. The
iptimation that the P. o. S. of A. is danger
oas and unnecessary, particularly because II
does not admit foreigners to membership, is
preposterous, and in my estimation an admls-
sion that membership in it is desirable.
| am aware that many persons have CON
scientious objections to secret societies of all
kinds, and | will admit that their scruples are
entitled to respect, but when the "secret"
feature is scarcely noticed by you, and you
denounce us chiefly because Of our Patriotic
American principles, thinking people will be
ant to ask the question, has not the Advo-
cate some special reason for its action? This
is not political subject but it looks as it a
political reason might be given as solution
to the question. 1dneyfooh, ma
Asa reader of the ADVOCATE and Demo
crat was very much surprised to see one OF
the editorial columns filled with sharp and
unknown words against the L. o. 5. A., and
in fact against all kindred organizations. We
ask ourselves the question what does all this
mean? Why should the editor make this
attack? 1t may be that there is cause for.
such "a shaking of his fists against all orders.
Some one must have insulted the editor. lie
would not spring upon those organ izations,
and thrust his fangs into their flesh unless
he we're provoked. People will get provoked.
But we find no one of the orders have been
saying or doing anything that would call
forth such an attack.
have been reading the ADVOCATE for years
and have always put confidence 1t. bellev-
ed that it was honest and that what it taught
its readers was true. But in moment in
which the editor was unguarded in his thoughts
he erred in his Office. Now | would be
lenient with you this time. As an Order we
know how to take our part, and if there be no
retraction we will hold up the truth. You
see that even if what you said were true, your
attack would be unwarranted. But you say
things that are not true which makes your
position unsafe Nowwe all may err. Either
retract so far as you were wrong, or come
down from position which oughtto be filled
by men of well balanced minds and hearts.
am not in favor of war, and if peace can
be maintained let us do so. do not like to
see the ADVOCATE lose its influence as paper
Of the party to whose principles | hold.
And aoain i can mt see the Z. @. s. of A.