The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-04-21
THE JR. 0. U. n M
Its Organization, Principles and
Objects.

Mechanics, a secret, fraternal and pat
riotic benevolent organization, was
organized at Germantown, Pa, Oh the
18th day of May, 1858.
In 1869 the National Council was organ
lied. This body is the Supreme Head,
composed of Representatives from the
several State Councils, and is the final
source of appeal. The State Council Of
Maryland was organized April s, 1870,
and is composed of Past Councillors and
Representatives from the Subordinate
Councils in this State. On January 81,
1870, the first council was organized in
Baltimore City.
The order exists in the following
states: Indiana, IS councils; Illinois, AZ
councils; Michigan, 26 councils; Mary
land, sc councils; Massachusetts, 26 coun
ellis; New York, II councils; New Hamp
shire, II councils; New Jersey, 1853 coun
ellis; North Carolina, IS councils; Ohio,
324 councils; Pennsylvania, ga councils;
Virginia, IS councilsi Washington, 10
councils; West Virginia, 9S councils;
Iowa, II councils; Nebraska, s councils;
Missouri, as councils wisconsin, IA coun
ellis; Delaware, ri councils; Kansas, IL
councils; Texas, councils; Colorado, s
councils; California, councils; Ken
lucky, 10 councils; Oregon, s councils;
besides several councils in Louisiana,
Georgia, Florida, Rhode Island, Min
III ofr ~,
prising in its jurisdiction over one hun
dred and eighty thousand members, i'll
Guided in nearly two thousand councils,
distributed in thirty states; its councils
worth over nine hundred thousand dol
lars, and paying over five hundred thous
and dollars for benefits and relief during
last year.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
The constant landing upon our shores
of tn hordes of ignorant, vicious and
lawless criminals of the Old World
should be viewed with alarm by the
loyal and patriotic citizens ofthis'country.
We affirm warm and hearty welcome
to all immigra nts who desire to better
their condition and become part and
parcel of our nationality, but we have
not one square inch of room for the
Anarchist, the Socialist and Nihilist, or
for any one who is not willing to bow
allegiance to that flag which is powerful |
enough to shield and protect them as
we'll as us, in the exercise of all civil and |
religious liberty.
We affirm our devotion to the Public |
School System of this country. We be |
lieve in compulsory education, and that |
all teaching in our schools should be in |
the English language, to the end, that
future generations may be able to take |
their place in the ranks of our country's |
workers, educated in the history, the |
customs and manners of Americans.
We guarantee to every man the liberty |
of worshiping God according to the die |
tates of his own conscience, and would |
give every assistance to protect all in the
exercise of this liberty, but we object |
most strenuously to the interference of |
any church, no matter under what name |
it may exist, in the temporal affairs. of |
this country.
We believe that the Bible should be |
read in our public schools, not to teach |
sectarianism, but to inCulcate its teach |
ings. 1t is the recognized standard OF |
all moral and civil law, we therefore be |
lieve that our children should be edu |
- l,,+ +I,o
or creed should be taught at the same |
time.
We believe that patriotism and love Of |
country should .be instilled into the
hearts of children, and that, with the
sacred words of Mother, Home and |
Heaven" our children should be taught |
that our flag is the symbol of all that |
makes a 'home" for us. We should |
place flag upon every public school in
our land, and Bible within, and the
object lesson therein set forth should be
beacon light in every storm which
threatens to engulf US.
In this noble and patriotic work we
ask the cordial and hearty co operation
of all good citizens. In this grand work
we need the helping hand of all organi-
cations holding the same views and
principles. We have no time for jeal
ousies and chickering's, but with a united
front we should march forward, shoulder
to shoulder, remembering that Omitted
we stand, divided we fall"
In the strictest sense we are a national
political organization, but we oppose
with unanimity the slightest faint of
partisanship. "Our Country" is our
motto, and we keep this motto steadily
before us. We are cognizant that there
are great and powerful enemies within
ur midst, requiring the strictest surveil
lance of all who are at heart, word and
in deed 1AmeyIcan. We, as members of
this Order, affirm our allegiance to the
objects of the Order as paramount to any
partisan utilization, and urge upon the
membership, harmonious, united and
intelligent action in carrying out these
principles.
OBJECTS OF THE ORDER.
First To maintain and promote the
interests of Americans, and shield them
from the depressing effects of foreign
competition
Second. To assist Americans in OBJ
tanning employment.
Third. To encourage Americans in
business.
Fourth. To establish sick and fun
eral fund.
FTfth. To maintain the public school
system of the United States Of America
and to prevent sectarian interference
Herewith and uphold the reading Of the
Holy Bible therein.
The declaration of principles of our
organization, we believe, will awaken a
corresponding echo in every American
heart.
Our name sometimes causes a false
impression. We are not labor organi-
cation, nor are we bound together to
create strife and discord between en-
ployer and employee, but rather to elevate
the love OF each and all for the American
mechanic. By the term Mechanic we
do not mean the daily laborer, or even
he who works with united hand and
brain, but any one who in any honest
manner contributes to his own support
or the welfare of humanity.
We have banded ourselves together