The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-07-05

lions rather discretionary than mand l.
tory and committing its members to
an exercise Of judgment rather than
an arbitrary obedience TO an explicit
command.
The chief aim and object OF the or
der is to unitedly and harmoniously
work for the re-establishment Of silver
free coinage at the ratio of 10 10 l.
in conformity with the general idea of
she organization, the Silver knights or
America instituted the preliminary
work of organization in Illinois, Iowa
and Ohio. Organizers of recognized
ability were sent out as missionaries
and actively prosecuted the work OF
amalgamating believers and preparing
for the education of proselytes-
So cautiously were their plans pros
ecuted and the achievements main
Fained kept so profound secret that
the movement has attained great
a1eadway, while as yet the general pub
1ic is in ignorance as to its existence.
New lodges are daily being es tab
lished. and the acquisition of members
almost sIIrpaSses belief so far as nu-
snerical strength is concerned. The or
der is of a brotherhood character pre-
cisely the same as the knights of
Labor and other kindred organiZa-
tions. The ritual is carefully pre-
pared and practically devoid of the
objections which attach to great
many secret societies. IT is intended
to Permit wide latitude in opinion but
al the same time binding upon those
who subscribe to it. The oath is not
one Of blind or absolute obedience, and
is not calculated to circumscribe or
restrain the right Of suffrage.
Nature Of the Oath.
There is nothing in the oath that
makes 1t mandatory to vote for free
coinage, or for any other stipulated
purpose, but a member is supposed to
have at least predictions in that d.
rection. The theory prominent and
foremost in the entire ritual is the free
coinage of silver at 16 to 1. The ritual
as whole is intended to DE instruc-
tive instead OF compulsory. While it
is not commanded that those partici-
Esating in its exemplifcations shall vote
for the accomplishment OF this one
specific object, the assumption is self
evident that all who have Endorsed its
provisions will consider that the ma
1ural and proper way in which TO ex-
ercise the right Of suffrage. The only
requirements necessary to secure men,
ghership is that the applicant shall be
an American citizen.
In many sections of the country no
special attempt is made to keep the
fact that organization is being done a
profound secret. The lodge work in
such sections is conducted on a sys-
tenn similar to that pursued by the
Royal Arcanum and other organiza-
Ticns. But in other portions of the
country, and especially in the east.
every precaution is carefully taken 10
prevent publicity. This is obviously
necessary in Washington, where clerks
in tie various departments have been
officially warned that they must re-
frain from expressing free silver SEN
timents ana take no active part in
promulgating them, and that any vio- |
lation of these instructions will be fol- |
lowed by dismissal.
The Situation in New York.
The same can be said of New York !
city, where there is an apparent over |
whelm;ng sentiment in favor of gold, /
but at the same time a, deep underly- |
ing prevalence of free coinage ideas. |
In such cases j. generally happens that |
the employer is q, believer IN the gold |
standard while his one to a, dozen en-
rIoyees favor the increased use of sill
yer as q circulating medium Tt is |
consequently essential that the clerks
snould be protected in joining silver
Organization when the fact is known
peradventure that their positions will
be imperilled, if not absolutely sacri-
feed, should their participation in such
a movement be known to those from
wnom they obtain their salaries
At present organizers are actively at
work in every central and adjacent
western state. daily instituting new
lodges and laying permanent founda-
fion for future work. No attempt has
yet been made 20 organize in the min
ing states, which are known to be al
work at present being performed is the
most q unit for tree coinage. The chief