The San Francisco call., 1896-02-12
OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA, !
Room 40, Academy of Science Building
Sl9 Market street

A.
Room 40, Academy of Science Building
S19 Market street.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, February IL, 1896.
To the Editor of the Cdli-DEAR SIR: Having
concluded my statement OF the principles of
the American Protective Association by the
presentation of its objects and its platform
the consideration of the ga. P. A. Interpreta-
tion of A. p. A. Principles" This letter deals
with the Interpretation of the ''Objects of the
A. p A" as officially set forth by the supreme
authority of. the order. These objects will be
found below in quoted paragraphs, the inter-
pretatlon of each section following immedi-
ately the paragraph to which il refers:
INTERPRETATION OF A. p. A. OBJECTS
l. "The American Protective Association is
organized for the purpose of purifying politics. is
a non-sectaran and non-partisan organization
composed only of true American citiZens without
regard to nationality
''Purifying politics" means the elimination from
the councils OF the Nation, State and municipality
of every element of corruption and Incompetence,
and the securing 10 the majority of American citi
Zens, without manipulation, free and honest
recognition OF their wish in respect to the admins
tration of the several departments OF Government.
IL does not mean turning out one set OF rascals
install another.
2. 'sWhile unite to protect our country and
Its institutions, we attack no mans religion long
as he does not attempt to make it an element in
political power"
We hold that "any religion attempts to become
factor in political power" when It's church bv or
ganlzed representatives attempts to control or
sway the vote of its communicates. or to dictate
legislation or to name appointees for pubc office
3. "Our aim is TO preserve and maintain the
Government of the United States and the princi-
pies of the Declaration of independence as set
forth by the founders against the encroachments
of all foreign influence"
We hold that the preservation and maintenance
OF the Government of the United States and the
principles OF the Declaration of Independence as set
forth by the founders involves the permanence
OF representative government, constItu-
ted, and the upholdng of the spirit and the letter
OF the palladium OF a merican liberty" The Ten
croachment of all foreign influence means what 1t
says-foreign influence, whether found under polt-
ica military or ecclesiastical garb.
A. I'VE regard all religo-political organizations
as the enemies OF civil and religious liberties"
We hold that "relgio-poitical organizations
are organizations formed wholly in part for po-
litical purposes, yet which require that !. man TO
be eligible TO membership therein must be a com
mnnicant OF some particular church.
g. sit is in our opinion, unsafe and unwise to
appoint or elect to civil military Offices in this
country men who owe supreme allegiance to any
foreign king, potentate or ecclesiastical power or
who are sworn 10 obey such power"
We hold that ''men owe supreme allegiance to
any foreign king. potentate or ecclesiastical
point between the United States Government and
said king, potentate or ecclesiastical power would
be constrained TO uphold such power In preference
to our National Government.
q. I'VE are in favor of maintaining one general
unsectarlan pubilc school system, and will oppose
all attempts to supplant it by any sectaran insti-
tuition We are opposed to the use of public funds
for any sectarian purpose"
The maintenance of the unsectarian free public
school SYSTEM includes the non-diversion of its
revenue for any purpose whatever. "All attempts
TO Supplant IL by any sectarian institution in
cludes any organized purpose on the part of mem
bers OF any sect 10 withdraw or withhold their
children from the public schools The .tuse NJ
public funds for any sectarian. purpose includes
the payment OF public moneys to institutions con-
trolied by any sect or church upon any pretext
z. 1--WE are in favor of changing our immigration
laws in such manner that they Will protect our
citizen laborers from the influences of pauper and
criminal labor which, through the instrumentality
of European propagandist societies, are rapidly
supplanting our free and educated American citi-
zens in every line of industry: but we do not on
pose honest and educated immigrants who come
for the purpose of becoming American citizens and
who will forswear allegiance to all foreign poten-
tates ana powers.''
This section means simply the close restriction
OF immigration, admitting only those who come
with the intelligent purpose of becoming American
citizens, and who viii forswear allegiance to every
foreign power, whether military, civil or eccesias-
tical.
g. 1--WE are in favor of putting into Office honest
and true patriots, who are qualified and who owe
allegiance only to the Stars and Stripes"
We hold that men "who qualified" for Office
are men who by character, education and ability
are fitted to fill the particular offices which they
may have aspired. We hold that ssallegiance to
the stars and Stripes is exclusive and forblds al
soever
Mr. Editor: This concludes my interpreta-
ton OF the "Objects ofthe A. p. Az In proper
course shall hand you my official interpreta-
tion of our platform and our political prin-
ciples. In the meantime permit me- Mr.
Editor, TO repeat for the last time in you.
columns the questions which have asked of
Peter c. Yorke and which he has thus far re-
fused TO answer / do this because desire to
afford him one more opportunity to define for
himself his position in opposition to the A.
p. A. am desirous of having him define that
position, and for that reason have refrained
from taking advantage of his silence but
should he now fail 10 speak for himself l shall
construe his silence as answering my ones
tions in the affirmative, inasmuch as the
proyerb sayeth. ''Silence gives consent" And
in my future articles / shall govern myself
accordingly. The questions have propounded
are as follows:
on OBJECTS OF THE A. p. A.
Question docs Mr.. Yorke deny that politics
need purifying, does he object their purifica
ton?
Question 2--Does Mr.. Yorke object to our attack
ing any religious organization attempting to be-
come factor in politics?
Question Sis Mr.. Yorke hostile to our aim to
foreign influence?
Question 4-Does Mr.. Yorke regard relisio -politi-