Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1897-09-25
991lI0 81
The A. O. U. w. Its Mission and
Purposes

Purposes.
The Ancient Order of United
Workmen, popularity known as the
A. Q. q. w, is the oldest, largest
and strongest Fraterna1 Beneficiary
Order in America.
The A. 0. U. w. was organized by
John Jordan Upchurch, at Meadville,
Pa, on the 27th day of October, 1863
Being now 29 years old, it is no long
er an experiment. 1t has weathered
all storms, overcome all opposition,
perfected its plans and is the very
bulwark of fraternal protection on
this continent; and its three hun
dred and seventy thousand members
in the United States and Canada bear
witness to this fact.
The aims and objects of the Order,
concisely stated, are as follows:
To unite all white males, of good,
moral character, over twenty-one
and under forty-6ve years of age,
regardless of nationality, political
preferences or religious belief, for
the purpose of giving equal financial
and traterna1 protection to each of
it's members; to improve their men
tai, moral and social condition, and
to inspire them with full apprecia-
tion of the realities and responsible
ties of life.
Its secret work is very limited,
and is designed for the sole purpose
of Identification and protection of its
members, when calling, or being
called upon for aid in case of sick
ness or want; and the members of
this Order are under no obligation to
render assistance to any person who
is violating the law of the land or
the usages or customs of good So
ciety.
The A. O. U. W. takes from no
man his individuality, nor does it
interfere with his place of residence,
or his business excepting those who
are engaged in the sale, by retail, of
Intoxicating liquors as a beverage),
his religion or politics. All classes,
trades and professions are repre-
sented in our Order, and every appli-
cant for membership is welcomed,
provided he is of good, moral char
acter, believer in a Supreme Be
ing, of sound health, competent and
willing to provide for himself and
family.
1t has recently established as an
auxiliary the Degree of Honor"
whereby the wives, mothers, daugh-
ters and sisters of Workmen may
enjoy similar privileges as do the
members of the A. Q. U. w.
The Order is thoroughly American
in its nature, and representative in
it's management. Charity, exercised
in it's broadest sense, is the founda-
ton principle of the Order, and upon
this virtue depends the Hope and
Protection guaranteed to its mem
bers.
The government of the Order vests
in Subordinate Lodges, Grand
Lodges and a Supreme Lodge.
The Subordinate Lodge manages
all the local affairs of the Order, and
is the sole channel of admission to
membership; through which the
various funds are collected and dis
bursed, and the general detail work
of the Order performed.
The Grand Lodge is Legislative
body for the territory over which its
jurisdiction extends; and IS COM
posed 'oop SS'eGates or representatives
duly G ad from the ouDor-
dinatt
TIL rs Lodge has jurisdic-
+ion tire Order, and legis-
late matters that are of
cor .st. 1t is composed of
re es elected by and from
II ,dges.
be seen that the Order
government "of the peo-
people and for the people,
the interest OF few de-
rsons.