The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-29
HIDE THEIR ENIBLEMs.
Members of EraternaI Orders Conceal
Brotherhood Buttons.
Chicago Post.

Scores of men who in former years
have proudly decorated their watch chains
and coat lapels with emblems of the Sc
cret orders to which they belong have
quietly discontinued this form of display.
This retirement of the signals of broth
erhOod' to bureau drawers pockets and
the more hidden portions of the owners at
tire does not signify decrease of fraternaI
pride and loyalty. 1t is one of the curious
testimonials to the far-reaching effects of
the long period Of financial distress from
which the public is now happily emerging.
When general prosperity is fully re-estab-
Hshed these emblemauc watch charms,
pins and buttons Will again come forth
from their hiding places and publicly pro-
claim the frateruaI affiliations of the vari-
Gus wearers Only the men who are faith
full devOtees of the lodge and follow with
keenest interest the affairs of fraternal
and secret societies appreciate the extent
to which the wearing of the emblems of
their orders has been reduced. The move
ment has been wholly individual and With
out any concerted action.
Very few of the men who have pocketed
their buttons and badges have mentioned
the fact to even their most intimate asSO-
Ciates and brothers of the lodge, and when
attention has been called TO the absence of
the familiar and significant decorations no
little embarrassment and confusion has re-
suited from the comment. Were it not
that these men who have h2uled in their
colors' are among the StancheSt support
erS of their orders ana form numerous
contingent of the total membership of
their lodges it might be thought that they
were not particularly proud of their ira
case, however. would do serious injustice
to many men who regard their lodge obi
cations" as of sacred Importance
and who spend much of the time and no
little money in promoting the interests of
their various orders.
L viii tell you, said q man who belongs
to half d dozen of the most prominent
secret society and benefit organizations
why hundreds Of good brothers have put
the emblem of their orders out of sight
They are just as loyal and enthusitastic in
behalf of theic lodges as they were the day
after their initiation, but they have become
tired of being held up by the men who make
a business of working the members of
secret societies by means OF what we have
come to call the 'brother-in-dist racket
Ever since the beginning of the hard times
it has been practical certainty that the
man who had the fortitude to wear the
emblem OF his order would be the target
for almost daily appeals from strangers
claiming membership in the same society
and asking help in the name OF fraternity.
Sheer self-defense has compelled hum
dreds of our best members TO place the
tokens Of their allegiance in temporary re-
tirement. This, of course only protects
them from being spotted and hailed when
in their places of business and upon the
public streets. The applicants for assist
ance have still open to them the privilege
of visiting the lodge halls and making their
appeals there, But scores of them who are
practically impostors and who would urge