Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-04-20

bity" set themselves and their posterity apart
from their fellow citizens Of the Republic In an
exclusive order invested with all the privileges
and insignia of aristocracy.
Probably the most influential enemy OF the
new order was Samuel Adams, the father OF
the Revolution" While his views were states
manike they were severe. No man, ne sald
was more ready to remember gratefully and re-
ward the services Of the army In the great strug-
gle but 1t was astounding that any set OF men
should imagine that a people who had freely
spent blood and treasure In support or equal
rights should, the moment the struggle was over,
be "reconciIed to the odious hereditary distinc-
ton Of families He looked upon the Society
OF the Cincinnati "as stride toward heredl-
tary military nobility as rapid as ever was made
In so short time, and he could not but lament,
as grievous misfortune to the states, thai so
illustrous a man as Washington sanctioned It,
John Adams added his voice to the general
clamor against the Cincinnati. The legislators OF
Massachusetts,, inspired by resolutions from Cam
bridge, the university center, denounced the SO
ciety as dangerous to the peace, liberty and
safety OF the Union" flood of pamphleteers
Joined the chorus of condemnation.
One OF these Aedanus Burke, Revolutionary
veteran and Judge OF the Supreme Court OF
South Carolina, wrote n bitter pamphlet over
the signature of "Cassus" denouncng the aris
tocratic tendencies of the society. which put the
capsheaf on the condemnatory movement. The
pamphlet was reprinted In every state and found
Its way across the Atlantic copy fell into the
hands Of Mlrabeau who translated II into French
and published 1t In England
Washington tried to stem the tide Of opposl-
ton to the child Of his sponsorship by advocat-
ing the repeal of the provision making the mem
berships hereditary. But It was too late Pub
lie suspicion had been aroused and the patriots
of the rank and file" had placed their taboo
on the order.
One Of the most interesting results of the
feeling against the Cincinnati was the founding
OF Tammany Hail. counter movement In New
York, Indicating In society organized on the
alleged basis of "pure democracy So unpopu-
lar did the Cincinnati become that candidates
for public office curried favor by denounclng
1.-THE arstocrats" from the stump and instances
related where men publicly Invested them
selves OF the eagle and the ribbon at the polls,
.vowing that they had severed their connection
with the society. Rhode Island went tc the length
OF DISTINGUISHING all members OF the hated or
ganization and one by one the state societies
In Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware,
Connecticut and New Hampshire abandoned
their charters and the once proptlous Society
of the Cincinnati was in fair way to oblivion.
The visit Of Lafayette in 1924, revived a
temporary interest In 1t, but 1t was many years
before popular apprehension had become SO ap-
peased that 1t was safe for man who asked
preferment at the hands of the American pub
lie to profess that he was member OF the hon.
orable Society of the Cincinnati, Americas first
association OF war veterans
% by Western Newspaper unionl