Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The American. (Omaha, Nebraska) 1891-1899 | View Entire Issue (June 21, 1895)
AMERICAN link Mr THE A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER "AMERICA FOR AMERICANS." We hold that all men art) A uerlcan who Swear Alhglanee to the UniUni bluki without a mental rvourvaUon In favor of the Popo. PKICE FIVE CENT Volpmk V. OMAIIaTnKBISKA Number 25 A GRAND OPPORTUNITY Owing to the Dull Times the Omaha Bee Has Cut the Price Or Initiation Into the 1. P. 1. to Five Cent N Longer Any Excose for Any lan to Remain Out side the Order. For t number of year the poor people of the state of Nebraska have been cat t ing longing eye toward the doors lead ing into the lodge rooms of the A. P. A., but on account of the exhorbitantlv high foe charged, men seeking admis sion to the councils were obliged to be content with seeing their rich neighbors join, while they sat back and waited for an opportunity. Only about 30,000 out side of Douglas county ever found it convenient to get Inside. Of late, however, the Omaha Bee, which has always been more or lees of a philanthropist, has secured a job lot of obligations which have been pub lished in every papal sheet and priest ridden dally in the country, which it printed in its last Sunday's edition, and sold for 5 cents each. Heretofore the initiation fee has been retained by the corporation at $1 in the country towns and $2 in the city of Omaha; but the combine has been "busted" and our anti-monopolist neighbor, which wanted to be the organ of the great B. & M. railway, has made it possible for every man, woman and child to become an A. P. A. We who are on the inside are dumfounded at the accuracy of those oaths. We are wondering who the traitor Is. Already we are wondering If It would not be wise to lower the price of admission, and a convention may be called at an early day to decide the future entrance fee, or the advis ability of closing the A. P. A. factory altogether. In these days when com petition is close and trade ib dull, the cutting of prices may be the life of trade, but it's hard on the other fellow. However, we shall meet this cut of the Bee, and If necessary to hold the trade, and we believe it will be, we shall throw in the "extreme oath of the Jesuits," so that Americans may take their choice of the two associations, or become members of bo' a for the ?Ct of one. Now Is your opportunity. Get In on the ground-flcor. Be sure you deal with us. We fet the pace. We always lead with bargains. If these oaths are not authentic, don't blame us, for they are one of the papal Bee vintage, and are giver you as re ceived from that source by us: "For more than four years the cabal istic letters 'A. P. A.' have had a great deal of allcynd significance in Omaha. The letters are the abbreviated sign of sn order the Influence of which has been felt in political, bus-i-C jness and social circles In this city ard state. The numerical strength, plans and political workings of the order have been cloaked in mystery. Secrecy is one of the cardinal principles of the order, and from that fact have come many of the rumors and false notions of the character of the organization and the number of its followers. Political parties have been controlled by the smooth workers of the order, and the Officers of the city and county have been turned over almost bodily to the members of this secret political society. To such an extent has this became true that the business men of the city, the citizens who do not ft el It necessary to belong to a secret organ ization to establish their eit'zenship, and the men in favor of free discussion and open contests on matters concern ing the public welfare, have begun to ask, 'What is the A. P. A?' This question has been asked many times, and more frequently during the last few weeks, in view of the work of the members of the order in planning the coming political campaign and slating the officers to be named at the coming political conventions, without consider ing the wishes or interests of the rank and file of the dominant parties or of the business men of the city, the men who ray the taxes and furnish the means for the conduct of the municipal and county affairs. Few people, except the active workers in the political field, seem to realize the extent to which the A. P. A. have secured control of the political machin' ery of the city and county. The court house, the city hall, the board of educa tion, and all positions created by politi cal preference are in the hands of the order almost to a man, and the leaders are already busy at work laying plans to make the capture of public places more complete at the coming elections. Immediately upon the adjournment of the recent legislature the pins were set for the fight in the city and county elf-c'ions this fall, and every office to be voted upon now has several selected candidates. It 1 not a question of fit- nets at all, but simply a matter of which candidate for an office can pull the largest influence with the star chamber branches of the order, which selects the candidates for the people without respecting the people's wishes or rights in the premises. In investigating the work of the order In Omaha and this county, a marked discrepancy is discovered between the claims of the association, as outlined in its platform of principles, and the prac tical results of the carrying out of the plans of the oath-bound organization. "We have nothing to do," said Rev. E. J. Oldknow, of New Jersey, one of the chief organizers of the order, "with the religious side of the question, but only with the political. Our desire is to minimize the power of the Roman Catholic hierarchy In politics, to counteract it at every possible turn. We work through the ordinary politi cal methods. We are affiliated with no political party and have no political ambition. As individuals, we are not opposed to voting for Catholics. We propose to work solely through the ballot-box, but we are not boycotters, and do not seek to ostracize any one socially or in business. Our aim is political and our methods peaceful." Either Rev. Oldknow Is mistaken or the A. P. As. of Omaha have not been following in the paths laid out by the founders of the order. "We are affili ated with no political ambition," says Mr. Oldknow. The Omaha branches of the A. P. A. have centered their en tire energies in politics, and members of that order are slated for evt ry posi tion in county and city governments at the coming election. Rev. Oldknow's statement that as in dividuals the members of the order are not opposed to voting for Catholics is given an emphatic denial in the oaths taken by every member of the order and published herewith, in which the member most solemnly swears "that I will not vote for, nor counsel others to vote for, any Roman Catholic, but will vote only for a Protestant; that I will endeavor at all times to place political positions of the government in the hands of Protestants." Members of the order In Omaha have been loud In their denunciation of men who have refused to vote for candidates nominated by A. P. A. star-chamber decrees. The very oath of the order makes a bolter of every member of the order in case the party to which he be longs Bhould nominate a Roman Cath olic for any office. The technical name of the A. P. A. organization Is "The Amoreans." Ac cording to the official ritual, the can didate for admission to membership must go through several stages of initi ation, in the course of which he must make a declaration of principles and subscribe In succession to several Iron clad oaths. These oaths are he.e reprinted, word for word: DECLARATION AND PLEDGES OF CAN DIDATE. I hereby declare that I am of sound mind, of good moral character, and a firm believer In a Deity, and not a member of any society opposed to good government; I am competent to pursue some useful and lawful occupation; I am not a member of the Roman Catholic church, nor have I any symprthy with Roman Catholicism; that in my opinion no Roman Catholic should be allowed any part or parcel in thd control, or oc cupy any position in our public schoo's, or hold civil, political or military offices in this country. On the contrary, I realize that the institutions of our country are in danger from the mach inations of the church of Rome. I be lieve that only by the removal of Ro man Catholics from offices of public trust can justice, right and true Amer ican sentiment be fully subserved, and by th concerted and continuous efforts of the lovers of American liberty only cm such results be consummated and continued; therefore, I hereby pledge myself to defend the government of the United States and of tee state in which I redde, against In vasion, disorder, treason, rebellion, either by ecclesiastical, local or foreign foe, and against the usurpation of tem poral or spiritual power, power whereby men become slaves to party and the Roman church. 1 pledge myself to stand by the principles of this order. I am willing to bind myself by a vow sacred and inviolable. I am a Protest ant, and have been for years. I belong to the church and follow ing secret societies: FIRST OATH. The candidate la led by ritualistic mummery up to the oaths, which are recited by the officers of the order and repeated by the prospective members. The first oath reads: I, , do most solemnly and sin cerely promise and swear, without any mental reservation or evasion, that I will not reveal anything that I have seen or conjectured to any person in the world not entitled to know, and then only in such manner as I may be ti ded, after satisfying myself of the right of him or them to receive it, and even then not to reveal unto them more than I am allowed by the Instruction of the order bo to Impart; further, that I will not reveal, Impart or convey, by word, deed, act, sign, mark, figure or letter, either Indicated or written ujwn anything solid or plastic or traceable in any manner or nature whatsoever, anything which I may see, bear or dis cover In connection with this order, to any person In the world who is not per sonally known, or baj been vouched for to me as a member In good standing in this order by some friend whom I know to be such. I furthermore swear that I will not reveal, disclose or in any manner make known the name, person or individuality of any member of this order, either by word, sign or other wise, whereby the membership of this order may become known by any person not a member of the same. I further swear, upon my sacred honor as a man, breathing, living and having a belief in the existence of a Deity and an Immor tality, that I come not here as a spy, for my own ends, or in the interests of any person or persons as their spy, neither do I come hore out of Idle curi osity, but with an honest desire to associate myself with those who are striving to save this commonwealth from the perils that threaten to destroy it. I furthermore swear that I do not come to gain admission here for the purpose of divulging to any society, organized or to be organized, of any nature whatever, or to any theological institution, college or class whatever, nor to any church organization, more especially the Roman Catholic church, of this or any other country, nor to any priest, bishop, cardinal, archbishop, or to the Pope of Rome, or to his agonts or confreres, any of the parts, fractions, present or future, of the secrets, doings, works, discussions, orders, obligations, business, words or signs of this order, whereby the same may become known. To all of which I most solemnly swear, in sight of just heaven and the call of my conscience, bo help me, Most High, Master of all, and if I have falsely sworn or perj ired my soul, may God punish me as deserve. Amen. Amen. Amen. The secqpd oath is as follows: I, , do most solemnly premise and vow that I will always deal justly with my fellow men, that I will measure out to him his just and equal por tion of that which belongs to him of right to demand of me; that in the re lations of life I will be just ard tqul table, as an employer or emyloje, or as a counsel, or us a judge, or as a juryman, or in the capacity of an arbitrator in any and all of these t will be faithful and do and perform to the utmost of my ability, so help me, most merciful God. And may He measure out to me as I do to ott e.-s with His keenest venge ance, should I knowingly or wittingly violate this my solemn obligation. Amen. Amen. Amen. The third oath required is as follows: I, , do most solemnly promise and vow that I will not make known to any one in the broad world, upon the land or upon the sea, anything I may hear, see or discover In this depart ment at this time, or at any future period, in the h ast jot or tittle, unless directed by ti e proper authority to confer this degree or communicate this work to a regularly organized and recognized body of Amoreans, and neither to any of them unless duly ad vised of the genuineness of the body to be so instructed. I furthermore promise and swear I will, to the best of my ability, preserve the purity of the ballot at any and all elections, that I will discountenance frauds and impositions by arU and tricks upon the people. I furthermore promise and swear that I will maintain a rigid enforcement of the principles of honor and honesty against political usurpation and oppres sion; that I will maintain and defend the government of the United States and the government of the state in which I live against foi-eign Invasion, against a foreign foe, national or ec clesiastical, against rebellion, treason, or the foes of good government, and in order to do so I promise my lands, money and even my life; that I will for ever renounce and abjure any foreign power, king, prince, potentate or eccle siastical power, whereby the same may in any way conflict with my rights as a citizen or my rights of conscience, and, if need be, I will take up arms, and by opposing, end thim. I furthermore promise and swear I will ever make it the aim of my life to keep the church separate and distinct from the state, to the end that the stite may not be made subst-rviont to promote the interest of some strong ecclesiastical power, and by its influence oppress and crush the people. To all of which I do most solemnly promise and swear, so help me God. Amen. Amen. Amen. The final oath, In 1U most binding terms, completes the obligation which the candidate undertakes. It Is: I do most solemnly promise and swear that I will always, to the utmost of my ability, labor, plead, wage a continuous warfare against ignorance and fanati cism; that I will use my utmost power to strike the shackles and chains of blind obedience to the Roman Catholic church from the hampered and bounden conscience of a priest-ridden and church-oppressed people; that I will never allow any member of the Roman Catholic church to become a member of this order, I knowing him to be such; that I will use my influence to promote the interests of Protestants everywhere in the world that I may bo; that I will not employ a Roman Catholio in any capacity if I can procure the services of a Protestant. I furthermore promise and swear that I will not aid in building, maintaining, by my resources, any Roman Catholio church or institution of their sect or creed whatsoever, but will do all in my power to break down the jiower of the pojio In this country, or any other; that I will not enter into any contro versy with a Roman Catholio on the subject of this order, nor will I enter into any agreement with a Roman Catholic to strike or create any dis turbance whereby the Roman Catholic employes may undermine and substitute them as workers; that In all grievances I will seek only Protestants, and coun sel with them to the exclusion of all Roman Catholics, and will not make known to them anything of the nature of anything matured at such confer ence. I furthermore promise and swear that I will not countenance the nomina tion, in any caucus or convention, of a Roman Catholic for any office in the gift of the American people, and that I will not vote for, nor counsel others to vote for, any Roman Catholic, but will vote only for a Protestant, so far as may be in my power. Should there be two Roman Catholics on opposite tickets, I will erase the name off the ticket I vote; that I will endeavor at all times to place the political positions of this government in the hands of Prot estants, to the entire exclusion of the Roman Catholic church or the members thereof, and the mandate of the pope. To til of which I do most solemnly promise and swear, so help me God. Amen. Amen. Amen." Such is R isey's A. P. A. Nothing is very bad about it, either. And, Plenty gond enough for the money. For the sake of argument, we will acn.it them as the real obligations of the A. P. A., but will place alongside of them the damnable oaths assumed by the black coated devils in whoe interest the Bit is now conducted, and ask the Americans of Omaha which they prefer. The oaths referred to may be found on page 6 of this paper. How to Form a Protestant Party In Parliament. The following communication ap peared in a recent A'orAv This q iestlon has o( late stronely oc cupied the. altention of active Protes tants. By such a party is meant, one represented jointly by both Noncon formists and Churchmrn, by Llbf-rals and Conservatives, who are Protestants fint. In the reign of King James II, when the Protestants Nonconformists and Churchmen saw Protestantism threat ened, they joined for the purpose. Both the formation and the party were suc cessful. The neod of action arises from the fact that, though at hi art still Protes tant, the nation's indifferer.ee and infi delityforgetful that Protestantism is the bulwark of even civil security en aole the allied forces controlled by the Jesuits to carry the balance of power. They at present dominate legislation. They hold the fate of parties. And what will either party not concede to avoid being hurled from office and power? Seeing that, except civil war, Par liament is supreme, when as will prob ably be the case in the near future they have largely increased their par liamentary forces, they will be our mas ttrs. Parliamentary action will then be too lata. They will act gradually, and finally violent national upheaval and long years of trouble will be the only alternatives. If the Protestants can now produce a compact body, known by every cabinet to control the balance of power, there would be no danger of our Protestant Institutions being sapped bit by bit as they have been for years. The future po.-;ibility of civil war and all its at tendant precursors of disaster and trouble would be averted. How can 6uch a party be formed? The Roman Catholic party and its al 11 i'd forces are only small compared with the whole houte. It Is their com pu-t nature which constitutes their ret!oso potency. Similarly, a small solid Protestant party only la required. From forty to sixty, Or at the utmost 100 members, would bo ample, considering that the country is at present at heart Protes tant. But thoroughly Arm, undivided co-operation at any price would be noo essary to accomplish the object. If formed, many of the existing members would join the party. The remainder could be secured by the following plan of campaign: Operations should bo concentrated on the many constituencies where the ma jorities are small: Protestants (befoie candidates are selected) demanding of each party a Protestant candidate, and, if refused, rendering defeat a known certainty to tho refusing party if the Protestants vote for the opposite Prot estant parliamentary councils should be formed In each of these constituen cies, public meetings held, addressed by powerful shakers provided by a central executive In London, as well as by local speakers. Information should also lo supplied 'by pointed literature, and, as far as possible, personal can vass. The sacrifice to Protestant elect ors would be considerable at first, but when It was seen that a party was actu ally produced In Parliament, the en thusiasm would grow and the sense of sacrifice become less; and what a mag nificent cause in which to make a sac rifice! the preservation of the noblest bulwarks of everything valuable to Englishmen. In a few cases the local strength would be sufficient to elect an Independent Protestant candidate. Let this plan be vigorously carried out, and we believe success would bo secured. The experience of the North Sussex Protestant Parliamentary Coun cil justifies this prediction, and Is a valuable object lesson. Its experience proves that these political operations would not collide with tho existing Protestant associations, whose work is not altogether suited for abstract po litical action. The center executive would need to be ever engaged In watch ing events, guiding operations and sup plying information on special subjects affecting Protestantism, when neces sary, to members of Parliament and to the government of the day. Only two or three permanent officials would be necessary, and the money required beyond the funds collected for local work would not be great. And, surely, for so splendid an achievement, patriotic Protestant", both Liberals and Conservatives, would not be wanting. Edward Littleton. A RUM-SOAKED BRUTE. Scene (Juite Common in Roman Catholic Homos. A combination of rum and Romanism is responsible for the pitiful story re lated below, whfch is aken from t ie Ne w York llicmhr: Mamie King was only 19 years old when she died last Friday at her fa ther's home at 4r0 West Seventeenth street. She was popular with the neigh bors, and that was why so many visited the little four-room flat on Sunday night in the front room of which the body lay in a casket. The unhappy mother, as she rocked to and fro at the head of the casket, moaned oi:t the words: ' She was the best child that ever lived, she was." Everybody agreed with her, and said so. There was another pang in tho moth er's heart. Her husband had gone away on the day before Mamie died, and no trace of him could be found. When Mamie smiled and with her last breath saU "good-by" her glances roved about the room in vain search for her father. While the family and their friends were thus gathered in tho little front room, Alice, a younger daughter, had just moaned, ''Oh, I wish pop was here," when the door opened with a crash, and the missing father entered. He was frightfully drunk and his attire was covered with mud. After gazing round the room lor a moment, he cried: "What ye givln' a party for, eh?" "Bo still, father," said Alice. "Still be !" said the drunken par ent. "Whad jer take me fer, eh? Wanted me outer the way while ycr had ther party, eh? I'll show yer whos.) bosj er this ranch." "Oh, please be quiet," pleaded the wife. Then she added: "Can't you see that our Mamie is dead?" "You're a liar!" yelled King. And he struck his wife a terrible blow in the face, knocking her across tho coffin and the body of her child. He then cleared tbe room of the neighbors, using a chair as a weapon, and wound up by knocking the c ffin from the trestles and breaking it to pieces, while his daughter's body rolled to the floor. Then he struck Alice in the face and kicked her. Policeman Haggerty, hearing Mrs. King's scream, rushed up-stalrs just in time to save Alice from being brained with a chair log. WHICH IS IT NOW I Rome In Politics and the Approaching Con filet. In 1852 there were two candidates for the office of President of the United States Whig and Democrat General Winfleld Soolt the candidate of the former and Franklin Pierce that of the latter party. During the campaign, delegates from the Roman Catholic church approached General Scott, aaylng: "Will you give two cabinet positions for the vote of the Catholic church?" With hi characteristic courage and honesty, he replied that it was too soon to talk of cabinet ignitions. "Wait till after the election, and then we will talk about tluU," said he. This was not sat isfactory to tho emissaries of "his holi ness," and they betook themselves to Mr. Pierce, to whom they made the same proposition. Ji'n reply wan: "I will give one, maybe two." Their next question was: "What Is tho position, and who will be the man?" Ho very promptly replied: "Frank Campbell, of Pennsylvania, shall bo postmaster general." Tbe bargain was mado and the goods delivered according to contract, by both the Roman Catholics and Mr. Pierce, and the Roman Catholics have contin ued to vote mainly with the Democratic party ever since, until you cannot now tell which It is the Democratic party or the Roman Catholio church. But, judging from the office-holders, It Is principally Roman Catholic church; and, whilo this condition Is true, the Republican party Is not free from the Influence of tho papal party. Ambitious office-seekers cater to the "howly church" for votes. It is a dis grace to any Republican worthy the name to ask for the support of tbe as sassinator of that grand and noblo father of the party Abraham Lincoln. The murder of Lincoln alone ought to be enough to damn tho Roman Cath olio party beyond the hoe of redemp tion; and when a Republican so far for gets his God and his country as to ally himself with the devotees of Roman Catholicism, he deserves to be "sat upon" In a manner that shall forever disgust him with politics. But, while there may bo a small minority that will run after the false god, the rank and file of the grand old party will fulfill the mission for which it was created that is, the removal of the curse of human slavery from the soli of the United State and tho main tenance of civil and religious liberty throughout all our borders. It fought to a finish the most unholy war that was ever forced ujion any nation, and in doing so unloosed the shackles of 4,000,000 slaves. In doing thlB it had the support of all loyal, liberty loving Democrats; and wo believe that in the coming contest tbe Republican party will again be found ujm tho side of God and humanity and liberty, and will have the sympathy and support of every God fearing, liberty-loving, in telligent Protestant Democrat, and united, they will again carry Old Glory to victory. We believo that when tbe lovers of liberty and the friends of our 'Dstltu liens are unified and unified, marching forward shoulder to shoulder, It will not be difficult to determine "which" for then the Democratic party and the Roman Catholic church will be one and the same thing. American Citizen. LOYAL OlUMiE INSTITUTION. Annual Pleuio, Friday, July 12, 1!., at Burlington Park. Under the auspices of Prince of Orange District No. 12. The organiza tion wishes ALL patriotic organizations in the city to avail them elves of this opportunity. A royal good time is guaranteed to all who attend. Games and sports of all kinds will bo participated in by the pleasure seekers. Prizes will be given to all winners in games. Round trip, Including admis sion to the grounds, 50 cents. Infor mation and tickets can be secured of the committee. Basket Picnic. There will be a basket picnic given by the Loyal Patriotic Ciub, members of Council No. 12, at Burlington Park, on Wednesday, June 2i:h. Good boat ing, fishing, foot-races, dancing, and good music. There will also lie games of all kinds, boat-races, and base-ball. Several patriotic speakers will be pres ent and address the gathering. Train will leave Union Depot Rt 9:15 a. m. Round trip, including admission to the grounds, 50 cents. Patriotic people and their friends will find this to be an enjoyable summer outing.
