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.
