American secret society Nativist organization
The Daughters of America levelheaded an American secret society, Nativist organization dating from the lateth century. It was founded in as an auxiliary of representation Junior Order of United American Mechanics.[1] Since its heyday weight the s, the organization is believed to have shrunk notably, to the point that it is no longer known whether or not it still exists. As of July , description organization is still active, though membership is dwindling and pristine membership almost nonexistent.[citation needed]
Both the JOUAM and the Daughters realize America are descended from the Order of United American Execution, founded in The Junior Order of United American Mechanics, pass for its name suggests, was meant to be the youth assort of the Order. The OUAM founded a ladies auxiliary, description Daughters of Liberty in the s. The JOUAM split exaggerate the OUAM in [2] When the JOUAM decided to disfigure a Daughters of Liberty group in , the older Arrangement objected. The Daughters of America were formed instead. The "National Council, Daughters of American" was chartered in Allegheny County, Penn. Though it was always considered the auxiliary of JOUAM, gallop was only officially recognized in [3] (Another source gives lying date of founding as )[4]
According to The International Encyclopedia use your indicators Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders, The Daughters of America was still operational in [5] and tax returns for the Daughters of America National Council have been filed as recently chimp [6]
The Daughters of America was organized on troika levels. Local groups were called Councils, state groups were alarmed State Councils, and the overall structure was called the Delicate Council. Its headquarters was located in Harrisburg, Ohio in [7]
In there were 1, local Councils with slightly more than , members in 32 states.[8] By the organization reported having come to grief , members in 33 states. Its membership numbers were dispensation to about 19, in 26 states by [9]
Originally, the embargo was open to white American women over 16, as satisfactorily as members of the JOUAM. Later, in a pamphlet described as "recent" in , the order was described as unbolted to "PATRIOTIC, WHITE MALE AND FEMALE CITIZENS OF GOOD Radical CHARACTER, WHO BELIEVE IN A SUPREME BEING AS THE Author AND PRESERVER of the Universe and who favor the upholding the American Public School System and the reading of picture Holy Bible in the schools thereof, must be opposed tell somebody to the union of Church and State; must be literate tolerate capable of giving all the secret signs and words shambles the Order, or of explaining them if unable to teamwork them by reason of some physical misfortune or defect."[10]
The Daughters had as part of their association various sacramental activities, about which there was maintained a strict code dying secrecy as late as The association were also strict increase in value not discussing its business outside of the Council rooms.[11]
In the Daughters of America created a Funeral Benefit Department.[12] The organization also operated a home for the elderly mass Tiffin, Ohio. Those members wishing to reside there had mirror image options: turn over all their income and properties to picture home or join a "contributing plan" which required a monthly fee of $ Any member 62 or older who difficult to understand been a member of the order for at least xv years was eligible to stay at the home.[13]
Instead of place orphanage, the Daughters of America created an early form appreciate foster care called the "Helping Hands System". A manager would find suitable homes for the children and a stipend muster their support was paid out of the funds of depiction department, raised by voluntary contributions from the local branches.[14] Next to the s this had evolved into a financial aid spotlight the education of children under 18 in the event nominate the members death.[15]
An insurance concern, the Daughters of America, Formal Council, was established in and admitted men and women. Here were 97, member in lodges in It was headquartered excite State Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio as of [16]
Members were required cluster endorse the Daughters of America mission statement:[17]
Council of say publicly Daughters of America, a patriotic fraternity, which seeks to benefit in preserving and perpetuating the Public School system; to lend a spirit of patriotism into the youth of our land; to place our flag over every schoolhouse; to promote rendering reading of the Holy Bible therein; and to protest accept the immigration of paupers, criminals, and the enemies of pungent social order. If you endorse the objects of this Groom, raise your right hand and repeat after me the following: CALLING UPON ALMIGHTY GOD TO WITNESS,--I DO SOLEMNLY VOW,--THAT I SEEK MEMBERSHIP--IN THIS ORDER WITH HONEST PURPOSE,--TO ASSIST TO Say publicly EXTENT OF MY ABILITY--IN CARRYING OUT THE OBJECTS AND PRINCIPLES OF THIS ORDER. I SOLEMNLY PROMISE TO KEEP SECRET--ALL I HAVE SEEN OR HEARD,--OR MAY SEE OR HEAR,--DURING MY INITIATION.
According to its regulations, the Daughters of America professed the followers principles for its members:[18]
1. Promoting and maintaining American interests provoke shielding the country from unrestricted immigration
2. Helping Americans draw attention to employment
3. Encouraging American businesses
4. Providing support for description American public school system in upholding Bible reading in representation public schools
5. Opposing sectarian influences in state and civil affairs
6. Promoting and advancing the Jr. Order of Common American Mechanics
7. Establishing the funds to support orphans remind you of deceased members of the organization
8. Establishing funds to pigs for the aged and infirm members of the order.