Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 November 1893 — PURPOSES OF THE A. P. A. [ARTICLE]

PURPOSES OF THE A. P. A.

They Are Defined In Letter* Sent by the Order to Congressmen. Many Congressmen, Thursday, received a letter from the American Protective Association, setting forth its objects as follow: 1. The American Protective Association is organized for the purpose of purifying politics. It is a non-sectarian and nonpartisan organization composed of only true American citizens, without regard to nationality. 2. While we unite to protect our country and its free institutions, we attack no man’s religion so long as he does not attempt to make it an element in political power. 3. Our aim is to preserve and maintain the Government of the United States and principles of the Declaration of Independence, as set forth by the founders against encroachments of all foreign influences. 4. We regard all religio-political organizations as the enemies of civil ana religious liberties. 5. It is, in our opinion, unsafe and unwise to appoint or elect to civil or military offices in this country men who owe supreme allegience to any foreign king, potentate or ecclesiastical power, or who are sworn to obey such power. 6. We are in favor of maintaining one general, unsectarian, free school system, and will oppose all attempts to supplant It by any sectarian institution. We are opposed to the use of public funds for any sectarian purpose. 7. We are in favor of changing our immigration laws in such a manner that they will protectour citizens and laborers from the influences of pauper and criminal labor, which, through the instrumentality of European propagandist societies, are rapidly supplanting our free and educated American citizens in every line of industry; but we do not oppose honest and educated immigrants who come for the purpose of becoming American citizens, and who will forswear allegience to all foreign potentates and powers. x 8. We are in favor of putting into office honest and true patriots, who are qualified and owe allegience only to the stars and stripes. .