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This was another of the anti-Catholic, Anti immigration, Anti Irish,
etc. organizations that formed the core of the Know Nothing Party (See
OAUM write-up for explanation). It originated before 1847 in Philadelphia.
The OAUM with its similar ideology, also originated in Philadelphia in
the 1840s which was a time of high Irish immigration. Its earliest name
was Patriotic Order, United Sons of America. When the Republican Party
was formed and the Know Nothing Party collapsed, this organization also
disappeared. In 1868, it reorganized, with the United dropped form its
name. Given the similarity to this organization and the OAUM and JOUAM
and the overlapping geographic proximity of their operations, it is difficult
to see why two organizations needed to exist for one purpose. Like the
Masonic lodges and those who followed their examples, this organization
had three degrees for members to achieve. They were Red, White, And Blue.
Following are Four Additional Ribbons probably representing
various degrees in POS of A. Can anyone shed light on the meaning
of the symbols or the degrees? Photos sent in by Paul Morrissey in Waterbury,Ct. |
