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Jr O.U.A.M (Order of the United American Mechanics)

Jr O.U.A.M (Order of the United American Mechanics)

Posted: 19 Nov 2005 11:03PM GMT
Classification: Query
Hi I have found a badge and a ribbon for Spring Garden Council No. 176 Lindenwold, N.J. I feel very lucky. My grand father was in the Dirigo Council 1026(per his obit.) I feel this was in Philadelphia, PA. Does anyone know anything about this organization? I have information off the Internet but it doesn't reallly say what they did.

Re: Jr O.U.A.M (Order of the United American Mechanics)

Posted: 13 Aug 2009 12:01AM GMT
Classification: Query
Jr, OUAM was a Natavist organization. They were anti-immigrant and anti-catholic.

Re: Jr O.U.A.M (Order of the United American Mechanics)

Posted: 23 Oct 2010 3:01PM GMT
Classification: Query
Got any sources on that info ?
I happen to know otherwise.

Re: Jr O.U.A.M (Order of the United American Mechanics)

Posted: 23 Oct 2010 3:49PM GMT
Classification: Query

Re: Jr O.U.A.M (Order of the United American Mechanics)

Posted: 23 Oct 2010 4:46PM GMT
Classification: Query
I will have to do some research and see if I can verify if what is said on the site squares up with what is actually printed in their constitution and bylaws. Thank you for the link tho.

Jim

Re: Jr O.U.A.M (Order of the United American Mechanics)

Posted: 23 Oct 2010 5:06PM GMT
Classification: Query
Ok firstly, What is published on PhoenixMasonry's site is way off the mark with what the Authentic source site says.

"American Nativism* is a reported period in American history that continued well beyond 1845. Many acts that occurred during this era are shameful at best. It is important for the reader to understand that the Junior Order did not encourage or sponsor these acts.



It is known that a group of American citizens were responsible for grievous acts against Catholics and more specifically Irish Catholics in Philadelphia. One of the first known groups to grow out of the era was “The Know Nothings.” They were formed out of fear and it was a secret organization that continued to encourage defiant actions against individuals whom they believed were a threat to American liberty. Many things fueled those acts, but immigration and the resulting loss of jobs and income were touted as the main causes. Reading accounts of historical facts will provide additional insight to other causes.

American Nativist's held a general dislike and fear of the power of the Catholic Church and the resulting influence from the Vatican. While that is part of American history, it is not a part of the Junior Order"

http://www.jrouam.org/index.php?pr=History&=SID

It is always a good idea to go to the source rather than an outside source. Notwithstanding, Phoenix's site has some useful information but the well informed are advised to check source.

Re: Jr O.U.A.M (Order of the United American Mechanics)

Posted: 23 Oct 2010 7:48PM GMT
Classification: Query
Jim, I have a medal which belonged to my Grandmother's first husband pre-1900. I, of course did not know him, however I can tell you that he had some books which were decidedly of an anti-catholic nature. The motion picture "Gangs of Neew York" expresses some of the Nativist sentiments. As you may know about every 20 years anti-immigrant sentiment has flared up in America.
Art

Re: Jr O.U.A.M (Order of the United American Mechanics)

Posted: 23 Oct 2010 9:56PM GMT
Classification: Query
while it may be the case natist sentiments do pop up, i have found nothing in the Jr OUAM's site to confirm the opinions expressed in phoenix's site. While it may be the case that they do affirm a belief in the idea that legal immigration ie: going through naturalization processes is the only way to be a citezen, they do hold to patriotism and the prefference of doing buisness with american companies. This I will agree with.

I was not able to find anything in their statement of beliefs that would indicate they advocated hatred towards catholics.

THAT BEING SAID, there is evidence of calvinist freemasons in american history. One has only to do a study of hawthorne's accounts of the hugenot massacre's done in america by the catholic church between the 15th and 18th century to understand why anti catholic sentiments were common in america.

The Jr Ouam did not advocate such practices tho.

I have even read where there were supposedly ties to the KKK with JR OUAM but I have not been able to find anything to support it.

That is really neat you have a medal pre-1900. I have one that was my 2nd great uncle's dated 1917 for his service in the first world war. Deffinately something to be proud of.

Jim

Re: Jr O.U.A.M (Order of the United American Mechanics)

Posted: 23 Oct 2010 11:15PM GMT
Classification: Query
Perhaps I was unclear. The medal is from Jr.OUAM and not for military service. I would not be at all surprised if there were Klan links.

Re: Jr O.U.A.M (Order of the United American Mechanics)

Posted: 24 Oct 2010 9:44AM GMT
Classification: Query
Well, I think it is important not to judge a society by the actions of a few individuals. Take the Catholic Church for example, there were priests that molested children, and while those acts were horrible, that is not what the Catholic Church advocates.

I am not going to argue that there were not members who affiliated with other organizations which were in conflict with what OUAM stood for. Perhaps had it been known at the time those individuals would have been expelled.

I have seen cases recently where members of the fraternity who having been found to affiliate with organizations which were in conflict with the moral code of the fraternity, were expelled.

But the original charter and tennents of OUAM were not Anti Immigrant or Anti Catholic, the actions of a few members were not representitive of the Order.

Thank you for sharing your story Art, I am enjoying this conversation. It is nice to be able to dicuss these things in a gentlemanly manner. I hope you are having a good weekend.

Jim
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