THE ORDER OF UNITED AMERICANS. "PERRY" inquires, "If the G. S. gives a decision contrary to law, what course must a Chapter pursue?" We answer, The decision of the G. S. must be respected and obeyed until it is reversed on an appeal to Chan cery. "Q. U. E."-The subject that you speak of is too insignificant for serious consideration, and should never be allowed to become a matter of litigation. Chapters should have more respect for their own dignity, than to entertain frivolous charges growing out of individual or personal fretfulness. If such things are invested with gravity, the valuable time of a hundred men may be squandered, and a Chapter placed in jeopardy for the value of a flea. One of our Chapters was deprived of its charter, about three years ago, on an issue between two members, which commenced in a pecuniary difference of eighteen and three-quarter cents. Parties who bring such paltry differences before their Chapters should be punished for their littleness, if for nothing else. "PIONEER."-The A. C. is not yet organized, but its powers are vested in the Chancery of the State of New-York, which has temporary jurisdiction in all matters pertaining to the A. C. THE ORDER.-Six years ago the Order of United Americans was established in this city, with the avowed object of guarding our institutions against the machinations of their enemies, or the corrupting influence of demagogues, and for the adoption of such measures as may at any time be deemed necessary for their preservation and efficacy. Thirteen gentlemen of this city at that time adopted a constitution and creed embracing these objects, and from them has sprung one of the most potent and popular associations that : has ever existed in the United States. From thirteen, the number in this city and Brooklyn alone has grown to nearly seven thousand in that short space of time, and the Order has been successfully established in the interior of this State in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, and California; and the time is not distant when it will be planted with good seed in every State in the Union, and operate as a check upon the mischievous doings of the corrupt and designing. Nor has the Order been idle in its young years. .On several different occasions of National importance, its power has been felt, though its voice was not heard, nor its form made visible; and standing, as it does, above and independent of the platform of mere party, upon great and vital issues, its operations are untrammeled, and its influence is pervading. Its principles are so pure as to elicit the sympathies and command the approval of every true patriot, and none fear it save the reckless and uncaring demagogue, or the baffled and greedy foe of National Freedom. QUARTERLY RETURNS.-There is, perhaps, no duty devolving on the corresponding officers of orders like our own, which is of more importance than the preparation of the statistical information which is required by their laws and usages; and there is, perhaps, no duty which is more frequently neglected or its performance delayed than this. We are aware that much time must necessarily be consumed, and much labor performed, in order that it may be attended to in a proper manner. But is this any excuse for inattention? We think not, for the greater the importance of any undertaking, the more necessary is a prompt and faithful discharge of those duties which tend to produce the desired result. We consider it a wise regulation that no chapter should receive the "work" of a succeeding quarter until its returns are transmitted to the proper authority. Thus the business of the old term would be brought to a close, its officers having properly performed the duties which they assumed, and the chapter be better prepared to enter upon another term than if embarrassed with the "finishing up" of neglected concerns. We have noticed that the very best Chapters in our Order, are those which, at the commencement of every quarter, are prepared to give a detailed and accurate account of their proceed ings, while those which are never prepared to "report their progress" punctually, are among the weakest; and this is not strange, for, while one set of men perform their duties with punctuality and regularity, the others, by being continually engaged in fulfilling their neglected duties, are sometimes so far behind as to be almost forgotten in the praises bestowed on their victorious competitors. This is a subject which is one of the very best tests of the state of prosperity of either a Chancery or Chapter. It is, in fact, the great artery where, by the number and strength of the pulsations, we may easily discover whether a hearty and active influence is kept in circulation, or whether the body is in a torpid and indifferent condition. It is of the highest moment that each G. C. of the C. should, at the commencement of each term, receive the returns of the previous one, from every Chapter in the State, so that he, in turn, may prepare his account for Arch Chancery. Without this systematic regularity in every department, the number of members in the Order, amount of initiations, &c., &c., can never be ascertained; thus leaving us in ignorance of our own strength and resources, so that we can never act unitedly and efficiently in any subject. We trust that all officers, in every branch of the Order, will perceive the necessity of prompt action in this department, and of thus endeavoring to contribute their part to the glorious triumph which awaits the cause in which we are engaged. WASHINGTON'S BIRTH-DAY.-At a recent session of the Chancery of New-York, a committee of nine was appointed to confer with the several Chapters on the subject of commemorating in an appropriate manner the approaching anniversary of the birth-day of the Father of our Country, the ever-glorious "Twenty-second;" and we believe every Chapter in the State has resolved to unite with Chancery on that occasion. A convention of delegates has been held, conjointly with the Committee of Chancery, and some of the preliminary arrangements for the demonstration have already been made. The Convention first resolved that the ceremonies should consist of times as large as we have heretofore paid, and the Committee, rather than submit to a seeming extortion, engaged the TRIPLER HALL, a building that will hold at least one thousand more than the Tabernacle, and on that account better adapted to our purpose. Last year, at least one thousand persons were compelled to leave the doors of the Tabernacle, and retire, because there was not room for them in the building. This year, even Tripler Hall will not be large enough, but it is the largest in the city adapted to oratorical uses, and therefore the best. As Grand Marshal of the day, the Convention made a most excellent selection in Brigadier General, Brother HENRY STORMS, of Washington chapter. General Storms has been known for more than a quarter of a century, as a most efficient officer, and the arrangement of such a parade will come directly within the scope of his experience. The General has accepted the appointment, and we trust that his arrangements will be strictly complied with. We learn that the several companies of "Continentals," viz. : The Washington Continentals, Captain Helme. The Continental Guard of New-York, Captain The City Continentals, Captain Knapp The City Continentals, Captain Vandyke, And the new Battalion of American Riflemen, will form an escort on that occasion, in full uniform. The orator of the day has not yet been chosen. Several chapters of New-Jersey have already resolved to unite with New-York on this occation, and we may reasonably expect one of the noblest parades of the Order that we have yet had. The Programme, complete, will appear in our next number. THE ANNUAL GRAND BALL of the Washington Association comes off, as usual, on Washington's Birth-night. This year, it will be held at the Apollo Saloon, and will be conducted on a most liberal and magnificent scale. Active preparation is already in progress, with a view to 1st. A Grand Procession of the Order, in full make it the Ball of the season. The last given regalia, with banners and music, and 2d. An oration, with other appropriate ceremonies, in some suitable building. The Broadway Tabernacle having been employed on this anniversary for two years past, it was the intention of the Convention to hold the ceremonies there this year; but the conscientious agent, or proprietor of that building, saw fit to place a supposed value upon it, nearly three by this Association, at Niblo's, was a brilliant festival, admirably managed in all its details, and its results, as we are informed, gave a handsome addition to the Widow and Orphan's Fund of Washington Chapter. AMERICAN CHAPTER talks of going to NewHaven on the 22d, in compliance with the invitation of Roger Sherman Chapter. MOVEMENTS AND PROGRESS. NEW CHAPTERS.-Since our first number was issued, two new Chapters have been organized in this State, and one in New-Jersey, viz: IRONSIDES CHAPTER, No. 47, of New-York, was instituted December 16th, at American Hall, and fully organized; Chancellor Boyce presiding at the installation. Ironsides commenced her career with about thirty members, mostly from Independence, a few from American, and two novitiates, initiated on the night of installation. With a spirited and intelligent body of members, she takes her place in line under most favorable auspices. May she be as invulnerable to foreign influence as the old frigate, whose name she bears, and, like her, live to a green old age. LIBERTY CHAPTER, No. 11, of New-Jersey, was instituted at Jersey City early in December, but her place of meeting will be at Bergen, as soon as a suitable hall is provided. Her Charter members comprise a small colony from American, of Jersey City, and a few novitiates. The Jerseymen are doing their duty nobly. Any political party that wishes to carry New-Jersey, hereafter, are advised not to send a foreigner to stump the State, and teach Americans how to vote, as was done just prior to the last election. The sons and grand-sons of those who did their own fighting, and scoured the enemies of their country from Trenton, Bordentown, Burlington, Black Horse, and Mount Holly, in 1776, are able to do their own voting in 1851. AMERICAN FLAG Chapter, No. 48, of NewYork, was organized at Mamaroneck, on Wednesday evening, 8th of January. This is an appropriate anniversary. On the 8th of January, 1814, the American Flag waved triumphant over the British at New-Orleans, since which they have never met in hostility. The Americans of Mamaroneck will take good care of that flag. A VISIT.-A most interesting occasion occurred on the evening of the 17th of December last, at the rooms of American Chapter, of New-York. The Chapter having extended an invitation to American Chapter of New-Jersey, to visit them, and the invitation having been accepted, the visit took place as above stated. About forty of our Jersey brothers were present, in full regalia, headed by their officers, and accompanied by their Chancellors; they were received with appropriate ceremonies, and after an interesting meeting, the whole party adjourned to partake of a fine supper, prepared by Brother Benson. We hope this visit will be but the precursor of a frequent interchange of civilities, not only between the several States, but also between the Chapters of our own State. CALIFORNIA.-Notwithstanding the unpropitious circumstances attending the establishment of the Order in California, Chancellor Hart has accomplished that most desirable object, and our brothers who may visit that remote region of our country, will hereafter be sure of a cordial and fraternal welcome. The great difficulties encountered in the incipient organization of the Order at San Francisco were, 1st, the enormous expense of a room for a place of meeting, the rent being at the rate of about thirty-five dollars for each meeting; and 2d, the migratory habits. of the early visitors to the new State. Rents have since been considerably reduced, and San Francisco has a comparatively large permanent population. EUREKA CHAPTER, No. 1, is now fairly under way, with encouraging prospects. On the 29th of October, the Chapter turned out in the grand procession in honor of the admission of the new State, with thirty-two members in full regalia, and a splendid silken banner, got up at an expense of $100. Go ahead, California! We will shake hands with you in the valley of the Mississippi, shortly. PENNSYLVANIA.-Hancock Chapter, of NewYork, is making arrangements for a visit to Keystone Chapter, of Philadelphia, in June next. We learn that the AMERICAN MECHANICS of that city have united in an invitation to that effect, and we know they will make the trip agreeable. We expect our brothers of Penn. sylvania will give a good account of themselves during the present year. A little good manage ment and industry is all that is necessary to spread the O. U. A. throughout the State from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, and they will do it. FUNERAL SERVICE.-At a session of Chancery, held on Monday, January 13, the report of a Committee, containing a complete Funeral Service and Regulations for the use of the Order, was adopted. Too late to be inserted in the present number of the Republic. The document was ordered to be printed and transmitted to the several Chapters of the Order. A VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI.-Arrangements are in progress for establishing the O. U. A. in the States of Missouri, Illinois and Iowa. renewed American spirit is desirable in that direction, and we expect in the course of three or four months to hear good news from there. Brothers Bonfils, Westbrook and Piggot, will be honored as the pioneers of the valley. LIBERTY TREE CHAPTER, at Albany, is gaining members and thriving. On the 13th of January, the Association gave a grand ball at Bleecker Hall, which was numerously attended. THE ORDER IN CONNECTICUT will celebrate INCREASE OF CHAPTERS.-We have now nearthe Birthday of the Immortal Washington, at ly forty Chapters located in this city and Brookthe approaching anniversary, with appropriate | lyn; and yet there is scarcely a meeting of Chanceremonies, at the ancient city of New-Haven. cery, at which there is not one or more applicaRoger Sherman Chapter, No. 1, acting as the tions for new charters. This evidence of the Chancery of the State, will superintend the prosperity of our Order is truly cheering; but it ceremonies of the occasion, and they have issued has sometimes occurred to us, that it would be invitations to the Order elsewhere, to unite with better to concentrate our strength in a proporthem. New-York would gladly respond to the tionate number of large Chapters, than to disinvitation, were it not that she is to be engaged tribute it among a disproportionate many. The in the same pleasing duty at home. The Order in increase of Chapters evinces a laudable ambition New-York has already consecrated that day to and activity among our members, and proves its own worship, and will henceforth offer up the rapid growth of the Order, yet we should the sacrifice of grateful hearts upon the altar of like to see every new Chapter formed with at His memory. The following is an extract from least thirty charter members, not less than twoa letter just received by the editor, from a mem- thirds of whom should be already members of ber of Roger Sherman Chapter, of New-Haven: the Order. This would afford a basis that would "The Order is progressing in this State. We make the labor light, and place the Chapter at are about instituting a Chapter in Bridgeport, once on a safe footing. and we hope before spring to have a full Chancery in the State. Our Chapter intend celebrating the 22d of February, in this city, in a manner becoming the occasion. Hope to see a large delegation from your city." BROTHER ELY'S ADDRESS.-Those of the Chapters who have not received their quota of copies of Brother Ely's Address, delivered before the Order, at the Tabernacle, on the last anniversary of the birthday of Washington, can do so by notifying the Chairman of their Visiting Committees, and furnishing them with the number of members according to the last quarterly returns. Each member is entitled to one copy through his Chapter, without charge. The Chairmen of Visiting Committees can obtain them of Brother Dunham, the printer, at No. 138 Fulton street, up stairs, for their Chapters, by giving a receipt | acknowledging their delivery. Chapters wishing more than their members' quota, for distribution, will be supplied at the cost price. We desire to see this able American Republican Oration widely distributed. THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY of the Order was observed by Alpha Chapter, No. 1, on Saturday evening, December 21st, and an appropriate address delivered by Chancellor Whitney. We would recommend that the next Anniversary be observed by the Order at large, with ceremonies befitting the occasion. NOVITIATE CHARTERS.-There is in our mind serious objection to granting charters on the application of persons who are not already members of the Order, when it can possibly be avoided. In places where the Order is already established, there is no occasion to do so. The objection is, that Chapters so formed require a long time before they are able to work well-they have to serve an apprenticeship in the work of the Order, as it were, without a teacher, and hence make slow and imperfect progress. To ensure efficiency, we think at least two-thirds of the charter members should, in every case, be already members of the Order. ATTENDANCE OF MEMBERS.-Although our Chapter meetings are generally well attended, there are great numbers of members who seldom attend the meetings, except on the usual quarter night, when they come to pay their dues, and a few who do not attend in person even for that purpose, sending the amount of their dues by the hand of a friend. At the last meeting of Chancery that body passed a vote recognizing the power of Chapters to require the attendance of every member at least once a quarter, and the right to attach a small penalty for delinquency. THE "TWENTY-SECOND." Our patriotic Mayor has recommended a general and appro BY-LAWS.-Chapters wishing to obtain By-priate observance of the Washington birth-day Laws, will do well to look at the advertisements of Brothers Allen, Colt, and Baker, that appear in our advertising department, before getting their work done elsewhere. They all have the Constitution stereotyped, which enables them to get them out cheap, and either of them will do the work handsomely. We like to see those things well executed. anniversary, and we learn that General Sandford intends to order a Division parade on that day. We are glad to see that the people are waking up under our influence. That day of the calendar had become a thing forgotten until the Order of United Americans drew it from oblivion, by their annual ceremonies and parade. The Chancery O. U. A. of the State of New-York, in Regular Session convened, do ordain as follows: 1. All applications made to Chancery for the approval of the By-Laws of any Chapter, or for the amendment of any existing Laws, shall be accompanied by two copies of the By-Laws submitted, each of which shall be correctly engrossed on full sheets of paper, with suitable margins to allow for any amendments or alterations that may be determined on by Chancery. § 2. All such applications shall be referred by Chancery to the Committee on By-Laws, who are required to state, on the margin of each copy, such alterations or amendments as they may deem necessary, and report the same for the action of Chancery. § 3. On the adoption of the report of the Committee on By-Laws by Chancery, the G. C. of the C. shall furnish the Chapter making the application with one copy of the laws as approved by Chancery, and the Chapter shall be allowed to adopt the same on depositing a printed copy with the G. C. of the C., and receiving his official attestation to that effect. 4. No Chapter shall be allowed to adopt any By-Laws, or the Amendments to any existing By-Laws, until the requirements herein contained have been complied with, and the attestation of the G. C. of the C. is obtained. DECISIONS. IN CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. [Adopted Oct. 18th, 1847.] That State Chanceries are both Legislative and Judicial in their powers, designed to enact laws for the government of Chapters, as well as to settle disputes that may arise: Provided such exercise does not interfere with the Constitution of the Order, or the Laws adopted by Arch Chancery for general government. That State Chanceries have the right to establish the minimum age of membership for their own States: Provided, such minimum age is within the range laid down in the Constitution, (viz., 18 to 55 years, inclusive,) and that such regulations do not interfere with the rights acquired by members in other States who may have been admitted into the order, within the Constitutional limits. That State Chanceries have not the right to alter the Initiation Fee to a uniform rate, except said rate be at least Ten Dollars, ($10;) rates may be made larger than the scale given in the Constitution, but not reduced. The Constitution does not prohibit Chapters from re ceiving into Honorary Membership those who are under the age of 55 years. RESOLUTIONS HAVING THE FORCE OF LAW. Resolved: That none but duly initiated members of this Order, shall, on any occasion, be permitted to wear the regalia or insignia thereof, nor to parade or associate with any Chapter of the Order on public occasions. [Adopted, Oct. 16th, 1848.] Resolved: That, hereafter, no Excursion, Ball, Public Entertainment, or Procession, (Funerals excepted.) shall take place, in which the regalia shall be worn, or the name of the Chapter used, without the consent of Chancery. [Adopted, March 5th, 1849.] Resolved: That all Chapters under the jurisdiction of this Chancery, shall withhold the Quarter Password from all members who are three months in arrears on the books of their several Chapters; but all such members shall be entitled to visit their respective Chapters while they remain in membership. [Adopted, March 12th, 1849.] Resolved: That for every member hearafter suspended for the non-payment of dues, in case of the expulsion of such individual, Chancery shall return to the Chapter the amount of assessment paid in when in a suspended state. [Adopted, May 28th, 1849.] Whereas, it appears to be necessary that there should be a statute of limitation in case of Chapter or individual appeals; and whereas there does not appear to be any provision in our Constitution governing the same. Therefore, Resolved: That all parties, individually or in Chapter capacity, considering themselves aggrieved from or by any decision that may hereafter be made, shall make such appeal within thirty days from the time of such decision, or for ever after be debarred from any subsequent action in the premises. [Adopted, May 28th, 1849.] Resolved: That hereafter the C. C.'s of the several Chapters under the jurisdiction of this Chancery be required to notify the respective Chapters, and the G. C. C., of all rejections, suspensions, expulsions and re-instatements, by their several Chapters, stating age, occupation, and residence, together with the cause. [Adopted, Nov. 11th, 1850.] Resolved: That from the First of September to the First of March, the proceedings of this Chancery, shall, hereafter, close at half-past ten o'clock, P. M., at which time the vote on the subject then before the body, shall be taken, unless the time be extended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. [Adopted, March 2d, 1846.] Resolved That all Chapters having less than one hundred members, shall have the privilege of reducing the initiation fees charged above five dollars to that sum. [Adopted, April 13th, 1846.] Resolved: That no Chapter shall be hereafter formed bearing the name of any living person, or of any prominent partisan locality, or character. [Adopted, July 20th, 1846.] Resolved: That it is illegal for any Brother of the O. of U. A. to be a member of more than one Chapter at one and the same time, except as honorary member; but as such honorary member, he shall under no consideration be entitled to take part in the proceedings of, or hold office in said Chapter. [Adopted, Feb. 16th, 1847.] Resolved: That hereafter the Chapters under this jurisdiction shall elect their first class officers, semi-annually, at the first regular meetings in September and March |