Patriotic Order Sons of America

The order disappeared with the collapse of the Know-Nothing Party, but was resuscitated in 1868, this time minus the epithet “United.” The degrees were Red, White, and Blue, and the women’s auxiliary was the (Patriotic) Daughters of America.

There was even (according to the Philadelphia Public Ledger of September 1, 1923) a “fun” or “mummers” division of the Patriotic Order, Sons of America, called the Rough Riders.

of A. also played a significant role in supporting and helping fund the Centennial and Memorial Association of Valley Forge[3] after Regent Anna Morris Holstein[4] approached them to help with saving, acquiring and preserving Washington's Headquarters[5] and a portion of nearby surrounding acreage, which today is known as Valley Forge Park.

By disseminating sentiments of loyalty and patriotism and by establishing a fraternal feeling of devotion to country among all its citizens, we hope to make it impossible for any one to live under the protection of the Flag of the United States of America who does not honor and revere it, and who would not be willing, if necessary, to render any sacrifice or service in defense of the principles of freedom and justice which it represents.

Realizing that the future welfare of our country rests in the youth of today, we especially invite them into our ranks, that, by taking active interest in the principles of our Order, and by practicing leadership fraternally, they may thereby more readily and intelligently become acquainted with the problems of government and in leadership among men that leads to a citizenship that stands aggressively for the highest duty of man—the preservation of its greatest purity and strength, the government of the people, by and for the people.

We are opposed to the occupancy of any part of our land by foreign speculators or adventurers, and we believe that all the resources of the nation should be reserved for the exclusive use of American citizens.

We stand for a citizenship that so conducts its influences and action—socially, politically, morally and religiously—as to promote the highest welfare of our country, and pledges its full allegiance to our flag, and the liberty and justice to all that it represents.

We demand the restriction of immigration, not on account of race or religious creeds, but upon physical, mental and moral grounds, that our country may cease to be filled with criminals, agitators against law and order, insane and paupers.

Section 1.—Any American male person shall be entitled to membership in the Order if he be of good moral character, at least sixteen years of age, a believer in the existence of a Supreme Being as Creator and Preserver of the Universe, born on the soil or under the jurisdiction of the United States, in favor of free education, opposed to any union of Church and State, and to the interference of any Foreign power, directly or indirectly, with the Government, and not affiliated with any secular, religious, or other organization opposed or antagonistic to the American System of free public schools.

The public website of the National Patriotic Order Sons of America contains the following mission statement: We support and pledge to defend the Constitution of the United States and the rights of every citizen to enjoy the liberties set forth in that document.