The Patriotic Order Sons of America is an American patriotic fraternal organization that traces its origins to the anti-alien riots of the 1840s. Founded in 1847 in Philadelphia, the P.O.S. of A. once had "camps" (chapters) in well over 20 states. At its peak, there were more than 800 Camps in Pennsylvania alone. Today, the society maintains a presence only in Pennsylvania, where it has 14 camps. The national headquarters are in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
History It was founded as the Junior Sons of America, which was established in Philadelphia on December 10, 1847, by Dr. Reynell Coates. This organization was for young men aged 16 to 21. and was a 'feeder' group for the Sons of America. The parent group died out not long after, but the Junior Sons continued. Only one Camp remained active during the Civil War, as most members had volunteered for the Union. Camps in southern states largely disappeared. Following the Civil War, it reorganized, changing its name to Patriotic Order Sons of America.
Distinguishing features of the Order are its opposition to unrestricted immigration and its support of free public education.
The entry for the group in Alan Axelrod's The International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders contains a number of factual errors, but it reads as follows:
According to The International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders, the group emerged as an anti-Catholic and anti-immigration society in Philadelphia prior to 1847. While the order declined following the collapse of the Know-Nothing Party, it was later revived in 1868.
The P.O.S. of A. also played a significant role in supporting and helping fund the Centennial and Memorial Association of Valley Forge after Regent Anna Morris Holstein approached them to help with saving, acquiring and preserving Washington's Headquarters and a portion of nearby surrounding acreage, which today is known as Valley Forge Park.
The P.O.S. of A. was organized under a National Camp, which had the power to issue charters to local camps, and also State Camps, which had a similar power. These are membership figures reported for 1900 to the 1901 meeting of the National Camp in Buffalo, New York.Proceedings of the National Camp Patriotic Order Sons of America, Twenty-first Regular Sessions, Held at Buffalo, New York, September 24 and 25, 1901 (Philadelphia: Camp News, 1901), p. 82.
State Camp Members Pennsylvania 62,317 New Jersey 5,151 Maryland 2,648 New York 1,709 Illinois 801 Ohio 421 Indiana 451 Connecticut 701 Colorado 311 Louisiana 149 Com. General 1,191
Platform of Principles, 1933 From its origin in 1847, the P.O.S. of A. has been distinguished by its wariness of unrestrained immigration and its support of free public education for all. These distinctive features can be seen in its "Platform of Principles" adopted in 1933. The 1933 platform emphasized several core tenets:
Patriotism: Defining loyalty to the country as a high noble affection and essential for safeguarding national institutions.
Governance: Expressing a preference for the American form of government and opposition to "un-American" sentiments or foreign control.
Education: Supporting the free public school system as a "bulwark of liberty," while opposing sectarian or foreign influences in schools.
Immigration: Demanding restrictions on immigration based on physical, mental, and moral grounds rather than race or creed.State Camp of Pennsylvania and Subordinate Camp Constitution Preceded by the National Camp Constitution and General Laws of the Patriotic Order of Sons of America (Philadelphia: P.O.S.A, 1945, pp. 5-7. Race and the P.O.S. of A. The Order's constitution, as of 1934 and 1946, contained the following language:
While the above language does not mention race at all, some believe it was for white males only. Today, the order welcomes American citizens of all races.
Mission statement, circa 2019 The public website of the National Patriotic Order Sons of America contains the following mission statement:
See also Bernard J. Cigrand List of fraternal organizations Nativism (politics)
References
External links
National Patriotic Order Sons of America