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Stated at copyright: "Entered according to Act of Congresss in the year 1873 by Gen'l. J. W. Phelps in the office to the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C." This first edition volume features second book following first, which is edited by H. L. Kellogg: "College Secret Societies: Their Customs, Character, and Efforts for Their Suppression," with 1874 date at its title page. Original dark brown cloth boards with blind-stamped decorative borders at front and back, rubbed gilt spine titles, moderate shelf wear, bump, discoloration. Pages generally very good, clean with light toning. Antiquarian stamp at title page: "For Sale By: The National Christian Association, 221 W. Madison Ave., Chicago." Patterned gold and cream floral endpapers. Bind good, moderate cant. Rare first edition in original cover and bind with clean interior. Statement at title page: "By correcting the infirmities of popular Government, it will prevent the disgust against that form which may otherwise produce a sudden transition to some very different one. It is no secret to any attentive and dispassionate observer of the political situation of the United States, that the real danger to republican liberty has lurked in that cause." - James Madison. The Madison statement would seem to indicate that the regular transition of representatives and executives in America's government was vulnerable to manipulation, corruption and alteration, especially from secretive groups and entities as General Phelps presents here. Be a man and not a minion. John Wolcott Phelps born November 13, 1813 was a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War, an author, an ardent abolitionist and a presidential candidate. Phelps also translated a related titles to this volume: Lucien de la Hodde's "The Cradle of Rebellions: A History of the Secret Societies of France." Phelps was the presidential candidate for the Anti-Masonic Party in 1880 with running mate Samuel C. Pomeroy of Kansas. The Phelps/Pomeroy ticket ran on the prohibition of alcoholic beverages, prohibition of all secret lodges, justice for Indians, and demanding the Bible be a required text in all educational institutions, etc. "Table of Contents. I. The Antiquity of Secret Societies; II. The Life of Julian; III. The Eleusinian Mysteries; IV. Origin of Masonry; V. Was Washington a Mason; VI. Fillmore's and Webster's deference to Masonry; VII. A brief outline of the progress of Masonry in the United States; VIII. The Tammany Ring; IX. The Credit Mobilier Ring; X. Masonic Benevolence; XI. The uses of Masonry; XII. An Illustration; XIII. The Conclusion." Statement from title page: "By correcting the infirmities of popular Government, it will prevent the disgust against that form which may otherwise produce a sudden transition to some very different one. It is no secret to any attentive and dispassionate observer of the political situation of the United States, that the real danger to republican liberty has lurked in that cause." - James Madison. The Madison statement would seem to indicate that the regular transition of representatives and executives in America's government was vulnerable to manipulation, corruption and alteration, especially from secretive groups and entities as General Phelps presents here. Be a man and not a minion. 240 pages and 88 pages. Insured post. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.
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