After the Civil War, local Masonic orders began to construct meeting halls. Having met in secret for so long, their presence had become less noticeable. With the construction of meeting halls and temples, however, anti-Masonic sentiment rose again. By the early 1870s, religious anti-masonry was on the upswing. Some Christian leaders believed that Masonry was undermining the political and religious foundations of the nation, and some of them called for each religious denomination to ban Masons from their membership. The United Brethren, United Presbyterians, and Conservative Quakers prohibited any Mason from being a member, and many individual Baptist and Congregationalist bodies did so without the nationwide blessing of their denominations.

The political party emerged in Vermont in 1871. An "Anti-masonic Society" was organized in Windham County VT on 9/15/1871. Among those present was Austin Birchard, who had been active in the party in the campaigns of 1831-1832. John W. Phelps VT was chosen the President of the society. [NYT 9/23/1871]

This second Anti-Masonic Party existed from 1872 until 1884. Throughout much of its history, Jonathan Blanchard was the driving force behind the party.

Convention Organization

The 1st Anti-Masonic Party National Convention assembled in the Second Congregational Church building in Oberlin OH on 5/20-22/1872.

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After the Civil War, local Masonic orders began to construct meeting halls. Having met in secret for so long, their presence had become less noticeable. With the construction of meeting halls and temples, however, anti-Masonic sentiment rose again. By the early 1870s, religious anti-masonry was on the upswing. Some Christian leaders believed that Masonry was undermining the political and religious foundations of the nation, and some of them called for each religious denomination to ban Masons from their membership. The United Brethren, United Presbyterians, and Conservative Quakers prohibited any Mason from being a member, and many individual Baptist and Congregationalist bodies did so without the nationwide blessing of their denominations.

The political party emerged in Vermont in 1871. An "Anti-masonic Society" was organized in Windham County VT on 9/15/1871. Among those present was Austin Birchard, who had been active in the party in the campaigns of 1831-1832. John W. Phelps VT was chosen the President of the society. [NYT 9/23/1871]

This second Anti-Masonic Party existed from 1872 until 1884. Throughout much of its history, Jonathan Blanchard was the driving force behind the party.

Convention Organization

The 1st Anti-Masonic Party National Convention assembled in the Second Congregational Church building in Oberlin OH on 5/20-22/1872. Delegates were present from ten states.

Chairman: Jonathan Blanchard of Wheaton College

The remainder of the first day of the convention was occupied with organization and speeches on recent anti-masonic activity and the alleged evils of masonry. [Cleveland Morning Daily Herald, 5/22/1872]

After two days of listening to speeches, C.A. Blanchard rose and placed Charles F. Adams in nomination for U.S. President and C.H. Howard in nomination for U.S. Vice President. This move was not anticipated, and several delegates objected to a Christian body acting as a political body. The chairman gave his opinion that the convention could nominate or not as it saw fit. A motion to offer a national ticket passed 33-28.

By this time, many delegates had already left for home. The convention had been in session for two complete days listening to anti-masonic speeches. When a delegate made a motion that the remaining delegates should not make nominations with a large portion of the original number not present, Chairman Blanchard offered a spirited speech advocating making the nominations. Shortly thereafter, the afternoon session adjourned.

The evening session gathered at 7:30 on 5/22. J.A. Hart served as chairman for this session. The convention unanimously nominated Charles F. Adams for President and Charles H. Howard of Chicago for VP. A committee was appointed to approve an address to the nation, after which the convention adjourned sine die. [Cleveland Morning Daily Herald, 5/24/1872]

Campaign

Blanchard’s dream of a new anti-Masonic Party began inauspiciously. Adams declined to run for obvious reasons. Howard declined on 6/6/1872; in his response, printed in the NYT 6/7/1872, Howard stated that the most serious secret society of which he was aware was the Klan, and that the most effective means of combating the Klan was the re-election of President Grant. The party did not attempt to field another ticket in 1872 and used the name of the American National Party in 1876.

Popular vote of 1872

Electoral vote of 1872

American National Party Convention (2d), 1876

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