Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/American Protective Association

AMERICAN PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION, popularly known as the “A. P. A.,” a secret order organized throughout the United States, with branches in Canada. Its chief doctrine is that “subjection to and support of any ecclesiastical power not created and controlled by American citizens, and which claims equal, if not greater, sovereignty than the Government of the United States of America, is irreconcilable with American citizenship”; and it accordingly opposes “the holding of offices in National, State, or Municipal Government by any subject or supporter of such ecclesiastical power.” Another of its cardinal purposes is to prevent all public encouragement and support of sectarian schools. It does not constitute a separate political party, but seeks to control existing parties. The order was founded March 13, 1887, and at one time had 2,000,000 members. It has virtually died out.