King of the Anti-Secretists

Among detractors of secret societies, the idea that Masons were responsible for the Civil War was common. Jonathan Blanchard embraced this theory wholeheartedly. While southern Masonry did have ties to the southern elite and slavery, Blanchard and the other anti-secretists were going too far by blaming secret societies for the whole of the war.

Jonathan's eloquence on secret societies was prolific. Charles Albert once asked at the dinner table, “Father, can we not speak about something in this house besides Free Masonry? I am extremely weary of the whole subject.”

Jonathan Blanchard struggled with being a leader for a national movement. He was set in his beliefs and refused to make compromises to gain political allies. He was often critical of those whose beliefs did not align with his own. His criticisms were harsh and unyielding. He also refused to soften his stance even when his goals aligned with those of certain societies. His refusal to compromise caused a rift between the National Christian Association and some of its former allies.