AOUM was a Masonic order. They changed their name over the years, but it stood for "Americans of the Order of United Mechanics". Originally they called themselves Workers, not Mechanics. A spin-off group added "Jr." (Junior). Not sure what the exact meaning is of "mechanics", but their platform was to greatly reduce immigration. Perhaps they viewed themselves as social mechanics. The order began around 1840 in PA, and spread across the country.
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