Secret Enemies of True Republicanism: Most important developments regarding the inner life of man and the spirit world, in order to abolish revolutions and wars and to establish permanent peace on earth, also: the plan for redemption of nations from monarchical and other oppresive [sic] speculations and for the introduction of the promised new era of harmony, truth and righteousness on the whole globe

In Short

This book is a dense, idiosyncratic work of nineteenth-century American spiritualism. The author, a former Benedictine monk, argues that current wars and political divisions are caused by "infernal" spirits manipulating human leaders who refuse to accept his divinely revealed plan for a Universal Republic. By combining biblical prophecy with reports of spirit manifestations and his own political lobbying, the author attempts to establish a "Peace Union" to dismantle monarchical systems. It remains a fascinating relic of the era’s intersection between radical political theory and the burgeoning Spiritualist movement.

The Story

The arc of the book follows the author’s lifelong mission to establish the "Millennium"—or the Universal Republic—on earth. The narrative begins with the author’s transition from a Benedictine monk and professor of biblical literature in Europe to an American-based medium and visionary. He asserts that he has been in direct contact with "Heavenly Congresses" and martyr spirits who guide his every action. The early chapters establish his conviction that the existing world order, dominated by the Roman Catholic Church and monarchical structures, is a deliberate system of bondage.

As the argument progresses, the author recounts his repeated, failed attempts to convince world leaders—including Emperor Napoleon III, President James Buchanan, and various American congressmen—to adopt his system. He views these men as trapped within the "shackles of infernal Papal Imperial Royal Magnetism," unable to see the spiritual truth. He details specific, often tense, interactions with prominent American figures and reformers like Gerrit Smith, whom he attempts to convert to his cause. In each instance, when these figures refuse his guidance, the author interprets their rejection as proof of their subjugation to "destroying spirits" who incite war and revolution to maintain the status quo.

The narrative reaches a midpoint where the author shifts his focus from lobbying high-level politicians to building a "Centre" for his Peace Union. He describes the use of spirit communication to identify loyal followers, even recounting a strange, mystical episode involving a catalogue of 144 witnesses, mirroring the 144,000 mentioned in the Book of Revelation. He argues that material wealth is a distraction, and that true followers must live in a state of communal ownership, shedding private possessions to serve the coming era.

The final phase of the book details the logistical and spiritual preparations for a grand convention meant to launch this new society. The author insists that if the nations do not heed his warnings and participate in this communal transformation, they will inevitably succumb to the "infernal furies" of war. He concludes with an urgent plea for his readers to support the establishment of a printing office and a community center in Pennsylvania. He does not offer a peaceful, gradual transition; rather, he presents an ultimatum: join the Peace Union and embrace the "true Republicanism" of his spiritual vision, or remain under the yoke of the old, corrupt systems that are destined for destruction.

How It Unfolds

The prophetic calling The author establishes his credentials as a former monk turned messenger, claiming direct, authenticated guidance from heavenly spirits. He asserts that his mission is to replace all earthly governments with a single, divine republic.

The refusal of the powerful The narrative recounts the author’s frustrated efforts to persuade monarchs and American presidents to adopt his peace system. Each rejection by these leaders is framed as a victory for "infernal demons" who thrive on war and degradation.

Spiritual diagnostics The author explains the "science" of his mission, describing how spirits communicate through rapping and human mediums. He uses these encounters to judge the character of political figures and activists, frequently labeling those who ignore him as agents of darkness.

The structure of the new era The focus shifts to the practical implementation of the Universal Republic through communal living and the pooling of resources. The author provides a detailed, mystical justification for a "foundation catalogue" of 144 followers who will serve as the core of his new society.

The call to the center The book concludes with a final, desperate plea for financial and physical support to build a permanent Peace Union center. The author prepares the reader for a concluding convention, maintaining that the end of the current, corrupt world order is imminent.

The People

The author, Andrew B. Smolnikar, is the central, driving force—a man convinced of his own divine appointment, who views himself as the only person capable of interpreting the spiritual forces governing human history. He is unyielding, often impatient, and deeply suspicious of any authority—ecclesiastical or political—that does not align with his specific vision of a "Universal Republic."

The political leaders he targets, such as James Buchanan and Napoleon III, are portrayed not as independent actors, but as vessels for either "Heavenly" or "infernal" influences. To the author, their failure to act on his proposals is evidence of their spiritual blindness or their bondage to "monarchical speculation."

The figures he encounters in his travels, like the reformer Gerrit Smith or the Quaker preacher Joseph Dugdale, are treated as potential, if ultimately failed, allies. The author views them through a lens of spiritual warfare; they are either capable of redemption through his message or hopelessly misled by "destroying spirits." Finally, the "144 witnesses" serve as an idealized collective, representing the necessary body of believers who will eventually form the backbone of the new society, functioning as "lively stones" in the structure of the New Jerusalem he seeks to build.

In Its Own Voice

"By the developments made in this book the secret enemies of true Republicanism are made manifest, and it is made clear, how every party and sect, notwithstanding their profession of republicanism, are supporting Popery, or, what is the same Monarchy, if they disregard our disclosures concerning the Roman Catholic and the Protestant churches in reference to Christ's Peaceable Reign."

The author explains the primary goal of the book, which is to expose the hidden, corrupt connections between organized religion and monarchical government.

"The measure of crimes in Europe was filled, the Heavenly congress with whom we are connected, gave permission to the infernal demons to carry their medium with the war insignia to Europe, and to announce to the infernal demons in Europe, that the time had arrived for them to inspire their mediums to break out in their fury and spread destruction."

The author provides his spiritual interpretation of the origins of war, attributing geopolitical violence to the direct influence of demonic spirits.

What It's Really About

The book is fundamentally an argument for the "theocratic republic." It posits that human politics is merely a surface-level manifestation of a much deeper, unseen conflict between heaven and hell. The author is preoccupied with the idea that the American experiment—republicanism—is incomplete and vulnerable to being subverted by "Popery," which he uses as a catch-all term for autocratic control. He argues that peace cannot be achieved through treaties or diplomacy but only through a radical, spiritual conversion of the entire social order. The book asks whether humanity is capable of organizing itself into a perfect, communal harmony, or if it is destined to be perpetually manipulated by the invisible spirits of the dead.

Why Read It Today

Reading this work is an exercise in encountering an intense, highly specific historical consciousness. It will appeal to readers interested in the history of American religious movements, the roots of nineteenth-century spiritualism, and the eccentricity of fringe utopian thought. It captures the frantic energy of a man who believed he was living in the final hours of an old world order.

However, the reader must be prepared for the author’s dense, idiosyncratic prose, which is heavily laden with the specific, often convoluted jargon of his own making. The text is not a linear story, but a recursive, repetitive argument that demands patience. The author’s biases—including his intense anti-Catholicism and his dismissive attitude toward contemporary political figures—reflect the deep, often harsh prejudices of his time. What stays with you is not necessarily the logic of his plan, but the sheer, unwavering conviction of his voice. He creates a world where every newspaper headline is a message from the spirit realm and every personal slight is a skirmish in a cosmic war. It is an uncomfortable, fascinating glimpse into the mind of a prophet who lived on the margins, convinced that the entire world was waiting for his next circular.