propagandum

propagandumnoun

• 1

  archaicAn idea or topic spread with the goal of convincing or influencing large numbers of people, regardless of its actual validity.

  • From this point of view, as a propagandum of political freedom, Freemasonry is worthy of a profound study, and also entitled to the gratitude and reverence of all good and benevolent men. It has contributed largely to the social improvement of our race, and to the establishment of civil liberty.
  • The two per cent theory as to interest, to be effected by an interconvertible bond, which has been taken up and made a propagandum by the Farmers’ Alliance and a platform by the Populists, was originated by one Kellogg, the author of a book entitled “A New Economic System,” which appeared probably as early as 1858.
• 2

  archaicA campaign to spread such an idea or topic.

  • Furthermore, groups of people with common interests, schools of thought, societies for promoting reform and other organizations have deepened the loyalty of their members and carried on a propagandum by means of summer gatherings. So, too, individual teachers with their assistants have gone to the country to teach languages, music and art.
  • Concluding, I shall venture to point out that, if our profession should fail to attain and to keep up a reasonable interest in this ultra-important matter, it will be made inevitably a reproach to it. Thus far, fortunately, it has not been made a subject either for a propagandum or for quackery; but the subject has great potentialities for zealots as well as for charlatans.