Your theory that a secret shadow government has been in charge since the 1800s is just not historical. You may as well claim the masons are in charge.
It was the Stone Cutters I saw it in a Simpsons episode. Since it was on TV it must be true! The only only thing better would be Internet.
And here once again we have an issue of definitions. "Shadow Government" is simply a short hand for "Crony Capitalists influence buyers of great wealth, and their bribed government fixers."
If you are a student of history, you will note the massive spike in corruption following the Civil War. The Grant Administration was considered one of the most corrupt in our History, (not Grant himself) and it was exactly the sort of influence peddling and quid pro quo governance of which we are now dealing.
I'm not saying some cult like cabal was having arcane rituals while they plotted to take over the world, i'm saying that good old fashioned greedy American businessmen learned that they could buy legislation and influence, and also at that time in history they finally had the money to do it!