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■ - s -—■ i UNION RECORDER, MILEEDCEVIIXE. CA., NOVEMBER I, l«» The Knights of Columbus an minded, from time to time, of th* perrist.nt purpose of certain person: to stir up religious hatred.- in electior years. Lately copies of the notori ou« “bogus foi>*“h dvgree oath” at tributed to them have been ciri lated in \arious part- of the count This offensive production, which about equally blasphemous and volting, ha- been circulated < ccam< ally, for many years. It is an < and worn-out imposture and among intelligent persons defeats its owr ends hy its own absurdity. Perhap- the best way to n»ak* clear what the obligation is which if a-sumed by the Knight- of Colum bus on entering the organization is to print it a« it really is: “I swear to support the Constitu tion of the United States. I pledge myself, as a Catholic citizen and Knight ot Columbus, to enlighten myself fully upon my duties as a ci'.i- such duties entirely in the inter-t of iry country und regardless of nil per- I pledge to do -ill i integrity i »y pui openly ently. civic duty and holds up the constitu tion of our country as the richest and most precious possession of a knight of the oidei ” They state further that they "can find nothing in the entire ceremonials of the order that to our minds could be objeted to by uny person." A.- a thirty-third degree Mason and a working member of the Masonic [ a pr itatioi and conduit myself in public affairs, and reflect nothing hut credit upon our Holy Church, to the end that she may flourish and our country prosper to the greater honor and glory of God.'’, If this is not a simple pledg- o good Americanism and honest citizen ship. what would be? Much has been printed by those circulating the bogus Knights of Co lumbus “Oath" tending to mislead the ptildic into ludieving that in some way CongrcHs had found it to be true. They referred to the Congressional Record of February 15, 1 S» 1:». for the proof of the genuineness of this scur rilous so-called "Oath." In the Con gressional Record of February 15, I f 11. page* 3215 et seq.. appears a report of the Committee on Elections No. 1 on the centered election case of Eugene C. Bonniwell □ gains* Thomas C. Butler. The contestant had alleged that the circulation of the "Oath" against him was libelous and a use of means not to he recognized, etc. After reciting the “Oath" the ports among other things a.* * allows: "Thi*' committee cannot condemn too f’ rongly the publication of the false and libelous article referred to in the paper of Mr. Bonniwell, and which was the spurious Knights of -Columbus Oath, a copy of which is ■pended to the paper. It al-o con- trjts the publication of editorials to excite religious prejudice in a political campaign. No man should I e persecuted for hi religion, whe h- *t he be Catholic or Protestant.” The matter came before Congress again on January 29. 1915, when Wil liam Kittr.?r. a Congre-sman from I California, delivered tre following Mi. Kettnir. Mr. Chairman, in this morning's- mail I received a pam- phlt from California dealing with n subject thai ha- engrossed mv otten- j tion for some time past. It deals wHh the report of four very promi-j ni u citizens of my State, all Free Manor . mu! active in hat fraternal)! order. The report i- made to Judge Paul McCormick, of Los Angelos Id n Bi.van Catholic citizen of that city, 4 sent this report of these distinguish ed and fair-minded men on a sub ject which has l**en gro sly misrep resented and has caused religiou bitterr.esy und strife. I Ix-lieve in justice and fair play. In the Sixty- second Congress the < ommittee on Elections No. 1, in a c rtain contest ed election case, incorporated in their report (H. Kept. No. 1623) an alleg ed oath or obligation of the Knights of Columbus, the publication of the said alleged oath being in connection « .th a contest for membership in this boily. Thin alleged oath, which can be found in the bound Congressional Record of the Sixty-second Congress, third session, page 3216, was used to Jetrimcnt of the Knights of Co lumbus, whose critics pointed to the publication of the Congrertdonal Rcc- 1 of the alleged oath ns sort of proof of its genuineness. The alleg- il oath having found publication in le Congressional Record, I think it but fair that this report dealing with the oath of the Knights of Columbus by this distinguished Masonic com mittee should likewise be given the name prominence. The following letter* need planation: Hon. Paul J. McCormick, Court Bouse, Los Angeles. My Dear Judge: 1 take pleasure in handing you herewith the findings of th- committee of Free Masons to whom you exhibited the cermonials hiij pledges of the Order of Knight- of Columbus. I am very glad tha~ I have been able, in a measure, to secure this re futation of a slande rous He which has- been widely circulated and which has been disseminated in many cases by well-meaning, credulous and deluded persons. I shall see to it that this- report ha^ wide circulation among Masons and you may use it in any way you deem best to bring about an understanding of the truth among men who. above all controversies and contentions, de sire to knew and to follow that which i- right and true. Yours cordially, W. R. HERVEY. October 9, 1914. Wo hereby certify that by au- • thority of the highest officer of the h • of Golumbua in th Stat * California, who acted under instruc- | (ions from the supreme officer of th .. der in the United States, we v-erc j furnished a complete copy of all th* work, ceremonies, und pledges used ! by the order, and that we carefully i read, discussed and examine*! the I same. We found that while the order I is in a sens* a s*eret association, it i. not an oath-bound organization. Qjiie new Quick is the new Stifle Men and women on every street- --in every city and town--are pro nouncing the new B UIC IC.with Masterpiece Bodies by Fisher,the most beautiful automobile of the day -------- Never before in the history of motor car manufacture ha\e the motorists of America welcomed any new automobile as (hey are welcoming the Silver Anniver sary Buick with new Master piece Bodies by Fisher! Sweeping into the market at a time when motor car lines were practically standardized—when imitation was destroying indi viduality—these epic Buick creations introduced an entirely new mode — A mode of body-symmetry—of size and magnificence—of soft contours instead of straight I and that its ceremonies arc comprised ! in four degrees which are intended to teach and inculcate principles that 1 lie at the foundation of every great religion and every free State. Our examination of these ceremonials and obligations was made primarily for the purpose of ascertaining whether t-r not a ertain alleged oath of the Knight.-- of Columbus, which lj*s been . ’i inted and widely circulated, was : .n fact used by the order, and whether! if it were not used, uny oath, obli-j gallon, or pledge was used which was or would be offensive to Protestants | or Masons, or those who are engaged; in circulating a document of peculiar viciouanesw and wickedness. We find j that neither the alleged oath nor any j oath or pledge bearing the remotest; resemblance thereto in matter, man ner, spirit or purpose is used or forms gree of the Knights of Columbus. The alleged oath is scurrilous, wicked and libelous, and must be the inven tion of an impious and venomous mind. We find that the order of Knights of Columbus, as shown by its rituals, is dedicated to the Catholic religion, charity and patriotism. There in no propaganda proposed or taught against Protestants or Masons or per- .-<>ns not of Catholic faith. Indeed, j Protestants and Masons are not re ferred to directly or indirectly in the c remnolals and pledges. The cere- n part of the ceremonies of any de- monials of the order teacher a high and noble patriotism, instils a love of country, inculcates a reverence for law and order, urges the conscien tious and unselfish performance of civic duty, and holds up the Constitu tion of our country as the richest and mot* precious possession of a knight of ‘.he order. We can find nothing in the entire ceremonials of the order that to our minds could be objected to by any person. MOTLEY HEWES'FLINT. Thirty-third Degree Past Grand Mas ter of Masons of California. DANA REID WELLER, Thirty-second Degree Past Grand Master of Masons of California. WM. RHODES HERVEY. Thirty-third Degree Past Master and Matter of Scottish Rite Lodge. SAMUEL E. BURKE. Thirty-second Degree Past Master and Inspector of Masonic District. Various publishers and distributors •of this “Oath” have been brought to court und found guilty of malicious libel. Among others wan ti.e case of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vs. Charles Megonegal and Clarence H. Stage which was tried in Philadelphia on February 20, 1913. Both defend ants were found guilty. The case of the State of Minnesota vs. A. M. Morrison and Garfield E. Morrison, the editor* and publishers of th? Mankato Morning Journal, Mankato, Minn. Thin case was tried in Waterville, Minn., on July 29, 19!4. Both defendants were found! guilty. Also People vs. Turner, tried at Santa Cruz, Cal., on October 28, 1914. H. S. Turner, editor of the Santa Cruz News of Santa Cruz, Cal., was found guilty. This case is re ported in 28 Cal. Appeal 766, 154 itterapted to prove it. .uthenticiu In f.ct the order ha. had po.ted some years a .landing off., , 2 - 000 to oe paid to anyone who couli prove that the Knight, of ColuioU had any connection whatever u .' any such oath. Editor’. Note-The public.,j„„ tne above article is paid for by a local member of the order of Kr.ight Columbus with the purpose of . in the hunds of his fair minded fell,,,, citizens the real fact, concerning thi. malicious .lander now being used flir political purposes in our citv Adv. 34. State. 166 ; also con- i distribut- In the case of Crane vi Tac. 1110, Roy Crane w victed for malicious libel ing thin false “Oath.” There likewise have been other cases brought into court in various states in the Union, all with the same result It has been proved over and over again that this socill "Oath” is a vicious and malicious libel und the publishers and distributors when ever fuccd with the issue, have never FOR RENT—3 unfurnished upst«i r » room.. Light, and wale, fnrnl.hni Phone 480. 666 Caret Chilli tad Fever, Utermitteat, Remittent and Mliaiu Fever doe la Malaria. It kill* the Gerau. . illy steel paneling work em ployed on any car in the world! And as the weeks have passed— and the full significance of dented proportions! Buick sales records hi*.* been broken! Production schedules have been increased again and again! The great Buick plants are working to the limit of their capacity to supply the demand. nhc ofilver ^Anniversary* BUICK RALPH SIMMERSON, Buick Dealer KNOW the convenience of having lamps on hand ready :o replace burnouts as they occur. Buy them at these new low prices. Pay no money down. Buy as many cartons as you like and pay for them ia three monthly installments [Monthly Pay’ts] Six 60-watt lamps $1.32 - - - - 4lc Six 23-watt lamps $1.20 - - - - 40c Georgia POWER COMPANY had th. supreme offictr of the Knights olumbus in the United State?, a the ork. < and pledgvi ed In der ; thi Knight- of Columbus for their full examination and inspection. That Masonic committee consisting of Motley Hewes Flint, thirty-third do ::r • Mason and past grand master of Mr -ons of California, formerly post master of the city of Lo» Angeles, and president of one of the largest bank-’ in hat city; Dana Reid Weller, ond deg Ma pas; grand master of California, and a distinguished member of the Cali fornia bar; William Rhode.-. Hervey. thirty-third degre Mason and past master and master of Scottish Rite Lodge, and formerly a superior court judge of Los Angelejj County: and Samuel E. Burke, thirty-second de gre? Mar on and past master and in spector of Masonic district, one of the most prominent dentists ..f Los Angelos. Tr . four men, than whn.n none sfar.d higher for probity and honor in the State of California, and who are throughout the State for their adherence to th" highest standard? of personal integrity, have just made a report on the ceremonies and ritu al of the Knights of Columbus. They find unanimously that “the ceremon ial of the Order teaches a high and noble patriotism, instils a love of country, inculcates a reverence for law and order, urges the consden- 1 ' tiou* and unselfizh performance * 1 Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard, And found that the cupooard was bare, She ’phonedrightaway, "Send Omega today,” And now she has goodies to spare! Sold :>;• monl a!) tr.i- ^iixvn; in and around Milledgeviile. NOTICE To Ail Buick Owners i wish to say that our service department is open and operated to give the best service that is possible to Buick owners. Our mechanics are constantly being posted with bulletins issued by Buick Motor Company and no other than a autho rized Buick service station can possibly secure this information and without these bulletins no mechanic can stay well posted. Not only these bulletins are furnish ed. but the Buick Motor Company has a service clinic once each year and all ser vice men meet and for one or two days talk and discuss their experiences they have had during the past time. I also wish to say that it is perfectly natural for. the mechanics that are working for a Buick Dealer to take more interest in a Buick automobile than a so-called mechanic at one of these shade tree garages or back alley repair shops. Our repair shop is well equipped with special Buick tools that you will not find at other places and we have nothing and use nothing but genuine Buick parts, prices on Buick repairs are standard and reasonable all over the world, and the customer can find out just what he is going to be charged with before leaving his or her car. Our mechanics are W. N. Knight and Robert Ash- field. and they wish to extend to you a hearty welcome to our service department and assure you that you will be treated as they would like to be treated them selves. Ralph Simmerson BUICK DEALER )