Newspaper Page Text
Hims mtft Sentinel.
COLUMBUS, GRORGIaT
~ FRIDAY MORNING, JULY 27,1855.
-
FOR GOVERNOR.
liuustixuL V. JOIL\SOH.
FOR CONGRESS*
Ist District—James L. Seward, of Thomas.
2d f n M. J-Cravvlord, of Muscogee,
3d. “ James 91. Smith, of Upson.
4lh *• Hiram Warner, of Meriwether.
sth “ Jno. 11. Lumpkin, of iFloyd.
(ill, 44 Howell Cobh, of Clarke.
Circulate the Documents—Know Nothingism
Revealed.
We have on hand several Tracts for the Times
which we will sell low for cash,
1. Tract of 20 pages containing A. H. Stephens’
speeches at Augusta and Sparta, Win. Moseley’s letter,
the vote upon the Nebraska-Kansas Bill, the Democrat
ic Flatform, &o.: $8 per hundred.
2. Traot of eight pages containing the Constitution
and By Laws, oaths, grips, pass words, et cetera, of the
Order of Know Nothingism ; $5 a hundred.
KNOW NOTHINGISM UNVAILED.
The Oaths of the Three Degrees.
We now come to a more interesting portion of the
Ritual. A careful consideration of the solemn oaths
taken by the members of the order will more fully un
vail the seorots of this detestable organization than all
their Platforms and addresses. The Kernel of Know
Nothingism is the obligations imposed in the several
degrees. Let us consider them in their order.
First Degree Council — Obligation. —The mem
bers of this degree swear Ist, not to vote, nor give their
influence to any man, for any office, unless he be an
Amerioan born citizen, and not to him if ho be a Ro
man Catholic : 2d, in all political matters, to obey the
will of the majority of the Councils, though it may con-
flict with their personal preference, provided it is not
unconstitutional: 3d, to obey an imperative notice issued
by the proper authority : 4th, to obey the President of
the Council or his deputy when thus assembled : sth,
to respond to a sign or a cry of distress of the order,
unless it be physically impossible to do so: Gtb, to ac
knowledge the State and National Councils as the rul
ing authority and the supreme tribunal of the order :
and all this they swear to do and perform under penal
ty of excommunication, the forfeiture of all intercourse
with the members of the order, and being denounced from
Maine to’California, in all the societies as a willful traitor
to their God and country. We have not overstated
the obligaiion. Turn to the obligation of the First De
gree Council and you will see that we have copied the
very language of the oath.
We now see how much truth there is in the Plat
form and addresses of the order as to their good will to
naturalized foreigners and their pretended regard for
religious toleration. No Know Nothing can vote for
either a foreign born citizen or a Catholic without in
curring the moral guilt of perjury. Yet they affect to
be “very good friends” of naturalized citizens! and
would not for the world deprive them of any “vested
right!’’
But, bad as this is, there are still other fea
tures of the obligation quite as odious. The members
of the order are compelled by their oaths to yield irn
plicit obedience to the will of the majority of the order
in all political matters ; and therefore to support the
nominations of the party for all ollioes, no matter how
unworthy they may be, nor how odious may be their
political principles!
We have heretofore denounced Know Nothing
ism as the “old caucus system organized.’’ It is
worse than Jjthis: It is an organized despotism to
which the membership swear obedience. They are
sworn to answer an “imperative notice” and to obey the
command ot the President and his deputy when as
sembled by such notice, and to respond to a sign or a
cry of distress, given by any member of the order, we
suppose, unless it be physically impossible. We can
now understand the result of all the election riots which
disgraced the Northern cities during the past twelve
months and the singular faot that Sam always came off
conqueror. The President or his deputy have sworn
bands who are compelled to do his bidding. Is this
tolerable in a free country ? Cannot any one see to
what dreadful uses a bad and turbulent man may put
this fearful power ? By scattering peioes of red paper
through the city, or some other cabalistic device, he
can assemble the whole brotherhood at one point and
they are bound to come “prepared to meet danger ;”
that is, as we understand it, “armed to the teeth,” and
when so assembled they are sworn “to obey the Presi
dent or his deputy.” Such sworn bands may be tole
rated in savage communities, hut are utterly indefensi
ble in civilized societies, and if they are continued, will
force the whole community to go to the polls and other
political gatherings loaded down with pistols and bowie
knives.
Second Degree Council —Obligation. —The mem
bers of this degree swear, Ist, to conform in all things
to all the rules and regulations of the order, if they do
not conflict with the constitution of the United States,
or of the Stale in which they reside : 2d, to attend to
all signs, if possible, under all circumstances, that may
be sent or thrown to them by the members of the or
djr : od, to support for all political otliees, members of
the order, in preference to other persons : 4th, to turn
out Catholics and foreigners from office, and in no case
to appoint either of these classes of citizen to any office :
sth, to keep this and all other obligations taken in the
order inviolate through life. The only peculiarity in
this obligation is, that when two men arc running for a
political office, whether nominated or not, the Know
Nothing is bound to stand up to his brother Know
Nothing no matter how big a fool he may be or how
greai a rascal, or what aro his political sentiments;
and that this they swear to do through life. A pretty
tough pledge for a freeman to make who loves his
oountry aud desires to see tho posts of honor filled by
capable and honest men. This probably will account
for the fact that Southern Rights Democrats, who are
Know Nothings, are such violent advocates for the
election of Garnett Andrews, who is the suhniissiooist
of submissionists and regards the Union of tho States
the only security for onr peculiar institutions.
Third Degree Council — Obligation. —The ob
ject of th s degree, in the lauguage of tho charge, is
•‘permanent, enduring aud fraternal union undto
this end, the members of this degree are swum Ist to
a- el ire their devotion to the Union of these States ; to
t h *ld maintain and defend it; to discourage and dis
t’oumen tnee any and every attempt, eoroiug from any
and every quarter, dis'goed or calculated to destroy or
subvert it, or to weaken its bonds ; 2d to vote for no
man for any political office who is in favor ut a
ti n os the Union and to remove from office all disun-
ionists: 3d, to vote for and support, for all political
offices, Third or Union degree members of the order ,
in preference to all others : 4th to keep th : s and ah
other obligations they have taken ever sacred and in
violate.
The 3d poiut in this obligation may explain to some
of young friends, who were ambitious of Congressional
honors, the reason why their claims were so uncere
moniously passed over by the late Americus Know
Nothing Convention. They were not members of the
Union degree; they were known to be honestly pledged
to the bloody fourth of the Georgia Platform, by which
the State of Georgia is bound to seek the overthrow of
tho Union. Why, my dear friends, there is no earthly
chance for you to get any office from the Know Noth
ings, if it is sought after by a member of the Third or
Union degree. The fact that he is a member of that
degree and you are not, is sufficient to overslaugh you,
no mattei how eminent you may he in point of talent
and character ; and how deficient he may be in both.
We especially commend the 3d point in this degree to
those persons who have joined the order with the hope
of getting office—there are, we are sorry to believe,
many such in this city—and are only members of the
first and second degree Councils. Ihere is no more
chance for you than there is for a bob-tail cow in fly
time. The big dsgs of the Uuion degree are bound to
get all tho bones. You dont believe us? Well, wait
until next December and then we would like to hear
from you. “It was not so at the last election.” Very
true, but this Union degree was not then in existence!
it has been adopted since.
This degree shows that that declaration in the Phila
delphia Platform—“the union of these States is the
paramount political good”—was no unmeaning formula,
but tho real belief and feeling of the order, and places
in the most ridiculous light those articles in the Macon
Platform adopting the Georgia Platform and expresses
sympathy with the Columbus Movement. Are they
not sworn to “discourage and discountenance any and
every attempt, coining from any and every quarter,
(the State of Georgia, for instance,) designed or calcu
lated to destroy or subvert the Union, or to weaken its
bonds.” How then can they do otherwise than “dis
courage and discountenance’’ the State of Georgia, if
she shall, upon the happening of either of the lour events
mentioned in tho 4th resolution of the Georgia Plat
form, resist them “even, as a last resort, to a disruption
of every tie that binds the State of Georgia to the
Uuion.” Are they not pledged to vote against every
man who, in good faith, stands upon the Georgia Plat
form, and to turn them out of power if they have an
opportunity ? Read the obligation of the Third degree,
and you will see that we do not overstate the obliga
tions and duties of members of the Third degree.—
We are, therefore, justified in denouncing Know
Nothingism as a cheat and a fraud upon the people of
Georgia. However honest the members of the lower
degrees may be in their purpose to stand by the Geor
gia Platform, their ruling authority, their supreme tri
bunal, their Presidents, officers and delegates to both
State and National Councils, if they are faithful to their
obligations as Know Nothings, are against the Platform
of Georgia and will be bound to resist even her sovereign
power, if she shall find it necessary to carry out the
solemn resolves of the State Convention of 1850.
More Withdrawals from the Know Nothings.
Motgomery County, Ala. —The Advertiser
zclte of tho 24th inst., contains the card of F. M. T.
Tankersley and 28 others, who have withdrawn from
the Council at Butler’s Springs, Montgomery county,
Ala. They say they “believe the American or Know
Nothing party is a political fraud.” They ought to
know.
Autauga County, Ala, —The Autaugian contains
the card of Charles 11. Lathorn and 8 other citizens of
Autauga, renouncing all connection with the Know
Nothing party. They say their politics are Democrat
ic, and they cannot, therefore, consistently act with the
Know Nothing party in aiding to defeat the Democ
racy. Sensible.
Macon County, Ala. — A highly respectable corres
pondent of the Montgomery Advertiser , who has left
the order, says 125 out of IGO members have withdrawn
from the Know Nothing Council at Auburn, Ala. He
says he and his friends joined the order from the best
motives, but found it “a den of demagogues without the
courage to work openly.’’ A good hit, and true of the
order generally, we learn from ex members.
A Little Nearer Home. —The Advocate of the
South says twenty-nine persons quit the order at Buena
Vista, Marion county, Ga., on Saturday the 21st inst.
What makes this defection the moro galling, is tho fact
that it was publicly announced at the Court House just
one week before, that there would be a meeting of the
order on that day to initiate fifty new members. They
initiated one, says the Advocate , and lost twenty nine.
We are satisfied with the results of that meeting.—
Twenty or thirty more are expected to quit at the next
meeting.
Anij Still a Little Nearer.— We arc informed
that more than a dozen members of the order in Mus
cogee county have already retired and that many more
will follow suit. They are, however, so heartily asham
ed of having joined the order that we fear they will not
publish their cards.
The Montgomery Mail and the Indiana Press.
The Editor of the Mail recently published an article
congratulating the L Southern people upon tho fact that
nearly every paper in the State of Indiana was advocating
the Know Nothing party. Before the Mail crows again
ver this favorable omen we hope it will digest the follow
ing Resolutions adopted unanimously by the Indiana State
Convention of the Know Nothings and Abolitionists of
Indiana. We copy lrom the Cincinnatiolumbian .*
“Whereas, we, the freemen of Indiana, without respect
to party, and actuated by a common devotion to our re
public and a common reverence for its founders, have as
sembled ourselves together in eommemoitciion ot the pas
sage of the ordinance of July 13, lio<, consecrating the
northwest territory to freedom; and whereas, the unani
mous adoption of said ordinance by the representatives of
all the States in the Union at that date clearly evinces
that opposition to the extension ot slavery, to the extent
of constitutional power, was the fixed policy of out lathers;
and whereas we regard the recent repeal of the eighth
section of the ‘Missouri Compromise as a gloss and wan
ton violation of the faith ot the Union plighted to a solemn
compact restricting tho extension ot slavery; there
fore, . . ,
“ Resolved, That wejare uncompromisingly oppc: i to
the extension of slavery ; and, further that we utter.\ re
pudiate the platform of principles adopted by the self styled
Democratic Convention, on the 24th day ot May 1 st, en
dorsing and approving the Kansas-Nebraska iniquity.
Resolved, That we wid waive all former party predi
lection, and in concert, by all lawful means, seek to place
every branch of the federal governments in the hands of
men who will assert the rights of freedom, restore the
M souri Compromise, and refuse under all circumstances
to tolerate the exteus on ts slavery. .
“R ’Solved, That both experience and the unmistakable
manifestations of a just public seutiment demand a change
of the Constitution and laws of this State, so as to limit
the elective franchise “a* such persons only as ate actual
citizens of the United States, cither by birth or y a lull
and tiual conformity with the laws on the sunject of nat
uralization.
Mr. Watts on the Nebraska Bill. —As the cor
rectness of the statement, of our correspondent “R,” as
to the position of Mr. Watts on the Nebraska bill, has
been questioned by a correspondent in the Columbus
Enquirer , we transfer to our columns the following
paragraph from the Montgomery Mail, a Watts paper
par excellence. It sustains the statement of our cor
respondent. The correspondent of the Mail , in giving
an account of Mr. Watts’ speech at Mount Meigs,
says;
“Mr. Watts explained his position on the Nebraska
and Kansas bill, and said he would have voted for it as
the issue was up ; but was very severe in his remarks
in reference to those Southern gentlemen who sat by
and saw, without an effeort to prevent tho outrage, the
rights of the South bartered away by the concession in
the bill, of the unwise, unjust, dangerous if not fatal
principles of ‘Squatter Sovereignty.’ ”
German Association at Richmond.]
The Advertiser tf* Gazette, July 20tb, says : Some
of our cotemporaries, of tho Know Nothing press, ap
pear to be acting on the presumption that “a misrepre
sentation well stuck to is as good as the truth.” They
persist in the assertion that there is a German Demo
cratic Association in actual and active existence in
Richmond, Virginia, the object of which is the aboli
tion of all our present laws, and indeed of all laws both
human and divine. This story was started at an early
stage of the late canvass in Virgiuia, and the refutation
of it was so complete and overwhelming, that the paper
in which it first appeared (the Whig) ceased to speak
of it; the worthy editor, be'mg doubtless, convinced Ifcat
ho had been misinformed.
The origin of the whole fabrication was explained in
a letter written by a respectable German citizen of Rich
mond, aud published in the papers of that city- Tho
letter runs thus—
“A Social Democratic Club with such a platform does
not exist in the city of Richmond, except in the lively im
agination of the Whig. It is true, indeed, that about four
years ago a certain Dr. S. came irom Cincinnati, (a city
which often successfully vies with other large cities ot the
North iu tho invention of isms,) to preach in Richmond
the doctrines contained in that basis; but it is equally as
true that his mission, thanks to the sound sense of our Ger
man population, proved to be an entire failure, and that he
left Richmond in disgust and despair at the little success
of his labors.
“Tho Whig, if it had choosen, might have known that
very well, as at that time it published, at the instance ol
several Germans, who were indignat at these new fnngled
doctrines, a correct translation of that very platform, which
now, so late, and without any provocation, arouses its just
indignation.
“We do not know but that there are now one or two ot
that emissary’s disciples still lingering in this city ; but to
hold the entire German population of the city responsible
for them, is not fair or just.”
Such is the origin of the story. The attempt of Know
Nothingism to cut a garment, big enough to hide their
own deformities, out of this east off'German rag smaller
than the palm of a man’s hand, is supremely ridiculous.
The Charleston Mercury EndorsesJJhe Georgia
Democracy.
The Charleston Mercury is justly regarded as an
unflinching and incorruptible advooate of Southern
Rights. Where it leads, Southern Rights men need
not fear to follow. It never has and never will ad
vooate submission to wrong. Hear then what the Mer
cury says about the Georgia Democracy :
fFrom the Charleston Mercury.]
“The Enquirer will do well to remember the posi
tion taken by the Legislature of Georgia at its last ses
sion, and re-asserted by the reoent Democratic Con
vention of that State. It is as follows :
“Resolved, by the General Assembly of the State of
Geargia, That opposition to the principles ot the Nebraska
Bill in relation to tho subject of slavery is regarged, by the
people of Georgia, as ho’stility to the people ot the South,
and that all persons who partake in such opposition are un
fit to he recognized as component parts of any organization
not hostile to the South.”
sth. Resolved, That in accordance with the above Reso
lutions, whilst we are willing to act in party association
with all sound and reliable men in every section of the Un
ion, we are not willing to affiliate with any party that shall
not lecognise, approve and carry out the principles and
provisions of the Nebraska-Kansas act, —and that the
Democratic Party of Georgia will cut off'all party connec
tion with every man and party at the North or elsewhere,
that does not come up fully and fairly to this line of action.”
“This is the true Southern platform. It soorns all
doubling or subterfuge, and confronts Abolition on the
very points it is now agitating throughout the North
Georgia will not stand alone in her high and worthy
attitude. Her platform has already gained the sup
port of the Democrats of Mississippi and Louisiana ;
and will, doubtless, be the watohword of the true and
patriotic all over the South. Let not Northern Demo
crate, then, indulge the hope, which the Enquirer
seems to hold out, that she will be oontent with any
thing but a square and manly meeting of the practical
issues which Abolition is foroing upon us.’’
Dreadful Casualty. —We are deeply pained to an
nounce that Mr. John Martin met with a most serious
accident on Saturday morning. As he was above the
Court House descending the hill towards Montgomery
Hall in a buggy, his horse took fright and running
away, came into collision with a fence, a pointed plank
from which enered his abdomen inflicting a wound of
dangerous and frightful severity, causing the entrails
to protrude. After lingering during the day in great
pain, Mr. Martin died about six o’clock, P. M. This
sad occurrence has cast a dark shadow over the entire
community, by whom Mr. Martin was highly aud de
servedly esteemed. — Mont. Adv. July 23<L
From Washington. •
Gov. Reeder' 1 s Prospects Brightening—The Commis
sioner of Patents—Executive Clemency, Etc.
Washington, July 21,1855.
I understand that the administration are now in pos
session of documents which arrived here yesterday, that
places Gov. Reeder in a highly satisfactory position, and
that he will not be removed. It is said that Reeder has
Commissioner Manypenuy in close quarters, and demands
his removal.
As I intimated some time since. Mr. Mason, Commis
sioner of Patents, will resume his duties iu Dec. next, his
resignation not having been accepted.
The Court ot Claims adjourned to-day till the 17th of
i Oct. The Judges will remain here a lew days for the
purpose of adjusting the rules, aud before separating will
announce the Commissioners for taking testimoney in the
various States. — N. Y. Herald.
Another Russian Contract —Messrs. Braneroft &
Sellers, of Philadelphia, have.obtained of the Russian gov
ernment a heavy contract for machinery for two extensive
machine shops at Cronstadt. John Bull’s pugnacity has
lost him a good customer.
Hon. H. W. Hilliard. —This gentleman has been elec*
ted President of the very flourishing Methodist College
at Oxford, Georgia. We presume no one will deny the
great qualifications which Mr. Hilliard possesses for this
past. They are of the very highest order, and if the
College succeeds in securing his services its friends mly
indeed congratulate themselves. — Montgomery Advertis
er, July 24.
New College.— The Abington Virginian learns t’iat
a college is about to be established at Lvnchbu-g, Va.,
under the j*atrauage of the Methodist Protestant Church.
This will be the third college of high grade established
by this dcQorpieaUon in the United plates.
Elections to take Place —Alabama, Arkansas, lowa,
Kentucky, Missouri, and Texas, hold their tlectious on
the first Monday in August; Tennessee on the first
Thursday and N. C., on the second Thursday of the
same month.
Roger A. Pryor , Esq. —The Washington Star says
that Roger A. Pryor, Esq., of the Richmond Enquirer,
has been appointed to a special mission to Greece, e.iai
ged with the duty, if possible, of Settling the difficulty
between the two governments with rtferepce to Dr. King,
©n which Mr. Marsh, when United States Minister at
Constantinople, vras long engaged. Mr. Pryor lease
this country on the 25th.
Robbery of the Chicago Post Office.
Chicago, July 21.
The Post Office in this city, was broken open last night
by burglars, and the letters were taken out, robbed, and
destroyed. The loss has not yet been ascertained.
From the Richmond Enquirer.
CONSTITUTION
OF THE
NATIONAL COUNCIL
OF THE
UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA,
[CONCLUDED.]
FIRST DEGREE COUNCIL.
To be admitted to membership in this order, the appli
cant shall bo:
Ist. Proposed and found acceptable.
2nd. Introduced and examined under the guaranty ol
secrecy. ~. . .... .
3rd. Placed under the obligation which the order im
poses. . . c
4th. Required to enroll his name and place ol resi
dence.
sth. Instructed in the forms and usages and ceremonies
of the order. ~ , .
6th. Solemaly charged as to the objects to be obtained,
and his duties. .
[A recommendation of a candidate to this order, snail
be received only from a brother of approved integrity. It
shall be accompanied by minute particulars as to name,
age, calling and residence, and by an explicit voucher tor
hm qualifications, and a personal pledge lor his fidelity.
These particulars shall be recorded by the secretary in a
book kept for that purpose. The recommendation may
bo relerred, and the ballot taken at such time, and in such
a manner as the State Council may prescribe; but no
communication shall be made to the candidate until the
ballot has been declared in his favor. Candidates shall be
received in the ante-room by the Marshal andj the Secre
tary.
OUTSIDE.
Marshal. —Do you believe in a Supreme Being, the. Cr
eator and Preserver of the universe?
Ans. —“I do.”
Marshal.—Before proceeding further, w'e requrre a sol
emn obligation ol secrecy and truth. II you will take
such an obligation, you will lay your right hand upon the
Holy Bible and Cross.
(When it is known that the applicant is a Protestant, the
cross may be omitted, or affirmation may be allowed.)
OBLIGATION.
You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you ‘will never
reveal anything said or done in this room, the names ol
any persons present, nor the existence ol this society,
whether found worthy to proceed or not, and that all
your declarations shall be true, so help you God?
Ans —“I do.”
Marshal.—Where were you born?
Marshal. —Where is your permanent residence?
(If bom out ol the jurisdiction of the United States, the
answer shall be written, the candidate dismissed with an
admonition of secrecy, and the brother vouching lor him
suspended from all privileges ol the order, unless upon
satisfactory proof that he has been misinformed.)
Marshal. —Are you twenty-one years ot age?
Ans.—“l am.”
Marshal.—Were you born of Protestant parents or
were you reared under Protestant influence?
Marshal. —If married, is your wife a Roman Catholic 1
(“No” or “Yes,”—the answer to be valued as the Con
stitution of the State Council shall provide.)
Marshal.—Are you whiling to use your influence and
vote only for native-born American citizens for all offices
of honor, trust or profit in the gift of the people, to the ex
clusion of foreigners and aliens, and Roman Ciitholics in
particular, and without regard to party predilections?
Ans.—“l am.”
INSIDE.
[The Marshal shall then repair to the council in ses
sion, and present the written fist of names, vouchers and
answers to the President, who shall cause them to be read
aloud,and a vote of the council to be taken on each name
in such manner as prescribed by its bye-laws. ‘ll doubts
arise in the ante-room they shall be relerred to the council.
Ii a candidate be dismissed, he shall be admonished to se
crecy. The candidates declared elected shall be conducted
to seats within the council, apart from the brethren. When
all are present, the President, by one blow of the gavil,
shall call to order and say:]
President.—Brother Marsha], introduce the candidates to
the Vice President.
Marshal—Worthy Vice President, I present to you these
candidates, who have duly answered all questions.
Vice President, rising in his place.—Gentlemen, it is my
office to welcome you as friends. When yoq shall have
assumed the patriotic vow by which you wejre all bound,
we will embrace you as brothers. lam authorized to de
clare that our obligations enjoin nothing which is incon
sistent with the duty which every good man owes to his
Creator, his country, his family or himself. We do not
compel you, against your convictions, to act with us in our
good work; but should you at any time wish to withdraw,
it will be our duty to grant you a dismissal in good laith.
If satisfied with this assurance, you will rise upon your
feet, (pausing till they do so,) place the left hand upon the
breast, and raise the right yand towards heaven.
[The brethren to remain seated till called up.]
OBLIGATION.
In the presence of Almighty God and these witnesses,
you do solemnly promise and swear that you will never
betray any of the secrets ol this Society, nor communicate
them even to proper candidates, except within a lawful
council of the order; that you never will permit any of the
secrets ot thissociety to be written, or in any other man
ner to be made legible, except for the purpose of official
instruction; that you will not vote, nor give your influence
for any man, tor any office within th e gift of the people,
unless he be an American born citizen, in iavor of Ameri
cans ruling America, nor il he be a Roman Catholic ; that
you will in ail political matters, so far as this order is con
cerned, comply with the will of the majority, though it
may conflict with your personal preference, so long as it
does not conflict with the of the United
States of America or that of the State in which you re
side; that you will not, under any circumstances whatever,
knowingly recommend an unworthy person|for initiation,nor
suffer it to be done if in your power to prevent it; that you
will not, under any circumstance?, the name ol
any member of this order, nor reveal the existence of such
an association; that you will answer an imperative notice
issued by the proper authority; obey the command of the
State Council, President, or his deputy, while assembled by
ech notice, and respond to the claim of a sign or a [cry of
the order, unless it be physically impossible; and that you
will acknowledge the State Council of as the leg’
islative head, the ruling authority, and the supreme tribunal
of the order in the State of , acting funder the juris
diction of the National Council of the United States of
North America.
Binding yourself in the penalty of excommunication
from the order, the forfeiture of all intercourse with its mem
bers, and being denounced in all the societies ol the same,
as a wilful traitor to vourGod and your country.
[The President shall call up every person present by
three blows of the gavil, when the candidates .shall ail re
peat after the Vice President in concert:]
All this I voluntarily and sincerely promise with a full
understanding ol the solemn sanctions and penalties.
Vice President. —You have taken solemn oaths, and
made as sacred promises as man can make, that you will
keep our secrets inviolate, and we w'ish you distinctly to
understand that he that takes these oaths and makes these
promises, and then violates them, leaves the foul, the deep
and the blighting stain of perjury resting on his soul.
President—(Having seated all by one blow- of the gavil)
Brother Instructor, these new brothers having complied
with the demands ot the order, are entitled to the secrets
and priviledges of the same. You will, therefore, invest
them with everything appertaining to the first degree.
Instructor—Brothers: the practices and proceedings in
our order are as follows:
We have pass words necessary to be’used to obtain ad
mission to oar councils; forms for our conduct while there;
means of recognizing each other when abroad; means of
mutual protection; methods for giving notices to members
At the outer door you will (make any ordinary alarm to
attract the notice of the outside sentinel )
When the wicket is open* *Jyou willfprjnounce the
*ln the Ritual the words in parenthesis are omitted. In
the key to the Ritual, they are written in figures—the al
phabet used being the same as printed below. So through
out
(words —what’s the pass,) in a whisper. The outside sen
tinel will reply (Give it,) when you will give the term pass
word and be admitted to the ante-room. You will then
proceed to the inner door ami give (one rap ) When the
wicket is opened, give youriname, the number of, and lo -
cation of your council, the explanation of the term ptss,
and the degree pass-word. .
| I! these be found correct, you will be admitted; ilnot,
Pyour name will be reported to the Vice President, and
mU 9t be properly vouched (or before you can gain admis.
sion to the council. You will proceed to the cenire of
the room and address the (President) with the countersign,
which is perlomed thus, (placing the right hand diagonally
across the mouth.) When this salutation is recognized,
you will quietly take your seat.
This sDn is peculiar to this degree,and’is never to bo used
outside of the Council room, nor during the con'erring ot
this degree* When rolir ng, you will address Uie Vice Pre
sident m the same manner, and also give the [degree pass
word to the inside sentinel.
The “term pass word” is (We are.)
tl’he pass word and explanation is to be established by
each Stato Council, for its respective subordinates.]
The explanation of the “term-paso” to be used at the in-
ner door, is, [our country’s hope.]
Thedegroe puss word is [Native ]
The traveling pass word is [The memory of our Pilgrim
Fathers.]
[This word is changed annually by the Piesident of tha
National Council ot the United Slates, and is to be made
and used onlv when the brother is traveling beyond the ju
risdiction of his own State, District or Territory. It and
all other pass words must be communicated in a whisper,
and no brother is entitled to communicate them to another,
without authority from the presiding officer.]
The sign of recognition is [grasping the right lapel of the
coat w ith the right hand, the lore ringer being extended in
wards.]
The “grip” is given by [an ordinary shako of the hand ]
The person challenging shall [then draw the forefinger
along the palm of thehand.] The answer will be given
by [a similar action forming a Jink by hooking together
the ends of the fore finger;] when the following conversa
tion ensues—the challenging party first saying [is this
yours?] The answer, [it is.] Then the response [how did
you get it?] followed by the rejoinder, [it is my birth right ]
Public notice for a meeting is given by means ol a
piece ot white paper in the shape ot a heart.]
(In cities + the*** of the *** where the meeting is to be
held, will be written legibly upon the notice; and upon
the election day said*** will denote the*** where your
presence is needed. This notice will never be passed, but
will be *** or thrown upon the sido walk with a *** in tho
centre.)
If information is wanting of the object of the gathering,
or of the place, &c., the inquirer will ask ot an undoubted
brother [where’s when?] The brother will give the infor
mation if possessed of it; if not, it will be yours and his
duty to continue the enquiry, and thus disseminate the call
throughout the brotherhood.
If the color of [the paper] be [led,] it will denote actual
trouble, which requires that you come prepared to meet it.
The “cry of distress” —to be used only in lime ol danger,
or where the American interest requires an immediate as
semblage of the brethren —is [oh, oh, oh.] The response
is ihio,bio, hi-o.J
The “sign of caution”—to be given when a brother is
speaking unguardedly before a stranger —is (drawing tho
fore linger and thumb together across the eyes, the rest ot
the hand being closed,) which signifies “keep dark.”
Brothers, you are now initiated into and made acquaint
ed with the work and organization of a council ol this do
gree of tho order; and the Marshal will present you to tho
worthy President tor admonition.
President.—lt has, no doubt, been long apparent to you,
brothers, that foreign ,influence and Roman Catholicism
have been making steady and alarming progress in our
country. You cannot have failed to observe the significant
transition of the foreigner and Romanift irom a character
quiet, retiring, and even abject,to one bold, threatening, tur
bulant and despotic in its appearance and assumptions.—
You must have become alarmed at the systematic and ra
pidly augmenting power ol these dangerous and unnatural
elements of our national condition. So it is, brothers,
with others besides yourselves in every State ol the Union.
A sense of danger has struck the great heart of the nation.
In every city, town and hamlet, the danger has been seen
and the alarm sounded. And hence true men have devised
this order as a means of disseminating‘patriotic principles,
of keeing alive the fire of national virtue, of iostering the
national intelligence, and of advancing America and the
American interest on the one side, and on the other ot
checking the strides of the foreigner or alien, or thwaiting
the machinations and subverting the deadly plans ol tho
Papist and Jesuit.
Note. —The President shall impress upon the initiates
the importance of secrecy, the manner ot proeeding in re
commending candidates for initiation, and the responsibili
ty o 1 the duties which they have assumed.
SECOND DEGREE COUNCIL.
Marshal. —Worthy President: These brothers have
been duly elected to the second degree of this order. I
present them to you for obligation.
President. —Brothers: You will place your left hand
upon your light breast, and extend your right hand to
wards the flag of our eouutry, preparatory to obligation.
(Each couuc.il room should have a neat American Hag
festooned over the platform of llie President.)
OBLIGATION.
You, and each of you, of your own free will and ac
cord. in the presence of Almighty God and these witness
es, your left hand resting upon your right breast, and your
right hand extended to the flag of your country, do sol
emnly and sincerely swear, that you will not under any
circumstances disclose in any mama r, nor sutler it to be
done by others, if in your power to prevent it, the name,
signs, pass-words, or other secrets of this degree, except
in open council lor the purpose of instruction ; that you
will in all things conform to all the rules and regulations
of this order, and to the constitution and by-laws of this
or any other council to which you may be attached, so
long as they do not conflict with the Constitution of tho
United States, n< r that of the State in which you reside ;
that you will under all circumstances, if in your power so
to do, attend to all regular signs or summons that may bo
thrown or sent to you by a brother of this or any other
degree of this order ; that you will support in all political
matters, for all political offices, members of ibis order in
preference to other persons ; that if it may be done legal
ly, you will, when elected or appointed to any official sta
tion conferring on you the power to do so, remove all for
eigners, aliens or Roman Catholics from office or place,
and that you will in no ease appoint such to any office or
place in your gift. You do aiso promise and swear that
this and all other obligations which you have previously
taken in this order, shall ever be kept through life sacred
and inviolate. All this you promise and declare, as
Americans, to sustain and abide by, without any hesitation
or mental reservation whatever. So help you God and
keep you steadfast.
(Each will answer, “I do.”)
Key to Unlock Know Nothing Communications:
ABCDEFG II I J K L M
1 7 13 19 25 2 8 14 20 26 3 9 15
NOPQRST U V W X Y Z
21 4 10 16 22 5 11 17 23 6 12 18 24
President —Brother Marshal, you will now present the
brothers to the Instructor, for instructions in the Second
Degree of the Order,
Marshal--Brother Instructor ,*by direction of our worthy
President, I present lliese brothers before you that you
may instiuct them in the secrets and mysteries oftlieSe
(O id Degree ol the Order.
Instructor—Brothers: In this Degree we have an en*
tering sign and a countersign. At the outer door proceed
(as in the first degree). At the inner door you.will make
(two raps), and proceed as in the first degree, giving the
second degree pass-word, wiiich is (American), instead
of that of the first degree. If found to be correct you
will then be admitted, and proceed (to the centre of the
room), giving the countersign, which is made thus (ex
tending the right arm to the national flag over the Presi*
I dent, the palm of the hand being upwards).
The sign of recognition in this degree is the same as
in the first degree, (with the addition of the middle fin
ger), and the response to be made in a (similar manner).
Marshal, you will now present the brothers to the wor
thy President for admonition.
Marshal—Worthy President, I now present these can
dates to you for admomition.
President—Brothers, you are now duly initiated into
the second degree of this order. Renewing the eougratu
lations which we extended to you upon your admission to
the first degree, we admonish you by every tie that may
nerve patriots, to aid us in our efforts to restore the politi
cal institutions of our country to their original purity.—
Begin with the youth of our land. Instills into their minds
the lessons of our country’s history—the glorious battles
and the brilliant deeds of patriotism of our fathers, through
which wo received the inestimable blessing of civil and
religions liberty. Point them to the example of the sages
what is card of cities, the key to the Ritual
says: “Considered unnecessary to decipher what is said m
regard to cities.”