Washington telegraph., 1854-10-18
VOL. XIV.
Something for the PeopIe.

TRUE AND VERITABLE ACCOUNT OF THE
ORGANIZATION, FORMS, CEREMONIES, &C,
OF THE ORDER OF 'tkNow-NoTHINGs
T. Jefferson Laplet, Esq, one of the na-
tional officers of the American order OR Sc
cret Society of Know-Nothings called upon
US yesterday, on special business. He
says that the members of the Order,
throughout the Union, have felt themselves
deeply aggrieved by some pretended expo
sures of their association, put forth to the
world through the partizan press, and at
late meeting Of the National organization of
the Society, held in a Western city, the
subject was brought forward and discussed.
While the members were aware, ,hat strict
secrecy, in relation to every thing connect
ed with the Order is desirable, yet, as the
objects of the association are purely patriot
ic, it was the unanimous opinion of the men,
bers of the National Camp, that 30 harm
could result from volunteer publication of
the forms and ceremonies of the Order
The High Adiutant was therefore Instruct
ed to furnish us with a copy of the ritual
and to give US permission to copy such por-
tions as we deem of interest to the people.
They have certain secrets which they can
not, of course, give to the world, sich as
passwords, signs, &c These we would not
publish if we could.-Cincinnati Times
ORGANIZATION OF THE ''KNow-NoTHNGs.'
The organization of this mysterious Or
der, which has spread with the rapidly of
lightning throughout the Union, partales of
a military character. The ordinary bodies
are called regiments; the State bodies, COM
posed of delegates from each regiment in
the State, battalions; and the national lody
composed of representatives from the bat
talions is called the Grand Camp. The
members of the regiments are regularl- di-
yided into "messes," and each mess has
peculiar duty to perform. The officers of
regiment are nearly those Of the United
States service. and in the other bodies tey
are of higher grade, the highest officer
being called a Major General. The Object
of the order, as set forth in the ritual is
THE RESTORATION OF A PURE ADMINISTfA-
T1oN OF THE GOVERNMENT, and to this end
it aims to accomplish the following:
1st. To discard politicians of every char
acter and to fill all offices with men of tried
integrity, who are to be selected, and if pos
sible elected, without their own knowledge,
and who will, therefore. enter upon their
public duties, without being embarrassed by
obligations.
ID. To put none but Americans in Office
as men born and reared upon the soil have
undoubtedly the interests of the country
more at heart, than those who have sought
it merely as an asylum from oppression
Sd. To oppose all influences tending to
change, in the least, the time-honored insti-
tutions of our country, and to sustain, at all
risks, universal system Of public free
schools, religious liberation, and thorough
enforcement of all laws.
4th. To have our government, and all its
officers thoroughly republican, particularly
those holding positions abroad.
9th. Economy among ofice-holders, but
iberality in establishing and sustaining pub
lie institutions
The above, according to the ritual, are
the sole objects of Know -Nothingism. One
apparent inconsistency ought to be explain
ed. 1t processes to uphold religious tolera-
ton, while it proscribes Roman Catholics
from membership. In one of the charges
this is overcome by the assertion, that the
church has officially prescribed all secret as
sociations, not entirely composed of Catho-
lies, and that no member of that church
could honestly become Know Nothing
And further, that the governors of the
church, supported by a large portion of the
membership, have assailed, and endeavored
&c Ill,
erty,'' and that therefore, all who hold to
the church must be looked upon with suspi-
cion.
HOW MEMBERS ARE PROPOSED.
Members are not allowed to ask persons
to join the ORDER but proceed in this wise:
knowing that a neghbor or an acquaint-
ance is an American in sentiment, he pro-
poses his name, and has him balloted for
If elected, he informs him on initiation
night, of the simple fact, and asks him to
60 to the meeting. He will answer no en-
quiries as to the Order and if the candidate
refuses to 90, that ends the matter. A man
once rejected, can never enter the order
The recommendation of a politician is cause
for expulsion, and should an ofice-seeker
happen to get in, and the fact be sustained
he is not allowed to hold office, or take any
part in the business of his regiment
NITIATIoN-BEAUTIFUL CEREMONIES
When a successful candidate signifies his
willingness to enter the order, he is conduct
ed to convenient position near the place
of meeting, by the member who proposed
him. There he is kept until signal,
known only to the members. is given from
window of the regiment headquarters
Both member and candidate then disguise
themselves with false whiskers and specta-
cles, and proceed to Head Quarters From
this We infer, that all enter the Lodge room