Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-09-20
THE KNOW-NOTuINCs;

| ganizatiOn, Forms, Ceremonies, &c.
7. JEFFERSON LAPLEr, Esq, ono OF the
national officers Of the American Order or
Secret society of Know -Nothings, called
upon us yesterday, on special business
lie says that the members of the Order,
/ throughout the Union, have felt them
selves deeply aggrieved by some preten-
ded exposures of their Association, put
forth to the world through the partizan
press, and at late meeting of the Ma
tional organization of the Society, held
in Western city, the subject was brought
forward and discussed. While the mem
bers were aware, that strict secresr, in
relation 10 everything connected with the
Order is desirable, yet, as the objects Of
the association are purely patriotic, it was
the unanimous opinion Of the members Of
the National camp. that no harm could
resul, from volunteer publication of the
forms and ceremienies of the Order. The
High Adjutant was therefore instructed
to furnish US with copy Of the ritual, and
to give us permission to copy such Por-
tions as we deem ssOf interest to the people.
! They have certain secrets which they
cannot Of course give TO the world, such
as passwords, signs, &c. Th&sc we
would net publish if we could.
ORGANIZATION OF THE KNOW NOTHINGs.
The organization Of this mysterious or
der. which has spread with the rapidily
of lightning throughout the Union, par
takes of a military character. The ordi
nary bodies are called regiments; the
State bodies. composed Of delegates from
each regiment in the State. baLtalIpns.
and the national body. composed Of rep
rcsentaLives from the blt!al!ioas, is called
the Grand Camp. The members OF the
regiments are regularly divided into
messes,' and each mess has a peculiar
! duty to perform. The officers pE a regi-
ment are nearly those Of the United States
service and in the other bodies thcy are of
Il higher grade. the highest officer being
called a Major General The object Of
the order, as set forth in the ritual. is the
| reSt0r0,jom Of a Pure administration Of Ae
f. government and TO this end it aims to ac
compi>h the + flowing
LIST. TO discard politicians Of every
character. and to fill all offices with men
of tried integrity, who arr be to selected.
and if possible clec;ed, without Ihrir own
knowledge, and who will therefore enter
upon their public duties. without being
embarrassed by obi :arinns.
2nd. To put none but Americans in Of:
fee, as men born AMI reared upon the
soil have undoubtedly he interests Uf the
country more at heart, than those who
have sought it merely as Az asylum from
oppression.
3rd. 70 oppose all influences tending to
change in The least the time honorch inSli.
tutons Of our country. and to sustain at
,,ll y,C,
schools religious lo!rrati0n and through
enforcement Of all laws.
4th. To have our government, and all
it, officers, Thoroughly republican, ptrti-
cularly those holding positions abroad.
5;h. Economy among Office -hnl lcrs,
but IibcraIuy in establishing and sustain
ing public institutions.
The above, according to the ritual. are
the sole objects Of knVw- Nothing gism.-
One apparent inconsistency ought TO be
explained. 1t profrsscs to uphold rcli-
gious liberation. while it prc<cribcS Ro
man Catholics from membership In one
of the charges this is overcome by the
assertion, that the church has officially
present. i all secret associations. NO; en-
tirrly composed of Catholics. unI that no
member of lha; church couiI honestly be
come a Know Nothing. And further that
the governors Of the church, supported by
large portion OF the membership. have
asSaiIed and enieavOrcd tooverihrow some
of our " buIwarks Of liberty" aud that
therefore, all who hold to the church
must be looked upoa ::jih suspicion.
4 How MEMBERS ARE PROPOSED.
Members are not allowed nsk persons
To join tic order, but proceed in this wise.
kuOwin-; that a nci Lhbur is an American
in sentiment, he proposes his name, and
has him bailoicd for. If elected, he in
forms him on initiation night, Of the sim
pie TACT, aud asks him to 20 To thr NEE
ting. lie will answer no enquiries rs to
the Or,ter, and if the candidate refuses to
90, til II ends the matter. \ man once
rejected, can never enter the order. The
recommendation Of II politician is cause
for expulsion, and should an officer seeker
happen to get in. and thaT the fact be sus-
tanned. he is not allowed 10 hold office, or
take any part in the business Of his rcgi-
mcnt.
INITiATGON-BEAUTIFUL CEREMONIES.
When II successful candidate signifies
his Willingness to enter the order he is
conducted 10 a convenient position near
the place Of meeting, by the member who
proposed him. There he is kept, until a
: signal. known only to the members, is gi-
ven from window Of the regiment head
quarters. Both member and candidate
t then disguise themselves with false whis
kcrs and spcctacles, and proceed to Head
r Quarters From this we infer, that al
enter the Lodge rooDls disguised. The
candidate is conducted to an anti-roon,
5 where he finds himself alone with priest,
) bearing alone richly mounted cross.