Washington telegraph., 1854-10-25
From the Cincinnqh Times
A True and yeritabIe account of
the Organization. forms. Cere-
monies. &c, OF the Order of
KNOWN OtlEiRgs.
(CoNCLUDED.)
From the Cincinnati Times. |
THE RED DEGREE.
(CoNCLUDED.)


Degree, all combined making the American
trio of colors-the White, Red and Blue
We have given the ceremonies of the White
Degree, we will now give those of the Red
A person must be thirteen typical of the
older thirteen States weeks member, be-
fore he can take the Red Degree. He then
must be proposed by one of the Blue, and
ballotted for alone by the Reds and Blues.
Six black balls reject 4 candidate for the
Second Degree is taken outside the camp
which we presume means ante-room-
where he is further examined He is then
asked some questions as to the history of
our country, in which he instructed if he
does not answer correctly He is then ask
ed
DO you revere the name of Washing
ton? Have you carefully read the Consti-
tuition of the United States? Do you de-
sire that Constitution to remain unimpaired,
and its provisions carefully carried cut p
Are you willing to pledge your right arm
in defense of that Constitution ?''
If the questions are answered in the af-
frmative, the candidate is examined in the
work Of the White Degree and if he an
Swers truly, is escorted to the Red Regiment
headquarters.
,Sentinel-Who comes there
Orderly Sergeaat-One desiring the
Red
SentjneJ-The Red? We have no red
coats here, fer they were the enemies of
our fathers. Begone, ye man of foreign
prejudice.
orderly Sergeant-Nay, It's not red
coat we seek, but knowledge Of that I'M
dying red, that floats so vauntingly in the
flag of our country.
Seltjuel-Have you the countersign
10. S. gives the password. Your hearts
are right ;--enter and Heaven help thee to
keep ever faithful the patriotic VOWS of this
national brotherhood
The candidate enters, preceded by the
0. S. The room is dark, and he IS led
around, now stumbling over this and then
over that, but his guide keeps him from fall
ing. Suddenly the room is lighted up, and
he finds himself surrounded with stacks of
muskets, flags, &c. After some instructions
from the Adjutant, (Which are not down in
the book he takes the following Obligation
Standing
Il, John Smith, do hereby pledge my
most solemn word, that | WILL as soon as
possible, learn all the exercises, necessary
to make me competent, for the ranks, and
that | will hold myself in readiness at all
times, to defend the constitution Of the Uni
ted States, against all internal foes, and de-
fend civil and religious liberty in the land
of my birth at all hazards. Free schools.
free press and the freedom Of speech will
ever sustain, and | viii hold 10 companion
ship-unless so ordered to do-with those
who hold to contrary doctrines, but viii con-
slider them and treat them as personal enc
mics, as enemies to the rights of man, and
the will of our Creator This obligation
shall be binding to the end of my life, and
should violate it, | shall expect to be
called a traitor, perjurer, and coward by
my countrymen, and as such to be scoffed at
by all true American citizens
Saying which, he kisses the flag as
mark of his fidelity
He is again escorted around the room,
while the members sing:
Hail Columbia, happy land" etc.
The candidate is taken before the Major
who instructs him in the secrets of the de-
gree which, of course, are not printed in
the ritual. Next he is conducted to the
Chaplain, who says
1t rejoices my heart to see thee here,
my son. There is that in every step of this
brotherhood, which is calculated to draw
forth all the noble feelings of the heart, and
direct them into the paths of Patriotism
and ever living Truth. Read carefully the
lessons set before thee, and do not fail to
obey implicitly the duties thou hast volun-
tarlly taken upon thyself' The candidate
kneels, and the Chaplain places his hands
on his head May the blessings Of heaven
rest upon you, and may He, who directs the
storm, keep thee faithful even unto death.
The candidate is next introduced to his
Captain, when the following occurs:
CaPtatn-Are you soldier?
Caaadidate--I am.
Captain-'Ofthe cross Candidate pro-
bably talters.) Aye, of the cross, but not of
Ihe aoman one. 'Tis now duty of yours
to defend this holding up-a red cross from
all harm. You see what it is. Here at the
TOP, IN letters of gold, is Pure Christian
'ty'' upon the right arm, Anertcan Lib
cry ) upon the left arm, '4merjcan Ma
tt,0''qItty; ;; and at the base, Freedom for
ne World. How unlike that cross which
las pretended 10 defend Christianity for cen
'GlleS by the most heinous crimes and ner-
CHESS despotlsm. Here in cur own beloved
country, the black and the red cross must
meet IN deadly warfare there is nothing
c0ngenial In them. and the one must des.