The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-11-03
fGnow Nothing Morality.

The Neac York Mirror, an organ Of know-Noth-
ingsm, IN commenting on some disclosures OF the
purposes OF the oTder which have appeared IN
the IribHne aud Ttars Of that city, says ;-..a man
who thus publishes what purports to be secret re-
cord, either perjuTed scoundre base Impos-
tor" This is The basis vi know-Nohiug morality.
4 Is bound 10 obey extra judicial oath ad-
minl>tered by some fanatic fool within the walls
OF the'odge room, i that obligation is directly
in The teeth of the Constitutions and opposed to every
principle of goveTnnent%. / be fact IS well
known that the oath TO support ke Constitution both
OF the United States aud of the CoumonweaIth, eX-
pressy toIbds such a test. Which is an honest
man and a geod citizen bound to obey? Let 1t be
borne in mind that the oath to support the Constitu-
tion is legally and legitlmately administered, while
that Of the Known othug order Is extra Judicial,
phetrous and dsgracetul. Yet this is the obll-
CATION which the members of that order are required
keep and break which the Mirror says ''per-
Jury" Is it perjury for one of a band OF robbers,
who may be bound together BY an OATH to break
that oath Ii not, upon what principle Is the viola
;ion made duty? Because the obligations o. the
organization illegmate and contrary TO the well
being OF society, and therefore, the oath, which is
itself invalid should not be considered binding.
But should keep snch d secret! Suppose
the reasonable designs OF a rnold had become known
to patriot of the days of 76, even under an oath
extra -udically administered, should he have been
bouud by that oath TO allow the traitor 10
mate his designs upon the liberties of his contrary
BY the morality OF The KnowNohug order be would,
for all oaths, matter how contrary 10 the peace
prosperity, the liberties union of the natiop, are
to be observed with religions fidelity. The oath ad
nuistered IN a secret order OF traitors. is put
parallel with that recognized by the divine law, ard
made sacred by the Constitution. By this rule
where is the difference between George Washington,
swearing IN all the purity of bis patriotism sup
port the liberties o his country, and the Cow boy or
the tory, taking blasphemous obligation from
drunken comrade to murder all those who desired TO
this land the home of freedom the refuge of re-
gous equality. Both equally bound TO obey the
oath taken, without reference the difference in the
objects 10 be gained. That point is nothing in the
estimation OF the Know Nohugs and their defenders.
No matter how nonsrous the proposition, be il trea-
son murder, it the oath is administered there
IS no retreat. The victim must go forward in the
guilty path for fear the taint OF perjury and imPos
ton wall be branded upon his character by those who
first seduce, and then bully their followers.
1t is in vain the Mfyroy, and other Knaw-Noihing
defenders, attempts 10 invest the oahs administered
by that order with judicial moral sanctity. The
law prescrihes how oaths shall be administered and
by whom. Oar fathers considered an appeal 10 the
Deity of such startling Importance that they hedged
il round with all the safeguards that wisdom and ex
peience could suggest. The fact that person i'm
piousy calls upon God witness his alleged siucer-
~, proves his basphemy and reverence but does not
invest the act with any of the requisites of oath
This Is the well-known and recognized law Of morals
and yet ministers ofhr Gospel the paid agents ot
this ORDER and daily violate the painestrues othat
system they profess TO yenerate and follow They