Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1854-09-23
Ear tie Adperfiser.
Secret Out or Know Nothing Exposed

MEssRs. RoBISsox & LocKE: Know
ing ths, The public mind is in a state Of
grest suspense with regard 10 the secrets
and order Of Know No,hings. ] deem iis
duty owe 10 my neighbors. my country |
and my God, as well as relieving my own
conscience Of a hssry load, which has
given me no rest for the few weeks past
Viewing. as do. the secret organization
Of any set Of men. 10 oPpress another, as
most pernicious and subversiye Of the
plain intent and everywhere acknowledg-
ed rights ofevery American citizen, wheih-
er adopted or native born, | feel con-
strained to make the following expose:
In the first place it is not, as is gen.
orally supposed, that meetings are held in
villages, such as this. (In cities they are
held in some out Of the way place. A
friend or acquaintance will meet you
and perhaps ask you TO take short walk;
when you have arrived near the place,
you will be informed that you are tread
ing on secret ground--where. il you
should reveal anything that you should
see or hear, the earth aciH be opened and
swallow you up. A signal is then given
which is agreed upon before hand, when
you Immediately observe approachingyou
from all points Of the compass, persons
wearing black wells, who form in circle
around.you when you are. .accosted in rude
and violent manner: STRANGER, Know
you Nothing! Has not your age taught
you that you should not tread upon ground
consecrated to the invisible, and yet all
powerful order Of Know Nothings! Bro.
thers, know you for what this intruder is
amongst us!" When all in the circle
make spring at the candidate, as though
they would execute him in a moment
Then your friend will say, "Hold Hold!
Brothers. He is no intruder; but one
who seeks wisdom and loves our ORDER"
"Oh truly. You we know; this sHan-
ger we know not. You, we can trust;
therefore, for your sake, we will proceed
to give him the wisdom he seeks" You
are then addressed in a more mild tone,
and told that you must take your shoes of
your feet, as none are permitted TO tread
the portals of the order except in the
most sacred manner, and prepare 10 take
upon yourself the most solemn and bind.
ing obligation, which human ingenuity
can invent. Then YOU are caused to knee
and raise your hands and eyes towards
heaven, OF the same time those who form
the circle will turn their backs upon the
, candidate, which places them in position
: 10 act rs sentinels for the occasion, whel
t the following Oath is administered, which
: the candidate repeats: You a: B. o
your own free choice and no! by compul
q sion Of another, do here on your bende
e knees, in the presence Of the Creator o
all things--your hands raised 10 implor
n vengeance upon your devoted head; you
@ eyes in a position 10 be rendered usees
e by the scorching rays Of midday sur
u your forehead barred TO the assassin's clut
solemnly promise and swear without an
" evasion or reservation whatsoever, III,
10 you will not expose any of the secret
" signs, mysteries or objects Of this orde
70 and that you will not under any circun
" stances mention the existence of such o
l. order, or the name of any member of tt
:, same, nor intimate III the remotest mann
IS that any person is member, and that yt
le will use your influence against all forelg
10 ers in all political matters, even to ii
~ knife. if it is necessary TO advance O
rs cause, and that you will cheerfuily pc
er form each and every duty assigned "
le by the order, even ever so averse 10 yo
,h % feelings; binding yourself under the pc
r. atty of being decoyed TO some lonely sp
to and your existence terminated by tho
e. whom you will enrage by violation
w. any part of this. your Oa.h. So help n
n. God.
ey You are now ordered 10 raise al
Id fear nothing, ss you are in the hands
". trueand tried friends. Then you are ma
,s cquainted with the work of the order.
ut approaching lodge in the woods, "
IN will, Us soon you are observed, give fl
ne distinct raps against tree, which you W
~. be particular TO have in full view of
ra. sentinels, (if the lodge is held in roc
you make five raps on the door.) T
'Se sen.inels who sees you will immediate
he ask you, "are you as good a man as a
u.s. body else :" You will reply eyes,
The me-" when they will say "Welcol
r.. Brother" Then you will join the cir
Lhe and address the presiding officer by pl
wn ing your open hand over you mouth a