The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-04-11
THE YNOW-N -NOTHINGs.

Tho New Orleans Delta gives an account o
this new secret society which appears to have
originated in Now York, but which has since
extended oil over the country. The Delta
| says:
Tho objects of tho know Nothings" are
two-fold part religious. part political: and tht
ends aimed at the disfranchisement of adopting
citizens. and their exclusion from Office. anC
perpetual war upon the Catholic religion. -
With these cardinal principles, tho quaifica
iions for membership and brotherhood arc ca
silly determined.
lst. The applicant for admission to "wig
wam'' must be native born citizon, of native
| born parent and not of the Catholic religion
| 2d. To renounce all previously entertained
political leaniugs, and cooperate exclusively
with the new order.
Sd. To hold neither political civil or religious
Intercourse with any person who is Catholic;
but on tho contrary, to use all available means
to abolish the political and religious privileges
no may AZ preseRt enjoy.
4th That he will not vote for any man for
office who is not native citizen of the United
Satos, or who may be disposed il elected. to
place any foreigner or Catholic in any Office of
emolumeut or ttust the latter not being. in tho
opinion of "Know Nothings" "credobe wit
ness" in snv case savo where tho oath is ad-
WlnlStereu Dy nls priest.
Tho .'pas.words'' and ''signs" for admission
into tho 'wigwam' of the Know Noihngs are
as follows: The applicant raps at tho outer
door an indefinite number of times. asks at tho
close, in low whispering voice, 'What meets
here today (or night. as the case may be. }
The ntcroga,ed Immediately replies, Il don't
know To which the applicant for admission
responds. Il am one and forthwith is admitted
10 second door, st which he gives four dis
tinct raps when the door being opened, he
whispers to his attendant 'Thirteen,' and then
advances into the body Of the lodgo
If disposed to leave before the adjournment
of tho lodge. the member leaving salutes tho
President then the Vice President, by placing
his right hand on his heart. then letting it fall
to his side. whispering to tho Guardian as ho
retires 'thirteen.'-
IF member requires the assistance of a
brother when mixing promiscuously with the
public, he places tho right forefnger upon tho
left eyebrow, as fin the act of scratching. look
ing directly at the person whose attention he
desires TO attact, whom. if the person be men,
ber. no il bound TO respond Immediately by q
similar sign. II il bo desired to know Of a
stranger whether he is Of the initiated, on
shaking hands with him the middle finger is
placed upon the lowest joint of his finger, noxt
10 tho wrist, with gentle pressure; whom, III
hc be member. no will ask-"Whero did you
get that" To which he will rejon,"I don't know,
and the querst will end by replying, Il don't
know either
Nothing concerning tho association is to be
committed to writing or published. aud the
most profound silence and secrecy are to be
observed by every Know Nothing outsider but
everything inside the wigwam is impaired in
Discriminatory to members.
Every member, on admission, swears by hold
ing ND his right hand, and pledges himself to
10 all in his power to put down foreign infiu-
once, and particularly the Catholic religion,and
in no case 10 vote for any person for any Office,
who is not native American citizen;' and no
one. with some exceptions, ia eligible to NOM
bership, unless he and both his parents are ma
tive born.
As no records are kept or publications made
by the association. the plan ofnotifying NOM
bers of any emergency requiring their speedy
assembling, is BY scattering small square pic
ces of paper tho banvuetts and public thoroug
fares and bv mailing thcm to tho posts, doors
or other places accessible to the public.
The Philadelphia Register, in speaking Of
the Know Nothngs.' says that Ned Bun,line
is commandcr-in-chicfa at the Now York head
quarters.
The Know No,hings' have great faith in tho
mysterious virtue oftho number three. They
have thrce degrees. and after taking one, ihreo
weeks must elapse before another can be taken.
Three times three making nine, number
whose magical power is acknowledged by all
professors of tho Black Art.
a9- William Forrest. agcd 10 years, was
81 me-