, 1854-11-04
From the Logan Gazette.
Tho Political Conspiracy.

ing up in our midst whose members a4
bound by fearful and blasphemous oaths,
whose object is to rule this country by de-
crees and mandates adopted in secret con-
clave, and whose determination is to wrest
all political power from the hands Of the
people. Nor are these mere idle words
] have the proof and will adduce it. Their
cmmissaries are at work night and day,
prowling about our town and through the
country, striving to inveigle honest and
good men in their meshcs. They are not
strong enough, thank God, in this country
to control our elections, and they never
will be. For the people have only to know
who they are, and what their purpose is,
to crush them with an Indignation such as
was never visited upon any class of men in
Ohio.
| desire to warn our citizens against
this society. l desire to let them know
what it is and vii At its purposes are. I
wish the young meh Of Logan county, gen.
erous and conliding as they are, to be
warned in time against joining ON institu-
tion which will be curse to them as long
as they live. l know Of instances where
men have been taken to the lodge, and
when advised Of its horrid oaths and pur-
nocos loyo ehrnnl, booL Z, bo,-o, orl -,
fused to become members. know Of 9TH
er honest and good men who have been de-
ceived into the belief that the Know Moth
ings have really good purposes in view
Such it is my purpose to undeceive. And
now let me say to those who are already
members, abandon your organization-nev-
er go near your lodges let Know Moth
ingism die out. 1t will be best for your
selves, and best for your country. l say
to those hwho are not members Do not
listen to any mans professions or represen-
tatious, but shuh this institution as you
would shun deadly pestilence, for it is
prolific of evil to yourselves, to society, to
your country.
What is the institution Of Know Moth
ingism?
l. No man ever admits himself to be-
long to them. Yod may follow his foot
steps to the lodge, and watch until be
comes out, and ask him il he is one of
them, or il he knows Of such gu organiza-
ton, and he will tell you "No !" No mat
ter what his character-no matter how
good q christian-no matter how exempla-
ry man, he must say NO Why! Read
this oath, and it willexplain to you why a
man in whose words you have always had
implicit confidence, must tell you false
hood
al, II do solemnly swearN upon
this sacred volume Tor cross before Al
mighty God and these witnesses, that l will
not divulge any question proposed to me
here, whether become q member Of
this order or not; and that l will never
under any circumstances whatever, men,
tiOH the name Of any person or persOWs /
may see present during anycf The meetings., II
or that I kRor such an order 10 be in erist-
encc, and that will true answer make
to every question asked Of me, so help me
God"
2. 1t enjoins perjury before our legal
tribunals ! After certain other oaths are
taken, they are explained by functiOnary
called Judge Advocate
my BROrHERs-The Order which has
now received you as members may with all
propriety be considered secret organiza-
ton. 1t is so secret, in fact, that if yon
were placed before a legal tribunal, and
there sworn to tell the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth, you could
not for your lives reveal the name of that
band of brothers among whom your name
now stands enrolled"
What do you think Of that clause,
reader?
8. Its purpose is to control all the Off
ces of this country, and every member
swears that he will yield his private judg-
ment, and do as The majority bids. Read;
".And furthermore promise aud swear,
that | will always conform to the will Of
the majority of the members of this Order,
in the selection of candidates to fill every
Office of honor, profit, or trust within the
gift of the people"
What do you think of that oath, people
of Logan county? When was there ever
before such clique as this in this county
An honest and unsuspecting man becomce
a member. But he is not one Of the mana
gers There are degrees to which none
INIT n nriv;loo.od fa,r of tho echpmnre Can