The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-11-03
THE OBSTRUCTION TO JUSTICE FROM THE oATHs
OLE KNOW NOTUINGISM.

the administration of the law in courts OF Justice We
copy much Of these proceedings from the Lowell Adyer-
ser shows clearly the practical working of their oahs
in affecting the eredbilty competency of knownoth-
ings as witnesses in When witness takes the
stand he swears that he viii the truth, the
whole truth and nothing but the truth When asked the
question whether he is member of order and as
SUCH bound by oath, if he answers that he
testify without eliminating himself and subjectng him
self TO punishment he is not competent witness. If
he answers that is such member and bound by oath
he thereby violates the obligation of that OATH and dis
credits himself witness. In either point of view the
administration of justice is INSTRUCTED and hwarted This
case exhibits know-nothngism in entirely new light
We have heretofore regarded it engine of political
and religious INTOLERANCE and prescription The case in
Massachusetts, however shows that this was but partial
view of its enomiy The necessary consequence must be
that those who attach themselves to the order and assume
its obligations become incompetent as witnesses, and for
the reason alike incompetent as jurors No man will
feel safe when his rights to be determined upon test-
mony upon verdics proceeding from witnesses jurors
who are bound by oahs which dsquaify them to act in
either capacity The be- that whilst the know
nothngs are combining exclude naturaized foreigners
and Roman Catholics from the full rights of citizenship
they will exclude themselves from the rights Of witnesses
wrongs on others reco and overwhelm the guilty. With
out dwelling further upon the subject copy the proceed
ings which develop with such startling force the wicked
ness as well as the dangers of know-nothingism;
! From The Lowell Advertiser, Oct %.
| KNow-NorHIsGs IN couRT.-pIscL UNDER
At the criminal the court Of pleas, be-
ing held in Lowell Bishop j. presiding, the following
was enacted yesterday (Friday y
The trial the Commonwealth Michael Rear
don rape District Attorney Train for government b.
F. Butler and Daniel Needham for defendant
H. c. Snow of Groton, having testified for the govern
ment Mr.. Butler, examination, asked him the fol-
lowing question
Do you belong a society popularity called know
nothings?
Mr. Snow having denied that he did, and stouy persng
in the denial question put in different FORM when
finally driven the WALL and asked leave Of the court
to consult counsel This liberty politely granted by
Judge Bishop who gave the jury of ten minutes
account of the delay.
When Mr.. again took the stand the question
again asked; upon which he promptly replied
that question without eliminating myself
and subjecting myself to punishment.
Again and again the question urged by the ingenious
counsel for the defendant every time assuming
FORM being the fearful vsage to this disciple Of the
secret ORDER until last having detained the court
than and exhausted everybodys patience, he
piled, al do"
i Ques How long have you belonged to it?
Ans. About four or five months
\ Q. Is a secret society?
O. Did you take any oath obligation in joining that
society?
A. I did take an obligation
Q. Was it in form of an oath 2
O. How was it administered you you hold up your
hand when it was administered!
/ O. Did you call upon God to witness the ohllgatonr
A. think did-.sSo help me God" the words
Q. Are there different degrees in that society,"
A. There
Q. How many have you taken7
O. Does Dr. Norman Smith "a witnes, in this case) be-
long to that society?
g. Have you ever seen John A. Gardner (another wit
messy at the meetings of the society,"
O. Have you ever Dea. John Pngree (another wit
ness) at the meetings OF the society
Il O. What is the form of the nitiation9
A. shall not tell it will ormnate me and expose me to
punishment.
Here the court the witness that he had right
protect himself If he had taken oath contrary law,
he was not bound criminate himself But said Judge
Bishop, this is startling revelation that take obga-
lions in societies which regarded by them OF
higher authority than those administered in this court
/ A. NJ Gage then called He testified, in frank,
humorous manner that he Joined the order but left
months ago. Mr. Butler called his attention to
exposition of the oath published in the Boston Post of
October 49, which Mr. Gage seemed to think about the
kind administered him. though he did not
Der exactly From his testimony judged he had become
Disguised with the ORDER and exposed its secrets without
misgivings.
! DR.. Norman Smith called
Q. Do you belong society opposed to aliens
A. dos to society which is calculated to exercise
ltcal influence.
Q. Does it also exercise religious influence?
A. Some think it does.
4 Q. Can Roman Catholic join that society,"
A. Not if he is foreigner
q. Can he il he is an American-bor citizen
A. No.
O. Can he if his wife Catholic and he Protestant
A. No.
q. What is the object of the society
The doctor, drawing himself up his full height and
tending in statesmankc his right arm, replied
with great eloquence To protect liberty sir r. at the
time bringing his right hand, with great violence,
down upon the judges bench and making the courthouse
with sound of his hand well the music of his
voice.
O. What is the form Of the initiation and what the charac
ter of the obligation you take
A. cannot tell,
Il Q. Why?
A. Because have bound myself not to-
O. But have you not here before this court to tell
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
A. shall not tell unless | am obliged to.
The Court here asked the witness he thought by
ing he would expose himself to punhment to which he
swcred Yes.
O. Did you assist in getting up the lodge at Groton?
i A. did.
4 O. Are You officer in the lodge?
A. am.
O. What office do you hold2
A. that question without eliminating
self. and exposing myself TO punishment.
!
New YoRK-The National Intelligencer has got far
wings fast tending an rreconcilable esrange-
menL and the is the ireesolism of the Clark and
Raymond portion of the party and that the coming cleo