The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-10-14
229

pose, too those institutions created by God
himself, and from earliest history, the stron-
gest supporters Of our church l mean
those which recognize kings and princes, and
men of noble Blood 10 rule the more abject
and degraded of the human race. Those in
stltutlons are divine, and can tell thee that
they will exist throughout all time. Even
here, IN this accursed land, where heresy
spawns its discordant elements. a king shall
yet sit in state, and, aided by the church,
rule in regal splendor.
The chaplain then advances and says:
o, thou intolerant and foolish man, who
wouldst make our Creator the author of all
our sin and misery. If thou wouldst only
read the pages of this sacred book, (holding
up the Bible,) you would learn that God is
God Of love, and that christianity brings
peace on earth, and good will to all men.
But thou intolerant priest, would make our
Saviour's mission one of cruelty and blood,
a scourge to our race, torment to us,
wretched mortals that we are. Used as
thou art to despotism of the most cruel
kind, to intolerance, and to slavish lust, tbs
no wonder that thou standest an enemy to
all that is right, just and true. Upon the
authority of this Book of Books, the Word
of Him, who ruleth all things, declare thee
to be an enemy to both God and man.
The Colonel then addresses the candidate
Soldier of the Red Before you have been
displayed the two antagonisms Of the day
despotism in church and state and pure
christianity combined with human rights
and liberty. Already you have enlisted un-
der the Red, but to be a member of the
Guard of the True Blue, requires still greater
sacrifices, and a greater devotion to the prin-
cples of free government. Are you con-
!. vinced and do you honestly feel, that the
Romish or Papal church is ant-chrstian,
and opposed to the principles upon which
the government of these United States is
, founded? t
/ Are you convinced that it is deadly enc
5 my to the free institutions of our country,
and that it has tried and is now trying to
overthrow them, to give place to those of a
=, despotic character?
Do you believe that the Romish hierarchy
r has labored in this country to accomplish it's
ends, through corrupt politicians, and the
/ hordes of ignorant foreigners thrust upon
our shores from Catholic and monarchical
countries? -
5 Do you conscientiously and honestly feel
it to be your duty to battle this enemy of
: liberty with all the means in your power?
Are you willing to pledge yourself by SOL
emn oaths, to oppose them politically willis
you live? at .a ge
Are You willing to bind yourself by oath,
to act with others of your countrymen, in
such opposition, and to do whatever the Or
ganization shall bid you, to sustain its cause,
provided what is required of you shall not
be unbecoming christian, freeman, and
E patriotic citizen of the United States?
Candidate answers, and if his answers to
all these questions are in the affirmative.
the Colonel asks him to be placed in the at
titude of obligation. The members all
kneel. The flag is thrown over the candi-
dates right shoulder, and tied under the left
arm and he then kneels, places both hands
upon the Bible, and with his face toward
: Heaven, repeats after the Adjutant the fol-
1 lowing oath:
I, John Smith, firmly believing that it is
: my duty, as a man and a Christian, to sup
port the constitution and government of
t the United States Of America, do hereby
t solemnly swear that it is for that purpose
| alone have sought admission into the
e Guard of the True Blue, and before Heaven
t | do promise that will forever keep secret,
' all its business and movements, and that
, never will expose to any one not member,
} the signs, grips, and secret words of the True
: Blue; and further promise and swear that
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