New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-08-10
THE KNOW-NOTHINGS.
Frons The RieAmond Czansin<r.

and veraev Of our correspondent We have no
doubt te ratification Of these revelations will brew
storm Of anger and excitement in the Councils herea-
bout but stern in our purpose to furnish the pubic tue
whole truth on this question We give the whole Scheuue
10 the Winds We led to believe that has never pe
fore been dragged before the pubic gaze Having no
couaiptopce with the proceedings of secret order in
the heavens above in the earth beneath or the waters
uuder ,be earth we not prepared to say that the
bnps below depc ed too monsrous for belief as they
would seem TO be TO the honest patriot. Yet we have
GOOD reason TO believe that the picture ugly and hdeous
as it appears, is faithful and accurate.
The writer, in his accompanying letter, says of the
party:
"in - the writer's State they are Wings and Alb
otionists with sprLkling OF bogus Anti Nebraska Dem
ocrsts Ii is undoubtedly intended by the movers and
orginators of this party to establish themselves thor
oueby in all cities towns Villages roads and neigh
borbOOds preparatory TO the elections OF 90 and carry
their brotherhood then into Office.
The pre- ritual Of the order in this State has come into
nv HANDS by accident They adopt few written formula
in their Councils possible, but they pamphlet
tanning their short constitution and bylaws, their method
Of procedure IN initiating members, the duty OF officers
sueOns to the inflated candidates OF the ist ID ana
Sd degrees in fact all their principles and objects The
oahs il is supposed are the same throughout the United
Sta,ee in Virginia well this State and to aid you
copy al and send them to you inclosed. was never
rtInber of the order the whole thing having been dis
closed TO me by of their SITS.
''Tlere is a Grand Council for each State. Councils
subordnae be Instituted any locality IN state Dy
charter from the Grand Council, preceded by petition
for the same from thirteen citizens who initiated by
irave cling sgent They pay sl2 receive charter and
zeal and 20 to work. They aim at all The p0wernot at
the Galanoe as you have been led TO suppose.
Notbingism s opposed to the sentiments which,
by the aid of your Jefferson and all your revolutionary
men brought these States out of servtude to independ
ence The ends of Know NOhingsm nothing short OF
scfGr0a power which they will carry, if necessary, over
the slain bodies OF great, patriotic and true class OF
Americas citizens and Democrats Ii will never do; and
this cannot fail of being Immediately apparent the
animation Of their oahs and tests. Is it right that CGtho
lies and adopted citizens should be totally prescribed in
republican government where all constitutions are
most particular in 'Proscr6ing ProscrtPoHl Whatcan
come il but alienation OF brothey love- prostraon Of
all faternal feeling, civil in all cities, feuds in
villages battles public works, discord, anarchy,
overthrow Of rpublicansm, and arrest of progress
myself in favor of the fastest AMI youngest Democracy
and Amercens have not the least objection - your in
suions the South and am glad to and know that
the South equally progressive and thrifty with the North
hope that Kansas and Nebraska may both be populated
by oug people, and Slavery be adopted in their COnsttu
tions II The North should refuse TO accept them main
tain your rights, at the hazard of dissolution Though
that would be TO be regretted and deplcred IS yoEr
! right and being So should be maintained.
| IL would mention that Know-Nothng Couacils-that
is the name their associations known by among them
selves; as for instance Ethan Allen Council No 81 of
"fhe Supreme Order of 76 (knoc- Nothing is for out
side barbarians make nominations directly, when strong
enough to elect officers and their system ramies into
every business and relation of life their members swearing
TO support a brother before all others.
ABSTRACT TIE oATHs AND PRINCIPLES OF THE AYsrE-
RIoUs ORDER OF KSow.NoTHINGs
1s % @ Us s pows se'r 81 bT ss
negative votes 6oekbGH him. If elected he is secretly
sted present himself in the ante OF the Coun
ell when officer appears from within and administers
TO him the following oath:
al III do solepnnly swearN upon this sacred vol
or cross before Almighty God and these Witnesses
that will dvulge any question proposed to me here
whether become menber of this Order not n and
that will never under any circumstances whGteverh
mention the name Of any persona may see present. during
IN eI,sescc and that will make every
question asked of me- so help me God.
Which being seriously taken by the candidate the Off
proceeds TO PROFOUND the following interrogatons
before reporting to the Council his fitness for initiation
81. What is your name7 2. What is your age
g. Where is your residence In your religious belief
t. Where your parents bornf 7. Where were your
grand parents bornl 6. Did either of ancestors
take a part in the American Revolution g. Are you
willing all the influence you possess in favor of
tive-bon American citizens for all offices of honor trust
profit in the gift of the peoples and do you promise to
vote forthem To- the exclusion of all aliens and foreigners
and Roman Catholics in particular for all local. State
Government offices 10. Who invited you to be present
this occasonf"
questions he is into the Council by two officers led
up the President of the Council who administers the
following oath in the FIRST Degree:
IL, - voluntarily and freely do solemny promise
and swear, before Almighty God and these witnesses
around me assembled that l will not, under any cir
cumstances whatever divuge make known any per-
son or persons either directly indirectly, any
human being other than those shall know good aud
members Of this Order the name secrets mysteries,
or objects of the same allow the TO be
done by others, if within my power TO prevent the same
binding myself under the less penalty than that of be-
ing accommodated from the Order, and having my
name posted and circulated throughout the different
Councils Of the Order as traitor and perurer to both
my God and country, and as being unworthy TO be en-
ployed entrusted, counenanced, supported in any
business transaction wh.tever, and as person totally
worthy of the confidence OF all good men, and one at
whom the finger of shall ever be pointed. fur
thermore promise that if should hereafter be expelled
FROM or voluntarily leave this Order, will consider this
obligation as binding out Of it as in it. All of which
foregoing voluntarily and freely subscribe to- so help
me God"
The candidate is then led to an officer called the Judge
Adrocate who harrangues him after this manner There
is generally half dozen or initiated together
"MY BRoTHERs: The Order which has now received
you members may with all proprety be considered
Secret Organization. Ii secret IN fact that you
placed before legal tribunal, and there sworn TO
tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth
you could for your lives reveal the of that band
Of brothers among whom your name now STANDS en-
rolled aud further than this when You retire from this
meeting, you will return 10 yoar families and friends as
ignorant IS when you came as far as the name oil this
Order is concerned
"In common with ourselves, you KAov Nothing, and
let il be your stern resolve through life 10 Know Moth
ing that will at all conflict with the high and exalted du
es you yoSr God, your country aud yourselves,
far regards the preservation OF American liberty
which alone be secured to ourselves and children
by the entire and absolute exclusion OF all foreign influence
in those matters which sppertain to our Government
policy
After the delivery of this patriotic address the canli
date is referred to the Instructor who teaches him
the signs and grips, and in what manner to obtain
entrance into the Council He is then Master OF the
Fst Degree and signs his to the register. Ii he
behares rel weeks and il is conceded that he will do
10 become full-booded Know Nothng-abstsins from
ali bo6 outside the Counchis friends propose him for
the second Degree. After election TO that Degree, he
and Others are brought and take the following oath
81, -, do soemnly promise and before
Almighty God and these witnesses that will not under
any Circumstances, dvulge make known the of