Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-09-20
describe, but presenting sublime appear,


Between the Guards, the candidate is
escorted into this room. A halt is made OF
a few seconds, that he may have time to
look about him. To the slight tap of a
mufled drum, the guard then moves slow
ly around the hall. Every figure, save
the moving guard look like statues. SO
noiselcss is everything. The candidate
is at length taken before the Adjutant-
when the following occurs
Adjutant countrymen, hail. Pa
triotic hearts welcome you here, for with
such as you to aid us, our country still is
safe. You are now about to pledge your
all to your native land, and it is my duty
to tell you that the act is no farce. Be-
fore high Heaven, and these, your coun-
trymen, the solemn work must be done,
and your oath will be recorded above
And it's we'll you take it, for it may save
you, and your children, from shackles,
worse than those which now bind the chill
dren of men. in the old world. And when
you take it, remember THAT it must be
kept, for Golambia's sons have decreed
that this holding up dagger shall! be
the traitors doom. Comrades, conduct
our countryman to the Colonel, for obli-
! cation. instruction and advice.
TO the solemn tap of a drum, the guard
! again move across the room, and bring the
! can Iidate face to face with the Colonel.
CoIone!-(to candidate)-Are you rea.
dy for the solemn obligations ofthis order :?
Candidate-I am.
Colonel Guard, to duty. The guard
! point their bayonets at the Candidates
breast Ensign, advanced. The en-
sign approaches with the colors of the
regiment, and the candidate is made to
kneel upon one knee. and to place one
hand on a copy Of the Holy Writ, and
! the other upon the flag of his country.
! You will repeat after me the following
obligation.
before high Heaven, and in the pre-
sencc Of these my countrymen. l, John
! Smith, do most solemnly declare that am
! devoted to the institutions and govern
ment Of the United States of America,
which country is my native land and that l
desire them TO flourish, h,and'prosper,t that my
countrymcn and their descendants, for
ever may enjoy the blessings of a free go
vcrnmenL. Therefore, do solemnly re-
nouace and dtnounce all political dema-
gcgues or men who aim to live solely of
! of public Office, let them profess whatever
! principles they may, and in the presence of
! these my countrymen, / swear that L Will
never hereafter vote for any such, or for
any Roman Catholic for office. And do
! further declare, and swear, that in voting
for public officers, hereafter. my prefer
cncc shall be for men born on the soil,
and nominated by this order, provided
they are equal in qualifications and integ-
rity to such as may run against them.
And | DO further swear, tha. from this
moment to the hour of my death L will
keep sacred all The secrets fthis order,a and
never will divulge them to any person,
whatsoever, unless authorized by the au-
authorities of the same. further
promise that il my connection with
this order shall cease, or
= x 4 I will consider
this oath binding to the end OF my life
So help me God"
The candidate then kisses the Bible and
! flag, when he is raised to his feet, and all
hen escort him TO the Major, who in
structs him in the secrets OF the order,
which are not, of course, in the book
He is there presented with what is called
! the " Legion Of Liberty" and /" Colun-
! Ola : own, "ulCu VIC presume SchS'ItAS
emblems Indicative of membership. He
is assigned to his =" mess" and informed
as to who is hereafter to command him in
emergencies. The Guard then escort
him to his seat, where is received with
military salute, and pronounced "Onc Of
! them"
This ends the initiatory ceremonies,
which are certainly beautiful and impress
siye.
OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES.
When the hour Tor opening a regiment
arrives, the Colonel bids the drummer give
two distinct raps on the drum, which ms
! family comm ands silence and order. He
then says. Ensign, advance !" The color
bearer takes position in the center of the
| hall, with standard Of the regiment. The
| Chaplain then come toward, and stationIng
himself beneath the folds OF the Il ag.
reads a portion Of Holy Writ. After
which the members assume an erect posi-
Iiou, while the Chaplain licrs up the follow
ing prayer:
''Most High and Ever Gracious Father
of Mcrcies! Before Thee we again humbly
appear. and crave Thy blessing. Crate
tul Tor Thy many mcrcies, we suPPlicate
Thy guidance in all our acts, that We may
honor Thy name. and add glory to Thy
kingdom of Heaven. Thou, o Lord,
knowest the hearts of men, and Thou
knowest that in assembling here, we seek
only our coun,ry's welfare, the natural
rights of free people aud, the extension OF
pure Christianity. AS Thou o Lord, aided
our fore fathers in their first struggles for
liberty, so, now. We humbly beseech Thee,
be with us. Guide our counsels, aud di-
rect our action to the present and future
welfare of our beloved country. We pray