Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-04-07
rHr w.norHrnos .

society which appeafsto Veofignateu
n New York, and 10 have first shown
is teeth at the last State election, but
which has since extended itself through |
most of the cities and some Of the
villages Of the Union. The
Delta says its adherents in that city
are variously estimated atfve hundred
to FIVE thousand, but are probably not
far from six hundred. The nearest
Lodge we know offs at Versailles. If
the following expose is correct. we
hope they will be few and far between
in this country. 1t proceeds:
The objects ofthe "Know-Nothings."
are twofold--part religious, part po-
litical; and the ends aimed at. the dis
reimbursement of adopted citizens, and
their exclusion from Office, and per-
petual war upon the Catholic religion.
With these cardinal principles, the
qualifications for membership and
brotherhood are easily determined.
LIST. The applicant for admission TO
"wigwam," must be a native born
citizen, of native born parent, and not
of the Catholic religion.
Cd. To renounce all previously
entertained political leanings. and CO.
operate exclusively with the new
order.
Sd, TO hold neither political, nor
religious intercourse with any person
who is a Catholic; but, on the contrary
to use all available means to abolish the
political and religious privileges he
may at present enjoy.
4th. That he will not vote for any
man for Office who is not native citi-
zen of the United States, or who may
be disposed, il elected, to place any
foreigner or Catholic in any office Of
emolument or trust-the latter not
being, in the opinion OF "Know-N 10Th
ings," a"credible witness" in any case
save where the oath is administered by
his priest.
The passwords" and "signs" fol-
admission into the "wigwam' of the
"know-Nothings" are as follows:-
The applicant raps at the outer door
an indefinite number of times, asking
at the close, in low, whispering voice
"What meets here to-day" Tor night
as the case may be- The interrogated
Immediately replies, 81 don't know
To which the applicant for admission
responds, 81 am one," and forthwith
is admitted to a second door, at which
he gives four distinct raps, when the
door being opened, he whispers to hi:
attendant Thirteen" and then ad
vances into the body of the lodge.
If disposed to leave before the ad
journment of the lodge, the member
leaving salutes the President, then tn.
Vice-President. by first placing hi,
right hand on his heart, then letting i
fall to his side, whispering to the Guar
dian as he retires ''thirteen.
lfa member requires the assistance
of brother when mixing promiscu
ously with the public, he places tn,
right forefnger upon the lefteye- brow
as In the act of scratching, looking
directly at the person whose attention
he desires to attract when, ifthe per
son be member, he is bound to re
spond Immediately by a similar sign
Ii it be desired to know of a strange
whether,he is of the initiated, on shak
ing hands with him thu. middle fuge
is placed upon the lowest joint of hi
finger, next the wrist, with a gentl
pressure; when, if he be a member, b,
will ask. "Where did you get that" Il
which he will rejoin, 81 don't know;
and the querist will end by replying
81 don't know either.''
Nothing concerning the association
is to be committed to writing or pub
blished, and the most profound silenc
and secrecy are to be observed b,
! every "Know-N Nothing" outside; bu
everything inside the Wigwam is i'm
parted indiscriminately to members.
, Every member, on admission, swear
by holdidg up his right hand, ant
pledges himselfto do all in his powe
to put down foreign influence, ant
particularly the Catholic religion, ant
in no case to vote for any person 70
any Office who is not "native Ameri
can citizen;" and no one, with som
exceptions, is eligible to membership
unless he and both of his parents ar
native born.
There are several Lodges, or Wig
vans, at this time open-one, presided
over by a Mr.. H--ty, assemblies in
room in the Mechanics Institute; an
: another holds its meetings at No.
New Basin. There are three degree
to be taken by members; between eac
. intervals of three weeks must occur.
r The New York Missionary who cam
here to organize the "Know- Nothings,
is styled "Judge-Advocate," and he
charged with like duties in every othe
city in this section.
As no records are kept, or publica
tons made by the Association, til
plan of notifying members of an
emergency requiring their speed
assemblingis by scattering small squar
pieces of white paper over the ban
quotes and public thoroughfares. an
. by mailing them to posts, doors, or othe
! places accessible to the public.
NEBRASKA.
President Pierce. according to Nj