Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-08-09
Fer Tie Raftsn,ans : Journal
GRAND ExY5sE. ~


the sSKnow \ Nothings,' and believing that my
allegiance to the Constitution requires me to
expose their unholy doings, that my fellow
citizens, and brother democrats,
may beware. have resolved, be the conse-
quences what they may, to publish them to
the world. 1 feel that in doing so l am run
ming great risk, for the bloody bones and
grinning skull of the murdered Morgan, re-
mind me of the fate l cannot but anticipate.
But shall an officer of the valiant Chincl1leca-
moose Rangers hesitate or falter at the ap- |
proach of danger No never! Let it come,
l am prepared to meet my fate, and die a MAJ
tyr to my country, feeling assured that pos
terity will erect monument to my memory, |
whose Handicapped summit shall tower far
above the pigmy columns of Washington and
Bunker Hilli
Then to my work. Through the alleys and
by-paths, the streets and lanes, among the
pig-pens and dung-hills, in the chicken coops
and dog-kennels, in the cellar and garret, in
the church and tavern, in the court house and
private office, have watched them and followed
them, noting every manoeuvre, and perfecting
myself for the accomplishment of the great
task in the performance of which have thus
far progressed. Wherever have seen them,
have been struck with astonishment and
horror by their peculiar movements, stamping
them at once with the guilt of high treason,
because they disregarded the right, and privi-
lege guaranteed to every man by our glorious
Constitution-ss to Know as much as the law
allows him. Yea, verify, upon one occasion,
one of them whispered in my ear, Corporal,
vou're one of us,-vOu don't know as much
as the law allows you!''
But after long and toilsome watch. at
last | cornered them Itwas at the dead hour
of night. The wanning moon looked pale in
the heavens, land gave to all around a jaundiced,
sickly hue. | had Just closed the lids Of
Blackstone, and was proceeding home to
| Draw the drapery of my couch about me
| And lie down to pleasant dreams,
when, horrible to relate, beheld two Of these
.etraitors to THEN God and Country" skulking
round the corner of the market house y! Here
then was a glorious opportunity my long
and toilsome labors were about to be crowned
with success! Iquietly slipped off my boots,
and with cautious tread, and quivering flesh,
crawled gently up that filthy alley. Slowly
l advanced, when some soft and squashy thing
beneath my naked foot caused me to direct
my attention thitherward, and when l raised
my head, they had disappeared. But with my
usual perseverance, I advanced, determined to
explore all the secret places of this dreadful
alley. AT length I arrived at a carpentershop,
and through the crevices l, the Corporal
"-beheld an unco sight,
There were assembled in solemn conclave the
ssKnow Nothings!'' At last had found them,
and 1 knew mine hour had come, that
hour-in which was to do my country signal
service, that would wreathe my brow with
never-fading laurels.
At one end Of the room, on glue-keg, sat
the Grand Magniloquent, or presiding officer,
, who was supported on either side by two Past
Fiddle-de-gigs, with naked, blood-stained
swords crossed over their heads, and holding
in their hands ssbloody bishops mitre,'' sig
nifcant suppose of the decapitation of the
e Catholic clergy. Standing in groups about
R the room were the members, dressed in garb
J. am sorry to say, resembling the uniform o
:, the Chincklecamoose Rangers Suddenly tn
: Grand Magniloquent, in a stentorian voice
= called the meeting to order, striking five rap
: with pondorous malet or gavel, like thos
II commonly used for morticeing locust posts
When the members were all seated, an Office
;, announced seven candidates ready for initia
, ton, whom he was directed to Introduce
They were brought into the room through ira
: door, bIindfolded, and formed into a circl
: round the presiding officer, who commence
!, to humble forth some singular incantatio
| CT I'm
n nothing -lbcmosorham- -rlreoarene. .hmu? Nr,
btrxqk t2ogmx.''
The lights were extinguished, and soon til
r room was illuminated with pale, bueisl
IN sickly fame, and perfumed with an odor yer
lg much like birthstone. The Grand Magnil'
,d quent then turned two somersets forward an
n thirteen backwards, when he appeared in Il
Is character of John Jonston, better known
s. .sBlack Johu, ''and proceeded TO administer Il
oath, which was as follows :--(the candidate
named, first placed one hand on Morgan's c,
I'll position of Masonry, and the other to the
% nose, in the significant manner ofthe boy whc
:" he wishes to say, s.you can't come IT'D
'e ssYou and each of you, do solemnly promis
Il affirm, asservdtc, swear, promulgate, and pre-
se icate, that you viii adopt as your creed, Il
IA sentiments, constitution, bylaws, and forn
of this order, about which you must alwa
NJ ..Know Nothing" That you will never {
II vuIge its forms, secrets, ceremonies, or exi
h. tence,-that you viii represent it outside
r. antagonistic to Catholicism, though y
lv esKnow n othing'' about it, that you will u
~ all your cxertions to procure the lynching
% Stephen Arnold Douglass, by inmersing HI
r f1,nY1 -