Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-08-09
RICHMOND WING.
II. Knew so,hI.s,-rh.lr Secret, o.,.

possession Of abstract Of the oaths and principles
Of the mysterious and growing order Of Know Moth
inks. The Examiner expresses tho greatest conf
dence in the sincerity and veracity Of its correspond
ent and says 1t has good reason to believe that the
picture he gives OF this new and strange association
Ia faithful and accurate.
The writer informs us that their associations are
known among themselves by tho name Of Know
Nothing Couneilr as, for instance, ETHAN ALLEN
Council, No. 81 Of the Supreme Order Of 70 !" and
that the term Knoto Nohingis merely for outsiders
He tells us also that they adopt few written iormus
in their Councils possible; but they pamphlet
containing their short constitution and bylaws their
method Of procedure in initiating members the duty
of officers instructions to the initiated candidates Of
the ls I'd and Sd degrees in Short all their princ.
pies and objects Their osths it is supposed arc the
same throughout the United States
There is also said to be Grand Council for each
State. Subordinate Councils may be instituted in
any locality in State, by charter from tho G and
Council, preceded by petition for the same from
thirteen citizens who initiated by travelling
agent They pay gle, receive charter and SEAL and
go to work. 1t is further asserted that they aim
oil tho poos and not merely at the balance OF orer,
as has been generally supposed.
For the instruction Of the reader upon an interest
ing and much vexed question, and one that bids fair
to exert some influence in the political affairs of the
country, We surrender large portion of our space
to the revelation made by the Examiners correspon.
dent, which subjoin:
ABSTRACT THE 0ATns AND PRIScIrLxs OF THE ursry-
Ators ORDER OF The kSow-SoTHISGs.-rhe candidate is
first proposed by member Of the Order to the Council
without his knowledge. Three negative votes 6aebas
him. II elected he secretly requested present him
self In the antiroom Of the Council when an officer an
pears from within and administers him the following
OATH
~ II do solemnly swearI upon this sacred vol
"ume Tor cross before Almighty God and these vii.
''nessss, that will not divuge any question proposed
" me here whether become q member OF this ord,r
&C not; and that will never under any circumstance
whatever. mention the naas OF any person mag rec
"prs.snti daring any Of The meetings or Mat AHo.
"sLeh Order 10 be IN s<istetes and that will ru.
" answer make 10 every question ked Of me- he'll,
me God"
Which being seriously taken by the candidate the off,
Ger proceeds TO PROFOUND the following
before reporting the Council his fitness Tor initiation
81 What is your natnes g What ia your age! 2.
"Where is your residence !. In your religious belicfM
'you Roman Cathoicy 5. Where were yol hor. p
"e. Where your parents horn Z. Where were
"yosr grand parents born S. Did either of your
"tors ever take part in the American Revolution ..
Are you wiling all the influence you poss.si ia
favor Of native born American citizens, for all offices
"honor, trust profit in the gift the people, and you
promise 10 vote for them to the excursion OF all aliens
"forcguers and Roman Catholics in particular :ur nj!
local State or Government offices 10. Who Invited
"you 10 be present on this occasion ?"
IL the candidates. satisfactory these CUES.
tions he Ia taken into the Council by officers led
90 the Prtiidsn OF the Council! who adm tue fol
lowing oath In the lTt Degree
81. - voluntarily aud freely DO soieully promise
and swear, before Almighty God and these Hituess..
around me assembled that will not, under any circun.
stances whatever, dsuge make known any person
or persons, either directly Indirectly auy human
being other than those shall know be good and
members Of this Order, the name, yscrie OF
objects OF ihe same, allow the same 10 b.
% done by others, II within my power to prevent the
same Binding myself under the no less penalty than that
OF being eIconmuncatej from the Order aud aagng nv
name posted and circulated throughout the different Coun
ellis OF the Order traitor and peIarer to both INV God
and country, and as being unworthy TO be employed
entrusted, countenanced, or supported In any business
nansacton whatever, and as person totally unworthy Of
the confidence OF all good men, and one whom the
hnger OF scorp shall ever be pointed furthermore
promise that IL should hereafter be expelled fiom or
voluntarily leave this Order, will consider this obligation
a. binding out OF il as in it. All of which foregoing
voluntarily and freely subscribe to, so help God !"
The candidate Ia then led officer called the Tadge
Advocate who harrangues him after this manner There
generally half dozen more initiated together
my Brothers: The Order which has received VI
- Members, may with all propriey be considered Sc
cret 10 fact that you we're placed before Ieg, tribunal
and there sworn to eel! the TRUTH the whole truth and
nothing but tho TRUTH you could for your lives reveal
the Of that band OF brothers among whom vonr
name stands enrolled and further than this when
you retire from this meeting you will to your fami
mes and friends as ignorant as when you came as far rs
the name OF this Order Is concerned.
"ln common with ourselves you "RnoD NoLlinon and
lot t be your stern resolve through le TO know Moth
ing that will at all conflict with the high and xasd d
you owe your God your country and yourselves
Tar as regards the preservation Of American bory which
can alone be secured TO ourselves and our children by the
entire anu absolute exclusion Of foreign influence 10 those
matters which appertain to government policy
After the delivery Of this patriotic address the csnd;
date Is referred to tho Insruc.oy who teaches him The
s.gns aud grips, and In what TO obtain entrance
into the Council lie il then Master OF the ls, Dsuroo
n atpr hal LII.
weeks and it Is conceded that no will do 10 become mil
blooded Know Nothng-ab'tains from all bla6b outside
sns Council his friends propose him for the 2nd Degree
Amer election 70 that Degree he aud others are brought
In aud take the following oath
y -, do soemnly promise aud swear before
Almighty God, and these Witnesses that will not under
any circumssuces diyulgo make known the mama nj
tns order or It's objects 70 soy person or persons in the
ou' unless 70 those whom may know belong to this
Order 10 good and regular standing
And furthermore promise aud swear that 7 ill
neither write, print cut carve epgrnye enbos. st,mn
hain or mark any secrets Of this Order on an,tbin
mo,e,ole or immoVehble on the earth ses, whereby
said secrets or any psH thereof the OF the Order
i operations, the nsme ofs officers or the name of n,
members or its place Of meeting NAY become known In
tho.s who have not received the r aud second Degrees
OF TINS order IN due orm will cause permit the
sane 70 be done II within my power 70 prevent the ste
And furthermore promise and swear that will al
Sys ooniorm to the will Of tho majority OF the members
WIS Oder, ~ hf selection Of candidates TO R every
once Of honor, profit trust, within the gift Of the ,
pie, provided such candidates shall have bscn bor5 Of
NueHetu parents on American soil aud shall have been
edueaed 10 4nericin Institutions aud that viii use All
tee onnsnoe m'J posses elect all such eand dates
suom Know " lie opposei 10 fore "a influence Popery
Jesuliism and Catholicism, without any hesitation IN r.,
psu whatever And furthermore promi,s add syys,y
that will strictly conform 10 and ablds by the o,tb sy
poH TAKEN apd ths' will stnct O1sle1ce pay 70 the
consltuhon Laws Rues, Ritual aud Hes Of the honor
able Grand Council Of this Order, Of the STATE Of -
aud 70 the by Lave Of --- Couocl No - TO which I
BoW belong OF 10 those Of any other Grand or
Council from which may hereafter hail binding m zee
under the no less penstc' than are attached or belong
% those Why violate the oath Of the fret d,grs Of this Or
der. All the fHegoog voluntarily subscribe 10 Of nv
oHo free Vl and sccofd, 50 help me God
The candidate i aSo led Of the Jadgs Ado,1,e and
Afterwards 10 the Laaraio but their spseches aud Ice
tares are not inserted here fJr want oil space
OBLIGATION Third DEGREF
IL. knseling b,fJre God, my maker, my left
hand uprased toward heaven my right hand asping the
neg o. ny naive land, Of my free will aud accord
10 sosuoy aud sincerely promise. declare and tba
s never communicate any of the Of this degrees
90 soJ person o. persons In the world except within the
eo1y Of legally orgtnnsi Council Of this ORDER or 70
kaovn brother Of this degree, snd him.
teep uoul am well asared that they are Just and up
right brethren Sbo are legally entitled 70 rece the same