The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-10-14

Old world. And when you take it, RENE mber
that 1T must be kept, for Colunbia's sons
have decreed that this (holding up dagger
snail be the traitors DOOM Comrades, gon-
duct our countryman to the Colonel, for
obligation, instruction and advice.
10 the solemn tap of the drum, the guard
again move across the room, and bring the
candidate face 10 face with the Colonel
Colonel-Are you ready for the solemn
obligations of this order {?
Candidate--I am.
Colonel-Guard, to duty. The guard
point their bayonets at the candidates
breast. Ensign, advance The Ensign
approaches with the coors Of the regiment.
and the candidate is made to kneel upon one
knee, and to place one hand on a copy of
.ot the Holy Writ, and the other upon the
flag OF his eountry.l You will now yepeas
after me the following obligation.
" Before high Heaven, and in the presence
Iol these my countrymen, |, John Smith, do
most solemnly declare that am devoted to.
the institutions and government of the
United States of America, which country is
my native land, and that desire them 10
flourish and prosper, that my countrymcn
and their descendants may enjoy the blcs-
sings or Tree government. Therefore [
do most solemnly renounce and denCuuCr
all political demagogueS 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 counlrymen,
| swear that will never hereafter vote for
any such, or for any Roman Catholic for
office. And do further declare, and swear.
that III voting for public officers hereafter.
my preference shall b. for men born on tn.
soil, and nominated by this order, provided
they are equal in qualifica tions and in.egri
ty to such as may run against them. And
do further swear, that from this momcat
to the hour of my death, will keep sacred
all the secrets Of this order, and will never
divulge them to any person, Whatsoever,
unless authorized by the authorizes Of the
same. further promise that if my connec-
ton with this order shhall cease, or
| will consider this
oath binding to the end of my life So help.
me God"
The candidate then kisses the Bible and
the flag, when he is raised to his feet and all
shout " Welcome, comrade - The Guard
then escort him to the Major, who inslrucs
him in the secrets Of the order, which are
not, of course, in the book. He is then pre-
sented with what is called the Legion OF
Liberty and CoumbiaS Own" which we
presume, contains certain emblcmS indica-
tive OF membership. He is assigned 10 his
mess" and informed as to who is hereafter
to command him in emergencies. The Guard
then escort him to his seat, where he is re
ceived with military salute, and pronounS-
ed I" one of them"
This ends the initiatory ceremonies, which
are certainly beautiful and impressive.
OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES
When the hour for opening Regiments
arrives, the Colonel bids the drummer give
two distinct raps on the drum, which in
stantly commands silence and order. He
then says, Ensign advance" !" The color
bearer takes position in the center of the
hall, with the standard of the regiment The
Chaplain then comes forward, aud stationinp
himself beneath the folds of the flag, reads
portion of holy writ. After which the
members assume an erect position, while the
Chaplain offers up the following prayer:
Most High and Ever Gracious Father OF
Mcrcies! Before Thee we again humbly APP
pear, to crave Thy blessing Grateful for
Thy many mercies, we supplicate Thy gui-
dance 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 all men, and Thou knowest that in as
sembling here, we seek only our country's
welfare, the natural rights OF free people,