The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-11-16
KNOW NOTHINGISM IN C0URT-EXTRAOR-
BINARY PROCEEDINGS.
ANOTHER KNOW NOTHING EXPOSE.

1t will be SEEM by the following article from
the LO1ceU AdreTfiSeT, that some of the secrets
of the Know Nothings have yielded to the au-
thority of a court of justice.
At the criminal term of the Court of Com
mon Pleas now being held in Lowell, Judge
Bishop presiding, the following scene was en-
acted on Friday:
Michael Reardon, for rape District Attorney
Train for Government, B. +. Butler and Daniel
Necdham for defendant.
II. c. Snow, of GrOton, having testified for
the Government, Mr.. Butler, on cross-examina-
ton, asked him the following question:
Do you belong to a secret society, popularity
called the Know Nothings ?"
MIR. Snow having denied that he did, and
Stoutly perSisting in the denial, the question
was put in different form, when he was final
" driven to the WALL and asked leave of the
Court to consult counsel. This liberty was po-
litely granted by Judge Bishop, who gave the
jury recess of ten minutes, on account Of the
DELAY.
When Mr.. Snow again took the stand, the
question was again asked upon which he
promptly replied, " | cannot answer that ques-
ton without eliminating myself, and subiecting
myself to punishment" Again and again was
the question urged by the ingenious counsel for
the defendant, every time assuming new form,
that being the same fearful visage to this disci-
pie of the secret order, until at last, having de-
tanned the Court more than two hours, and ex-
hausted everybodys patience, he replied, 81
do"
Cues How long have you belonged to it 4?
Ans. About four or five months. .. Is it a
secret society? \. 1t is. Q. Did you take any
oath or obligation, in joining that society? A.
/ did take an obligation. q. Was it in the
form of an oath ? A. do not know. O. How
was ii administered to you-did you hold up
your hand when it was administered? A. |
did. Q. Did you call upon God to witness the
obligation? A. | think | did " so help me
God!' were the last words. Q. Are there diff
ferent degrees i'll that society? A. There are.
Q. How many have YOU taken? A. Two. Q.
Does DR.. Norman Smith Ia witness in this
case) belong to that society? A. have seen
him at the meetings. Q. Have you ever seen
John A. Gardner (another witness) at the meet
ngs of the society? A. / have Q. Have
you ever seen Dea. John Pingree (another wit
ness at the meetings of the society? A. /
have. Q. What is the form Of initiation? A.
| shall not tell, as it will criminate me- and ex-
pose me to Judgment
Here the Court remarked to the witness that
he had right to protect himself. If he had
taken an oath contrary to the law, he was not
bound to criminate himself But said Judge
Bishop, this is startling revelation that men
take obligations in secret societies which are
regarded by them as of higher authority than
those administered in this Court.
A. NJ. Gage was then called.-He testified. in
q frank, humorous manner, that he once Joined
the order, but left it some three months ago.
Mr. Butler called his attention to an exposition
of the oath, published in The Boston Post of
Oct %, which Mr.. Gage seemed to think was
about the kind of an oath administered to him.
though he did not remember exactly From
his testimony we judge he had become disgust
ed with the order, and exposed its secrets with
out any misgivings.
Dr. Norman Smith called.-Q. Do you be-
long to a secret society opposed to aliens
A. | do; to society which is calculated to
exercise a political influence O. Does it also
exert a religious influence? A. Some think it
does. Q. Can Roman Catholic join that soci-
ETY.? A. Not if he is a foreigner. Q. Can he
if he is an American-born citizen? A. No.
Q. Can he if his wife is a Catholic and he a
Protestant? a. No. Q. What is the object
of the society?
The Doctor, drawing himself up to his full
height, and extending in statesman-like man
ncr his right arm, replied with great eloquence,
To protect our liberty, sir!" at the same time
bringing his right hand with great violence down
upon the judges bench, and making the court
echo with the sound of his hand, as we'll as the
music of his voice
z. What is the form of initiation. and what
the character of the obligation you take? A.
| cannot tell Q. Why? A. Because / have
bound myself not! Q. But have you not sworn
here, before this court to tell the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth? a. | shall not tell
unless | am obliged to.
The Court here asked the witness if he
thought by answering he would expose himself
to punishment? To which he answered, yes.
Q. Did you assist in getting up the lodge at
Groton? A. l did. Q. Are you an officer in
the lodge? A. | am. Q. What office do you
hold? A. ! cannot answer that question with
out eliminating myself and exposing myself to
punishment