Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-11-08
MORE STARTLING DISCLOSURES i


MORE STARTLING DISCLOSURES
We invite the attention of our readers to the fol-
lowing startling disclosures in relation to the nature
of the oaths taken by the members ofthe secret
der of Know-Nothings." Read and ponder what
follows: = Z. ~ sssra,5 80 s.ssr-+ -
From the Lowell {Mass.) Advertiser.
KNow-NoTHMGs IN CoURT-D1sCLosUREs UNDER
OATH. At the criminal term of the court of common
pleas now being held in Lowell, BisbopJ presiding,
the following scene was enacted yesterday Friday3
The trial was the Commonwealth o. Mi
chael Readon for rape District Attorney Train for
government, B. F. Butler and Daniel Needham for
defendant --'s-.s 70, .ys = .se.s-s. . 50
II. @. Snow, of Groton, having testified for the
government Mr.. Butler, on ross-examination asked
him the following question:
Do you belong to secret society, popularity CALI
ed know nothings?
persisting in the denial, the question put in
different FORM when he was finally driven to the
WALL and asked leave CT the court to consult counsel
This liberty was politely granted by Judge Bishop,
who gave the Jury a recess often minutes account
of the delay. +N
When Mr.. Snow again took the stand, the ques-
ton was again asked; upon which he promptly re-
piled -. -.-
cannot answer that question without eliminating
myself and suhjecting myself TO punishment.
Again and again was the question urged by the
ingenious counsel for the defendant every time as
Stunning some new form, but being the same fearful
visage to this disciple of the secret ORDER until at
last having detained the court than two hours
and exhausted everybody's patience he replied, 81
do"
Dues. How long have you belonged to itG
Ans. About four or five months.
@. Is it q secret society? .t..-....s g.
A. 1t is
@. Did you take any oath or obligation in joining
that society {?
A. I did take obligation. .-.-.:.. -,
O. Was it in form of an oath? So
A do not know.
Q. How was it administered to you; did you hold
up your hand when it was administered?
A. did. r. .r-...-. +.
Q. Did you call upon God to witness the obliga-.
ton? ...
last words
Q. Are there different degrees in that society,"
A There
O. How many have you taken?
A. Two. .-. ,..
@. Does Dr. Norman Smith "a 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 meetings of the society?
A have.
Q. Have you ever seen Dea. John Pingree (anoth-
er witness)at the meetings of the socictyP
O. What is the form of the initiation
A. shall not tell, as it will crminate and ex-
pose me to punishment.
Here the court remarked to the witness that he
had right to protect himself If he had taken an
oath contrary to law, he not bound to crimnate
himself. But said Judge Bishop this is startling
revelation that take obligations in secret socie
ties which regarded by them as of higher auth
orty than those administered in this court.
A NJ. Gage was then called. He testified, in
frank, humorous manner, that he once Joined the
order, but left it some three months ago. Mr. But
Ter called his attention to exposition of the oath
published in the Boston Post of October %, which
Mr. Gage seemed to think was about the kind ofoath
administered to him, though he did not remember
exactly. From his testimony we judged he had
become disguised with the order, and exposed its
secrets without any misgivings.
DR.. Norman Smith called.
@. Do you belong to secret society opposed to
aliens?
A. do; a society which is calculated to exercise
political influence.
O. Does it not also exercise a religious infunce?
A. Some think it does.
@. Can Roman Catholic join that society :?
A. Not if he is a foreigner.
4. 4: No. on lie i lie al @>n''''ADO' ''''N
Q. Can he if his wife is Catholic and he Protes-
tant?
A. No.
Q. What is the object of the society,"
The DOCTOR drawing himself up to his full height,
and extending in statesmanlike manner 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 courthouse echo with the
Q. What is the form of the initiation, and what
the character of the oblingaton you take?
A l connot tell
Q. Why?
A. Because have bound myself not to.
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 1 am obliged to.
The Court here asked the witness if he thought
by answering he would expose himself to punish
ment; to which he answered. Yes.
O. Didyou assistin getting up the lodge at Groton?
A. did.
Q. Are you an officer in the lodge2
A. am.
O. What office do you hold?
A. cannot answer that question without Grim
mating myself, and exposing myself to punishment.
For the Standard.