The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-04-07
THE KNOW NOTHINGS."

The New Orleans Delta gives the follow.
ing account Of The new secret society which
appears 10 have originated in New York,
and TO have first shown its teeth at the last
State election, but which has since extended
itself through most Of the cities and some
Of the principal villages OF the Union. The
Della says its aiherenls in that city are va.
riously estimated at FIVE hundred 10 five
thousand, but are probably no, far from six
hundred. II proceeds:
The objects of the "Know. No,hings" are
two.fold-pari religious, part political; and
tho ends aimed at, the Acknowledgement OF
adopted citizens and their exclusion from
office, .and perpetual war upon The Calho.
lie religion. With these cardinal princi.
pies, The qualifications for membership aud
brotherhood aie easily determined.
Is,. The applicant for admission 10 a
"wig-wam,' must be nativc.born citizen,
Of na'iye.born parents, and not Of the Cath.
Ollie religion.
Cd To renounce all previously entertain
cd political leanincs, and cooperate exclu.
sively with the :iew order.
81. To hold neither political, civil, mol
religious intercourse with any person who
is Catholic; bui, on the contrary, 10 use
all available means 10 abolish tho political
and religious privileges he may al present
enjoy.
4th. Tha, he will not vote for any man
n I,p Ia M On nC la,
United States, or who may be disposed, il
elected, to place any foreigner or Catholic
in any Office of emolument or trust = the
latter no; being, in the opinion Of "K,iow.
Nolhings,n "credible witness in any case
save where The oath is administered by bis
priest. 81, a..
TIE "pass words" and "signs" for adj
mission into the "wig.wam" Of the "Know.
Nothings" arc as follows: The applicant
raps at The outer door an indefinite numbei
of times, asking al the close, in low, wills
pering voice, "What meets here 10 dayP'-
Cor night, us the case may bc.) The in.
ieriocated Immediately replies, ~ don't
know To which the applicant for admis'
sion responds, III am one," and forthwith
admitted to second door at which he
gives four distinct raps, when the door being
opened, he whispers 10 his attendant "Thir-
teen," aud then advances into the body oil
the lodge. ...f
II disposed 10 leave before the adjourn
ment Of the lodge, the member leaving
salu,es the President, then. the Vice Presl'
dent, by first placing bis right hand on hi.
heart, then Ici,ing il fall TO his side, whis
pering 10 the Guardian as he reiires, "ihir'
teen.' ..
la member requires the assistance Of a
brother when mixing promiscuously with
the public, he places the right fore6nger
upon the left eyebrow, a. il in the act Of
scratching, looking directly at the person
whose attention he desires to attract, when
IL the person. be member, he is bound to
respond Immediately BY similar sim. II
i DO desired to know OF a stranger whether
he is Of The initiated, on shaking hands with
him the middle finger is placed upon The
lowest joint OF his finger next the wrist with
gentle pressure; when il he be mem.
Der. he will ask, "Where did you gel lhat!"
10 which he will rejoin, vi don't know y
and the queria will eud by replying,"i don't
know either" 30 = z. 800 ...tr. \,
Nothing concerning the association Is 10
DO committed to writing or published, and
the most profound silence and secrecy are
10 be observed by every "Know Nothing"
outsids but everything inside tho Wig.
wan is impaired indiscrimina'ely to mem.
bers. rs - III. -. gs,l f.r-r 4.
Every member, on admission swears by
holding up his night hand, and pledges
himself to do all in his power to put down
foreign influence, and particularly the
Catholic religion, and 10 no case, to vote
for any person for any Office who Is not q
"naiive American ciiizen;" and no one,
with some exceptions Is eligible 10 mem.
bership, unless he and both Of his parents
aie native born. a., - -3ls- a
There arc several Lodges, or Wigwams,
q this Tins opcn--one, presided over o. q
Mr.. H-ty assemblies in . room in tho Me.
ohanies' Institute and another holds isl