The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-08-24
WASHINGTON CITY.
SECRET SOCIETIES o. FREEDOM OF THOUGHT,
FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF ACTION,
FREEDOM IN MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE AND

pafS Oh the country scSrct ooOie'ss NoN"'I
know-nohings who boast they control the political
elements of the United States They claim that no man
can be elected to public Office against whom they exert
their power or prosper his business where their nfu
epce is controlling if they oppose him. The principles of
the Declaration of Independence the soulsrng creed Of
our revolutionary and PATRIOTS the elements of free
dom constitution the benign character Of laws
and the charitable orgiyng and brotherly affection Of
our holy religion all banshed from objects OF these
cees their places supplied by principles of oppo
site and hostile character. We extract below of
the oabs and ceremonies of this political society
II will be seen with what skin members whcedled into
these societies The great points which the managers seek
to establish and through which they expect to control,
l. The managers, who usually wings, think for the
fraternity who are bound in conformity with their
thoughts.
The freedom of speech in relation the political and
religious schemes of the managers denied to all those
who have been drawn into these anti-freedom traps
8 The freedom of action expressly prohibited in all
cases where managers may order their ubordnates
perform specified act however wrong illibera it may
be-
No member of these societies is at liberty to follow
the dictates of his own conscience but he must yield every
thing to those who are the great of the concerns
and who profit BY them if he violates natural aec
ton his own sense of propcy and right the duties of
religion.
g. He must wage war upon religion and those who
profess it. if its formaie particular kind whether
conformabe to the doctrines of revelation not and
whether its professor honest pure patriotic and blame
less or otherwise Such of the characteristics of
this new secret society which has been brought into exist
ence to retrieve fortunes OF defeated wing candidates.
whose published ceeds received the condemnation of
the American people
What do these skulking, tongue-tied patriots want
The answer is plain They desire Office, which they can
not from the of feemen, who their
p,er and with fearless independence They only
succeed by machinery which enables its managers to
troll the woes of Others who bndy consent to act their
bondsmcn ana who incapable of thinking and acting
for themselves win American freeman consent to
have a master tsl him how he shall act and vote,
or what religion he shall profess? Never Still, this cum
ming conrivance has other object than enabling the
managers control and give the vote Of TIER subordinate
and submissive brethren they shall directard al to
give the leaders the offices within reach Those whom
they use their unhoy work in no way to be bene
6en by becoming the instruments OF the managers III
is ofcs and not patriotic and commendabie measures
that they SEX control In the Of liberty they de-
prye their folio of their right to think act and vote
and subject them 10 the slavery of obedience or to the
DURANGO of the penalties which they have conrved for the
dsobedient This is one Of the most stupcndous inventions
ever contrived to destroy liberty OF thought and action
that have been disclosed to the world But 1t is becoming
harmless. The poor humbugged member 4qst mind MS
master or receive dreaded punishment is TINS iqe ree
dom of which America boasts Is he who votes as others
direct freeman? Can such cravenspirited man be a
democrat? We copy the following from the Cincinnati
Daily Enquirer:
Abract Of oahs and principles Of the mysterious order
knom-nofhings.
The candidate is first proposed member Of the order
the council without his knowledge Three negative votes
elected he secretly requested to present
himsef Of the council when an officer APP
pears Within and administers to him the following
oath:
L., do solemnly swear upon this sacred volume, Cor
crosse before Almighty God and these witnesses, that
will not dvug @ p no me .nd a Will
ne ver under any circumstances whatever meafo" ne
.s.y, or Mes koe Of any such order to Be Il elce
that will true make to every question asked
of me, 50 lep me God
Which being seriously taken by the candidate the officer
to propoand the following nerrogatons before
porting to the counc2 his fitness for initiation
What name z What h ags11 3 Where
Roman Cathocs S. Where xere YOU born? 8. Where
your parents born? 7. Did either Of your ancestors
to use all influence in favor of native
for adj offices of honor trust profit in the
the peoples and do to vote Tor em 10
the exclusion of all aliens and foreigners and Roman Caho
lies particular for all local. State offices
o. Who invited you to be present on this occasion
the candidates satisfactory to these questions
ne is into the council by officers, led up to the
president &C the council who administers the following oath
in the fret degree:
al - voluntarily and freely do solemnly promise and
before Amght, God and these witnesses around
assembled that will not, Under circumstances what
tn
directly indirectly any human being other than
those shall know to be good and true Oh TINS oraer
the mysteries objects OF the same or cause
allow the be done by others il witn my power
being communicated from the order and bav
ing posted and circulated throughout the dnersn
councils of the order traitor and perurer to Doth my
God country and being unworthy to be employed in
whatever and person totally unworthy of the conf
dence of all good and at whom the finger OF sc0rn
shall be pointed furthermore promise that If should
hereafter be expelled from voluntarily leave this order
which foregoing Voluntarily and freely subscribe to,
help me God"
The candidate led officer called the Judge ad
vocate harangues him after this (Thcre
generally half dozen more initiated together)
Ny The order which has received you
members with all popriety be consdercda secret
ganizaon. 1t secret in act that it were placed
before legal tribunal and there tell the TRUTH the
whole TRUTH and nothing but the truth, you could not for
lives reveal the of that band of brothers among
whom your stands enrolled and further than this
when you retire from this meeting you will return
families and friends ignorant when
the name Of this order is concerned.
In with ourselves 'knon nothing and let il
resolve through life TO know nothing that will
all conflict with the high and exalted duties to