Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-11-10
From the Washington Union
The Obstr Justice from the Oaths OF Know
f@sE~=sse%FF Not

Th. obs t5uetion 10 Justice Oaths of K"o,s-
F.E%=s< Nothingism
The proceedings on late criminal trial IN Massa-
chusets have developed the startling fact that the oh
legations entered into by know nothngs come in d-
rect conflict with the administration OF the law IN
courts of Justice We copy so much OF these pro- I
ceedngs from the Lowell Advertiser shows clearly
the practical working OF their oaths IN affecting the
credbilitv or competency of know -nothings wit |
nesses in court When the witness takes the stand
he swears that he will state !" the truth, the whole
| truth, and nothing but the truth" When asked the
question whether he is member OF a secret order.
and, as such, bound by OATH IT he answers that he
cannot testify without eliminating himself and SUBJ
iecting himself 10 punishment he Is not competent
witness IF he answers that he is such member,
ant SO bound by oath, he thereby violates the OBJ
legation of that oath and dscredlts himself as wit,
ness In either point of view the administration of
Justice is obstrncted and thwarted. his case ex-
hibits know no,hngism in an entirely new light
We have heretofore regarded 1T as an engine OF pc
ltica and religious intolerance and prescription -
The case in Massachusetts however, shows that this
was but partial view of its enormity. The neces-
~ary consequence must be. that those who attach
i themselves to the order and assume its obligations
become incompetent witnesses, and Tor The same
reason alike incompetent Jurors. No man will
feel safe when his rights are to be determined upon
testimony upon verdicts proceeding from witness
ses or jurors who bound by oaths which dlsqualI
/ fy them to act in either capacity. The result must
be, that whilst the know-nothIngs combining 10
exclude nauraIized foreigners and Roman Catholics
from the full rights of citizenship, they will exclude
themselves from the rights of witnesses and Jurors.
Thus it often happens that attempts to inct wrongs
on others recoil and overwhelm the guilty. With
out dwelling further upon the sub ect, we copy the
proceedings hich develop with such startling force
the wickedness well the dangers of know-noth-
inglsm
From the Lowell Advertiser, Oct %.
I KNOW NoTHINGS IN COURT DISCLOSURES UNDER
oATH-At the criminal term of the court of common
pleas, being held in Lowell, Bishop j. presiding,
the following enacted yesterday Friday y
The case on trial was the Commonwealth Us. Mi
chael Reardon for rape District Attorney Train for
government, B. F. Butler and Daniel Needham for
, defendant.
nc Snow, of Groton, having testified for the 20
eminent, Mr.. Butler, examination, asked
- him the following question
y Do you belong a secret society, popularity call
ed know nOthings!
Mr.. Snow having denied that he did, and stoutll
persst,ng in the denial the question put in diff
ferenl form, when he finally driven Ia the wall
and asked leave of the to consult counsel. This
& liberty politely granted by Judge Bishop, who
a gave the jury recess of ten minutes account OF
the delay.
$ ton again asked upon which he promptly re-
piled
!. cannot answer that question without eliminating
myself and subjecing myself TO punishment.
Again and again the question urged by the in
genious counsel for the defendant, every time as
u, suming some form, but being the fearful
visage this disciple of the order, until al
- last having detained the than two hours
and exhausted everybodys patience, he replied, "I
h DO"
"a Cues. How long have you belonged TO it
A. Ans About four five months
@. Is it secret society !
r A. 1t is
O. Did you take any oath or obligation in join
r, ing that society
- A. | did take obligation.
20 Q. Was it in form of oath
D A. | do not know.
l. G. How was it administered to you; did you hol
,e up your hand when it was administered
aI A. did.
y" @. Did you call upon God 10 witness the obliga
ton
A. think | did" So help me God were tn
last words.
a G. Are there different degrees in that society
d. A. There are.
tn @. How many have you taken
A. Two
VI @. Does Or. Norman Smith "a witness in this case
belong to that society
he A. have seen him al the meetings
@. Have you ever seen John A Grrdner (anothe
re witness) at the meetings of the society!
en- A. have.
in @. Have you seen Dea. John Pingree (anothe
lis wilness) at the meetings of the society?
I'm A. | have.
O. What is the form of the initiation!
he A. | shall not tell, it will crnlnate and ex
az pose me TO punishment.
90 had right protect himself IF be had taken a
oath contrary to law, he was not bound to criminal
low himself But, said Judge Bishop, this is start
.h ling revelation that take obligations in secrt
an cietes which regarded by them az of higher au
o,r thorty than those administered in this court
A. M. Gage then called. He testified, in a
frank humorous manner, that he once Joined tn
order, but left it some three months ago. Mr. Bu
led Ter called his attention to exposition of the oa
els published in the Bost Fost of October 49, which
ZEN Gage seemed to think about the kind of oat
ial administered to him. though he did not remember Ell
IN actly. From his testimony judged be had becom
disguised with the order, and exposed its with
, out any misgvings.
ne DR.. Norman Smith called.
rs: G. Do you belong to secret society opposed
hls aliens:
IN A do to a society which is calculated to exc
IT. else a political influence
Ir Q. Does it not also exercise religious influence
he A. Some think it does.
me @. Can Roman Catholic Join that society
Ca A. Not if he is foreigner.
- Q. Can EFF his is American-born citizen?
nto A. No.
It's. @. Can he if his wife is a Catholic and he Pro
is. estant?
nd a. No.
ar @. What is the object of the society?
q The doctor, drawing himself 10 his full height.
al extending in statesmanlike manner his right arr
ION replied with great eloquence ITO protect our be
Po- ~, sir !" at the me bringing his right han
with great violence, down upon the bench, and m,
- king the courthouse echo with the sound of h
Try hand we'll as the music of his voice
nm @. What is the form of initiation, and what II
:f- character OF the obligation you take =!
18th A | cannot tell
but @. Why?
-, A. Because have bound myself not to.
E,,kI 0,,