The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-10-30
A NEW SECRET ORDER.
THE oArHs AND 0BLIGATIONs-A NEW VERSION or
Know NOTHlEGISM. &C., &C..

THE OATHS AND OBLl6ATIONS-A NEW VERSION
Know NOrHlNGIsM, &C., &C.,
pamphlet, OF which the following Is q copy was
lately sent to through the penny post We give
curiosity Of literature, and await explanation. 1t
seems to be formula of initiation in some secret
society
INITIATION.
The s. at A. having announced that a candidate or
candidates in waiting for initiation brothers of
the council with the Chaplain win proceed to the ante
room for his or their examination, whom Of the
brothers will address follows
You have been presented as citizens (or citizen)
desirous in being honored by admission to membership
OF the American Order Of the Sons Of the Republic Is
brother win continue 1T then 5 becomes cor our duty to
inquire il you believe in the Dcity-the Supreme Ruler
Of the in the truth and inspiration Of the
Holy Bible ~ IAN answer In the Affirmative being
given, the brother will continue.)
You have thus far answered satisfactorily you must
obligation OF strict secresy to all that
may transpire during this examination and your inita
ton, before you be admitted to order Are you
willing to dos" If answered afirmativcly, the Chap
lain will present the Bible (open) to the candidate who,
placing his right hand thereon will then take the fol-
lowing obligaton:-sI do soennly swear that will
keep secret all that may transpire during my examna
ton initiation previous to my becoming member Of
the order Of the Sons Of the Republic further solemn
y swear that will well and truly all inquiries
that may be made Of me having reference to my qua
cations to become member of said order; and further
r aseaGs % and w that ts sna Obligation %
parts and whole, will conform to it, without equivo
cation, mental reservation or falsehood To this
solemnly swear SO help me Cod"
You will then answer me,
LIST care you BY birthrgsht an American ctzens"
practice or beliefs"
3D. .'Do you, under the solemn obligation of your
oath deny that you owe hold any allegiance obedi.
duty towards the Pope Of the See at Rome to
the church assumed to be controlled by him as its
supreme head and authority upon earth ~
4th. "Do you declare upon the sacredness OF your
OATH the presence of the Supreme Being that you
are not at this time, nor ever have been member or
Of Jesus, of Saint Augustine, of St. Joseph any
ciety whatsoever having for its purpose the aiding
ssng advancement Of the interests supremacy of
the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope at Rome, or any
Of the cardinals, archbshops, priests any officer Of
the church of which the Pope to be the head ~
If answered afhrmativcly the Chaplain and brothers
will retire and report" satisfactorily answered. and
the President will ask Of the Council Are any obec
tions now made the initiation Of the candidate (or
candidates 2'') If made by the brotherhood
the S. at A. will be instructed to proceed to introduce
the candidate he Chaplain having first been placed in
the centre Of the with the Bible open before him.
The s. at A. will give alarm at the wicket when the
brother in charge will inquire
To which the s. at A. win reply:
brother and stranger, Cor strangcrs) who seek
Inquiry" Why doth he (or they) seek to become
thus associated with order?"
Reply" To serve God, our country, and our fellow
men. ~
Inquiry" How know we this pn
Reply" by my voucher brother; and by the pass
claim admission. -
Requirement. Giveitln
The at A. will then give the pass word Of the degree
in whisper and then be admitted with the initiate or
ntiates and proceed to present him (or them) to the
Vice President, as follows
$. at A" Worthy vice-Prcsident, present to you
sumo the obligations Of brotherhood. !" The Vice.
President will reply 1t is WE'LL" then rise and address
Citizen / greet YOU You are thrice welcome here;
as freeman as countryman, and as brother As
freeman to serve your Maker as countsyman to pro
to your fellow Thus Is institution founded
upon The impssislssas principals Of truth, Of liberty,
Truth requires your unwearying perseverance, in the
service Of God. Liberty demands your patriotic devotion
calls for your aid for the oppressed and your assistance
for the unfortunate and distressed
We these duties to God to country, the
~ OF our sires and our countrymen and lastly to
fellow throughout the world The objects Of
institution are briefly these =
ssting the influence of ignorant bgoted Foreigners
and to guard the civil and religious rights of the Amer
Of the Romish Church to establish power that would
ut proclaim liberty lost to the American people,
and assert the infaliby of an ntoerant religious faith
I'd. To aid assist and protect each other country
men, and as brothers IN holy and patriotic work.
With these. objects thus frankly declared, you
still desirous to become one OF our brotherhood?
or answered afirmatively, the s. at A. viii place
the candidate before the chaplain in proper position
being Ineens WIN the right hand resting ON tho Holy
Bible, and the left appraised towards heayen.)
The President wiz then say;-You are now about to
keep you faithful taits duties. The Chaplain will now
proceed
In the presence Of the true and ever living God and
t w we Td Sv y
wards brethren OF the Order Of the Sons Of the Re-
public and that will keep sacred and secret all the
proceedings Of said ORDER and any nd oyery portion
thereof, from all persons except such as shall know
membership with the brotherhood good and regular
standing; aud further declare and sole nnnly
that win not knowingly vote for, appoint or elect any
person of foreign birth, Ro man Catholic to any
sean goyerpmss7t "a and further declare and swear
and destroy the influence Of foreigners and Of Roman
Catholics ID the standardization the government of the
United States and in any and all parts thereof both
"To ali thM, . free and voluntary obligation on my
part without reservation or equiyocation, that
me Godp'
After having assumed the obligation, the President
will address the brotier on his being member, as fol-
"Brother-Asa member of this sacred and patriotic
order It will become your duty dssd all personal
predictions in the service Of your country in order
that the corrupt and evil influences Of party and Of
foregners may be eectually combated and destroyed
and here il viii be understood that while it may be
commended that the members of order shall unite
the Recommendation emanatng from the constituted
authorities Of the order-sti II such recommendation
shall be in violation Of conscientious discharge Of the
duties Of freeman, you not bound to obey the
recommendation except far may be in accordance
with your obligation, having reference to persons Of
forcisk birth and Of Roman Catholics.
.Tr national Independence Of country, established
BY the blood; sucrngs and sacrifices of the patriots of
the Revolution gave to the American people national
ity and q right to self government, and under the
republican government erected by them became
The nhertors Of the blessings, the enjoyment of civil
and religious lberty-.liberty unknown to man in
other parts Of the world 1t is not to DO supposed
that in the making Of laws for the American people the
founders Of this republic contemplated that they
we're egsatng for others than American citizens by
natural right, such might become citizens by the
generosity Of American laws and It is absurd to claim
that aliens have or become possessed Of any
civil right the American people may deem proper to enact
shall be vested alone in the native born. From this
right Of the American people to create government and
to make and alter laws for their government 1t be-
comes tho peculiar duty Of every American citizen by
brthrght to watch over the institutions OF our coun
md to resist by every means, all influences that
may tend to corrupt the purity Of nationality SUBJ
vert and destroy the institutions of our republic.