Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-08-19
From the Richmond Examiner.

We have received from subscriber, and very in
teigent friend in free State, an abstract OF the
oaths and principles of the mysterious order OF Know
Nothings, as printed below. We have the greatest
confidence in the sincerity and veracty OF our cor
respondent. We have no doubt the puoHcauon OF
these revelations will brew storm OF anger ana ex-
citement in the Councils" hereabout; but stern
in our purpose to furnish the public the whole truth
on this question, give the whole schedule to the
winds We are led to believe that has never before
been dragged before the public gaze. Having no ac-
ouantance with the proceedings of any secret order
in the heavens above, in the earth beneath, or the
waters under the earth, not prepared to say
that the things below depicted are too monstrous
for belief as they would seem to be to the honest
patriot Yet have good reason to believe that the
picture ugly and hidoous as it appears, is faithful
The writer in his accompanying letter, says OF
the new party:
and Abolitionists with sprnkilng OF bogus, anu,
Nabraska Democrats It is undoubtedly intended
NV the movers and orgpators of this new party, to
establish themselves thoroughly in all cities, towns,
VILLAGES crossroads and neighborhods preparatory
to the elections of So and carry their brothernooo
then into office. go
The present ritual of the order in this State has
come into nv hands by accident. They adopt as
few written formulse in their Councils as possiDe;
but they use pamphlet containing their snort con-
sttuton and bylaws, their method of procedure IN
initiating members, the duty of officers Instructions
to the initiated candidates of the lst "a ana 90 Ne
prees: in fact all their principles and objects. Inc
oaths it is supposed, are the same throughout Tue
limited States in Virginia well as this State; and
to aid YOU, copy all and send them to you enGios-
ed was never member OF the order; the who're
thing having been disclosed to me oy one Oh 'iier
softs. St.+o Conn
ellis subordinate may be instituted in any LOCALITY IN
a State by a Charter from the Grand Council, pre-
coded by a petition for the same from marteS' clti-
zens, who are initiated by travelling agent, They
nav SI2 receive charter and seal, and go 10 "orh.
T6ev aim at all the power-not at the balance as
YOU have been led to suppose. ,
ACKNOWLEDGMENT is opposed to the sentiments
,vb;ch :bv the aid of your Jefferson, and all your
REVOLUTIONARY men, brought these States out OF ser
vitude to independence. The ends OF hnoW-Notn-
ingism are nothing short Of sectasian power which
they will carry if necessary over sne sln o.
zens and democrats It vii never do; and this can
not fail of being Immediately apparent on the exami-
nation of their oaths and teste Is 1t right tnat "a
thoIcs and adj rted citizens should De totally pro
scribed in republican government, where all our
constitutions are most particular IN prosecuting
prescription. up What can come OF it but ahenauon
of brotherly love, prostraton OF traternal leehS'
civil war in all our Cities feuds IN our Vlages' pat
Ties on our public works, discord, anarchy, over
throw of republicanism, and arrest OF progress!
am myself in favor of the fastest and youngest Dem
ocracv and Americanism, have not the least oo)ec-
ton to your institutions at the South, ana am giu
tn see and know that the South IS equally progress
siye and thrifty with the North. hope that Kan
sas and Nebraska may both be populated by your
people and slavery be adopted in their constitutions
If the North should refuse to accept tnem MAINTAIN
your rights at the hazard of dissolution Ihough
that would be to be regretted and deplored, 1t Is
your right, and being so, should be maintained:
/ would mention that Know-Nothing Councils
that is the name their associations are known by
among themselves; as, for instance, " Ethan Allen
Council, No. "a, of the Supreme Order OF TT; "
(Know-Nothipg is for outside barbarians)- make
nominations directly, when strong enough TO eject
info hnS
ness and relation of life, their members swearing to
support q brother before all others.
ABSTRACT of the Ooths and Principles Of the nays-
terious Order Of Kno" Nothings
The candidate is first proposed, by a member OF
the Order. to the Council, without his knowledge
Three negative votes black-6t1ts him Ii elected
he is secretly requested to present hmseiI In the
ante-room of the Council, when an officer appears
from within and administers to him the following
oath:
do solemnly swearI upon this sa-
cred volume Tor cross, before Almighty God and
these Witnesses that will not divuige any 9uesSon
of this order not; IL and that will neverI under
any circumstances whatever,l mention the name oil
any person. l may see presentH during any OF the
meetings. or that know such order to be IN ex-
istenceI and that will true answer make to every
question asked of mel so help me God.
Which being seriously taken by the candidate,
the officer proceeds to PROFOUND the following inter-
rogations before reporting to the Council his fitness
far initiation:
81. What is your nameP 2. What is your ageP
g. Where is your residence? 4. In your religious
belief are you Roman Catholic? g. Where were
YOU born? 6. Where were your parents born! T.
Where were you grand parents born? 8. Did eth
er of your ancestors take part in the American
Revolution? 3. Are you willing to use all the lnfu-
ence YOU possess in favor of native born American
citizens for all offices of honor trust profit in
the gift of the people; and do you promise to vote
for them to the exclusion of all aliens and foreigners
and Roman Catholics in particular, for all local,
Co.. kaHIo hn wife U0n
be present on this occasion?"
IF the candidates answers satisfactory to these
questions he is taken into the Council by two OIL
GERS, led up to the President of the Council, who
administers the following oath in the list Degree:
"I--voluntarily and freely do solemnly
promise and swear, before Almighty God and these
witnesses around me assembled that will not, I'M
der any circumstances whatever, divulge or make
known to any person persons, either directly or
indirectly, TO any human being other than those
/ shall know to be good and true members of this
Order, the name, secrets, mysteries, objects OF
the same, or cause allow the same to be done by
others, if within my power to prevent the same.
Binding myself under the no less penalty than that
of being communicated from the Order, and hav-
ing my name posted and circulated throughout the
different Councils of the Order as traitor and per-
jurer to both my God and country, and as being
unworthy to be employed, entrusted, countenanced,
or supported in any business transaction whatever,
and as person totally unworthy of the confidence
of all good men, and one at whom the finger of
that if should hereafter be expelled from, vol
unfairly leave the Order, will consider this obga-
ton binding out of it in it. All of which fore
going voluntarily and freely subscribe tn helm