The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-08-23

As he has now no poor relations to need
his assistance, he seeks out objects oil
ioharity and delights in doing them good.
He still persists in. retaining his abrup,
manner and in using his favorits exclama.
ton; "Humbug!' He is At peace with
the world, always excepting old Grudge
the lawyer, whom he considers it pfin-
Iciple 10 hate, and his name is associated
with multitude Of benevolent acts.
Know-Nothings.
| The following abstract says the Wheel
ling Argus Of the oaths and principles oi
the Know No,hings we find in the Rich
mond Examiner. The editor says that he
received it from an intelligent friend in q
free State, and that he has the greatest
confidence in the sincerity and veracity oi
his correspondent. We place it before our
readers and ask tor il careful reading.
We would that every democrat and patriot
in the State and out Of it, could be put in
tpsssession of the awful and reasonable
Ioaths that are administered to and sub.
scribed by persons initiated to the several
] degrees OF the order, and let them con.
slider OF the movement that is on foot to
subvert the principles upon which our in
stitutions are founded. Toleration is no,
Recognized in the oreed. Liberali,y is no,
known to it. Republicanism is disavowed
by il. Sectarian bigotry is cherished by
il. Race is made to war with race by il.
Midnight forays are instig gated by it. Mobs
are hatched by irs incubation. Jealousies
are incissd by lis teachings. Prescription
I - 1e -. *
gated evil.
ABSTRACT Of the Oaths and Principles Of
the mysterious Order. of Kno,c- Moth.
ings.
The candidate is. FIRST proposed, by a
member of the Order. 10 the Council, with.
out his knowledge. Three negative votes
black-balls him. II elected, he is secret.
ly requested 10 present himself in tho anti
room OF the Council. whom an officer ap-
pears from within and admiaisters to him
the following oath: ~
| 81 do solemniy swearI upon
this sacred volume Tor cross before Al.
mighty God and these witne esses II that
will not divulge any question proposed to
mo here, whether / become a memberl
Of this order or aot; and that / will neverl
under any circumstances whatever,I II men,
tion the name Of amy personH mag see
PresentH during any Of the meetings.A or
that Iknoso such an order to be in existence, I
| and that will true answer make 10 eve-
ry question asked Of NEIL so help me
God.'' -
Which being seriously taken by the
candidate, the officer proceeds to pro.
pound the following inierrogations, before
reporting to the Council his fitness for initi-
alton: IS ;. l
81. What is your name? 2. What
is your ago? 8. Where is your resi-
dence? 4. In your religious belief are
you Roman Catholic? s. Where were
you boEn2 6. Where were your parents
born? Z. Where were your grand pa.
rents born? 8. Did either Of your anoes.
tors take part in the American, Revolu.
tion2 9. Are you wiling 10 use all the
influence you possess in favor of native
born American citizens, for all Offices Of
honor, trust or profit in the gift Of the peo.
pie; and do you promise TO vote for them
to the exclusion Of all aliens and foreign
ers, and Roman Catholics in particular.
for al local, State or Government officers?
10. Who invited you. TO be present on
this occasion!" ase a58 asis.ssg gc
If the candidates answers are satisfac.
tory to these questions, he is taken into
the Council by two officers. led up to the
President Of the Council, who administers
the following oath in the lst Degree:
"I,s---, voluntarily and freely do
solemniy promise and swear, before Al
rusuhtu GoA nnA tha~n En- a..>.
me assembled, that will not, under any
circumstances whatever, divulge or make
known to any person or persons, either d.
rectly or indirectly. or to any human be-
ing other than those I shall know. to be
good and true mem6ers Of this Order, the
name, secrets, Mysteries, or objects of the
same, or cause or allow the same 10 be
done by others, if within my power to
prevent the same. Binding myself under
the no less penalty than that Of being sex.
communicated from the Order. and having
my name posted and circulated through
out the different Councils Of the Order, as
q traitor and perjufer TO both my God and
country. and as being unworthy 70 be
employed, entrusted. .countenanced, ,or sup.
ported in any business transaction what
ever. and as . person totally unworthy the
confidence Of all good men, and one at
whom the finger Of scorn shall ever be
pointed. furthermore promise that If 1
should hereafter be expelled from, or vol
unfairly leave this Order. will consider
this obligation as binding out Of il as in
| ii. All ioi which foregoing I voluntarily,
and freely subscribe TO. so help me Code
! The candidate is then led to an officer
called the Judge Advocats, who harangues
him after this manner. There is gener-
ally half . dozen or more initiatsd to-
gether :.
"My Brothers: The Order which has
now received you as Members, may with
all propriety be considered Secret Or.
ganization. Il ID so secret in fact, that
II you were placed before legal tribunal,
and there sworn to tell the truth. you could
| not for your lives reveal the nanne Of that
band of brothsrs. among whom your name
lpow stspds earollsd; and issshet sAsa