Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-10-14

holy cause which unites u.s.
Id. We enJoin upon you, brothers, by all that is
precious TO the patriot and by all that is sacred
your obligations the utmost circumspection in the
observance OF those pledges which you have given,
before God and man. to maintain nyiolate the myss
teries of the order 1t were immeasurabiy wrong to
suppose that any one of you could incur the with
ering curse that visits. - @z.&e
So Whose treason, like deadly blight,
Creeps Ger the councils of the brave s.,-
To blast them in their hour of might.
BUT IF THE PLEDGES HERE TAKEN WERE
SACREDLY OBSERVED, THE VERY EXIS-
TENCE OF OUR ORDER WOULD BE UN.
TENcE Is IT'S MOST VITAL CHARACTERS
TIC, ESSENTIAL TO IT'S EFFICIENCY FOR
THE GREAT. THE HOLY TASK TO WHICH
ITS ENERGIES ARE DEDICATED; for ten true
men, with the aid of secrecy, would be effec-
tive than an Unbound band of thousand boasting
mystery which, sohea boosted, is mystery no Ion
ger. THE EXPOSURE ALREADY MADE OF
OUR MYSTERIES BETRAYS SOMEWHERE A
FIENDISH TREASON AND PERJURY OR A
WOMANISH WEAKNESS. Whatever the cause,
the fault must be aaaended The order must be pre-
served at any cost at any sacrifice; and by cost
mean not treasure, for millions cannot heal the
wounds of honor; and by sacrifice we speak not of
suffering, for the agonies Of century would not
tirpate this wrong to the cause of our country. WE
REPEAT, THE ORDER MUST AND SHALL BE
the most solemn suspicious, and guarded caution in
admissions.
Beware, then, for the evil once done WILDE ir-
rcparable. Nor is discretion much less indispensa
bic than integrity. The admission of men feeble of
intellect or purpose and lack of speech, not only
enfeebles and degrades your councils and action,
but involves the certainty of eventual exposure and
ruin For the honor of your patriot ancestors, for
the sake of your Cod your country and your cause,
we invoke and enioin you, be heedful and wary of
this peril or ruin will inevitably fall our heads
Sd. We consider it our duty to impress upon your
setres the solemn and aefaI nature Of the obligations
aohich render tooseness Of speech Eyhtness Of car
rage dashonor and a crime Those obligations
were, 1t should be remembered voluntary. Can any
human being who trihes with such oath, who
draSs the Deity from His throne to trample and spit
upon Him, hope for moment of happiness here,
or expect an exemption from eternal torture hereaf
ter! If there were God to ayenge such perjuries
an outraged conscience would dog the perjured mis-
creant to the gallows and the grave. But if even
these considerations should prove Intellectual to alarm
the dishonored coward recreant and traitor let him
remember that in rupturing or in trifing with the
awful tie which binds him to tens of thousands of
gallant men, equally bound with himself, he makes
each man of those thousands HIS MORTAL FOE.
Let ham, then haze care, aceakly suppose that
he can escape the THUNDERBOLT that must pursue
him: Not only will infamy hiss him from ten thou
may, We will track his steps. He will be surroun-
ded with circle of fire. Too late too late will the
lost and ruined wretcd realize the ruthless retribu
ton that rewards the traitor, the miscreant, who
crawls, like the serpent the serpent's brother,
into the bosoms of brave and noble to sting
them with his treason and yet dares to hope any
other fate than LIFE of torture and death Of shame
ellis wing shall the vulture flap
Der the fase-hearted;
His warm blood the wolf shall lap,
Ere life be parted;
Shame and dishonor sit
On his grave ever;
blessings shall hallow it
Never, no, never
Never, never, never
Finally, brothers, in regard to the outrage COM
mtted v the exposure referred to, would inform
you that measures will be adopted such the occas
ion demands and would state that the duty of
each brother will be performed by remembering, in
all the occasions in life that the Individual the jour
nal, the society," that seeks to wrong order is
to be regarded classcd among those whom to aid,
encourage befriend, is treason to your brothers
and wrong to your country"