Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-08-18


sovereign independence
IA gentleman in the crowd-Mr. Green-inter-
rupted and asked Mr.. Stephens if he had read the
Admonitions given in charge, after the obligation
taken just referred to by him.
Mr. Stephens-I have read the obligation, and
the whole of it. What follows in the ceremony of
Initiation, l intend to read What the gentleman
calls the Admonitions comes after the third degree
l expect. That will to after while if my
strength to speak so long will permit. This is the
ceremony which follows intation into the first de-
gree. But one word to the concluding part of
this oath.
Binding yourself in the penalty of excommuni-
cation from the Order the forfeiture of all intercourse
with its members and being denounced in all the
societies of the same wilful traitor to your God
and your country"
Now who commissioned you, or any of you to
denounce any man as a traitor to his God or his
country" Whence is your authority derived p
w hat Star Chamber Court, worse than Spanish In
QUESTION, ever gave you such power your fell
low citizens? But what follows is in these words:
"The candidates are then invested by the Instruct
tor with everything apperaining to the first degree,
with the signs, countersigns and passwords, with
the " sign of recognition )" the answer" and tie
"grp," with the means by which public notice of
meeting is given, the "cry of Distress" and ''sgn
of caution - after which the President impresses on
the initiated the Importance of seeresy, the
of proceeding in recommending candidates for nita-
ton, and the responsibility of the duties which they
have assumed"
A part of this, it is true, may be considered adj
monitory but the most of relates to the signs and
countersigns, the pass words and the grip" with
the signs of caution" and the cry of Distress"
all of which the new disciple neophyte is given
to understand he is bound to respond to- unless il
be, physically impossible"-and under which #
some worthy brother aboftonist at the North
should out here, and be taken up and be about
to be lynched, as he ought to be, he would conf
IDENTIFY expect to be protected, if there were any
members of the Order about For the "cry of dis
tress" must, under the obligation be responded to-
"unless it be physically impossible" Is that the
admonition the gentleman wanted read?
Mr.. Green again interrupted, and was understood
by MIR. S. to say, if he expected be sustained by
the people of Columbia county he had better make
no points with him.
Mr. s. continuing, said: My object, sill, is not to
make points with you, or any other man. Tits to
present to the people here the principles of party,
which l think radically wrong, exceedingly misehe-
vous and dangerous the Republic This I shall
do without any reference to- the effect it may have
upon my being sustained either by you, by the
people of Columbia county, without any regard
to the effect it may have either upon your vote
your influence. have no soft phrases honeyed .
words to UTTER, either to gam your vote Or that of
others. l am on no mealy -meuthed expedition in
addressing the people of this District. shall speak
respectfully but ly-candidly but podiys let
the consequences be what they may. Il ask no ia
vors and shall shrink from no responsibility" A
who would t1ateF the people get office, would
under different circumstances; lick the dust from
the foot Of a monarch for the same object. AS L
would to do the last equally scorn to do the
and positions in this particular before proceed
ing further and so far my election is concerned
do not intend to Swerve.the sixteenth thousand
part of hairs breadth from my principles and my
OF duty, to get any mans vote. am |
quite as independent you are, and think more |
so, for have not sworn to comply with the will of
any set of men against my oWn-whether you have |
or not, is known yourself |
Should be elected; Tshan fee not only grateful I
for, but gratihed at the continued confidence ofthe
people of the District. But if by the exercise of I
their own free will-uutramneled unshackled,
Or under tranmels and shackles, voluntarily
On their part assumed and Worn they signify the
polls preference for another, shall not utter a
nurmur From that independent spirit with which (
was born, and with which am this day sustained
shall at my quiet home draw, in defeat, more
pleasure, peace and cOntentment than success with
III its honors could possibly afford if attended with
consciousness that they had been acquired by the
slightest sacrifice of principle. | have selfish or
renal terms to offerN accept by which shall
lold Office. Had been base enough to enter into
stipulatiens, as some have reported, they know
Tery well where l could have got it upon much bet
er " terms than those | choose to stand upon be-
ore YOU My terms are those-of independent
reenan-unawed by power. unseduced by tlattery,
md mcorruptible by the rewards of office or " the
ropes thereof" If you your party had the world
n a swing, and all its kingdoms at your disposal,
md were to offer the whole Of them to me- as Satan
lid Christ on the condition that should bow down
md worship at your unholy- shrine, l would spurn
our proffered honors. This 1 wrote to one who
'rofessed to be friend, and who presented the
emptation of silence. This say to you'll shall
lever be silent when believe my country is in dan
er. No, never! If for this you strike down,
trke me down!