The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-15

tnOugn IL may CONNECT Win MS personal prefer
ence demanding from the outset, of theil
members, an absolute and servile surrender o
their own free will and choice.
But, sir, / will now pass from this brief review
of the first lesson in the Know Nothing creed
of mor&s and politics, and read the platform
of those who, by their faithful adherence to the
first oath, have entitled themselves to the honor
of second and higher step in the same diree
ton and here again, sir, call upon the high
priests of this exemplary band of men to deny
if they can, that what / am about to read is moi
the form and substance of their oath. But re
member, as they have the evidence to contra
dict it. if not, if they do not produce it and read
it to this House, they must abide by the lega
inference from the fact in the ease, to wit, that
they cannot prove this document spurious by
producing the genuine to contradict it. | vii
proceed to read it, as follows:
You and each of you, of your own free viii
and accord, in the presence of Almighty God
and these witnesses, your left hand resting or
your right breast, and your right hand extend
ed to the flag of your countes, do solemnly and
sincerely swear that you will not, under any
circumstances, disclose in any manner, nor suf
fer it to be done by others, if in your power to
prevent it, the name, sign, passwords, or Other
secrets of this degree; that you will in all thing:
conform to all the rules and regulations of this
Order, and to the constitution and bylaws o.
this or any other Council to which you may be
attached, so long as they do not conflict with
the Constitution of the United States, nor o.
the State in which you reside; that you will
under all circumstances if in your power so to
do, attend to all regular signs and summonses
that may be shown or sent to you by brother
of this or any other degree of this Order; that
III Il g. Ill
political Offices, the second degree members Of
this Order, provided it be necessary for the
American interests that if it may be done L.
gally, you viii, when elected to any Office, re-
move all foreigners, aliens, or Roman Catholics,
from Office, and that you will not appoint such
to office-all this you promise and declare, on
your honor as Americans, to sustain and abide
by, without any hesitation or mental reserva-
ton whatever, SO help you God, and keep you
stedfasr."
One word Of comment, sir, upon this oath:
1t, like the first one, requires that its mem
bers shall, of their own free will" swear to
conceal even the name of the Order; and of
course must, if asked the question, either lie, or
break their oath. If they break their oath,
they must lose their standing in this virtuous
body. If they perpetrate falsehood, and keep
their promise, then they are entitled to remain
in good standing, and enjoy all the rights and
privileges of the Order. VIII anybody tell me
what there is in Jesuitism so low and base and
depraved and corrupt as this
Has the world ever witnessed, at any time or
in any age, in the creed of any class, sect, des-
pot, tyrant, Or bandit, principle more subver.
sive of honor, rights, equality, and mental and
moral liberty, than this requisition in the
F" Know Nothing" oath, pledged before God as
a witness that they will ignore and deny what
they know-sworn, sir, that to keep secret the
name or object of this organization, or even its
existence, or the name of any of its members,
they will perpetrate falsehood to do it; and
" with their left hand resting on their heart,
and their right hand extended to the flag of
country" invoke that sacred emblem of Ameri-
can liberty to witness their moral debasement
and mental prostitution.
Sir, while am on this subject of the 90 first
families" / desire to draw brief parallel be-
tween the "higher law " doctrine of William H.
Seward and that of the Hindoo" or first
family" order of Know Nothings William 81.
Seward believes it to be the duty of all human
legislatures to make their laws in conformity
with the laws of Him in "whom we live and
have our being" "who breathed into US the
breath of life" the tenure of which is in His
hands.
But this branch of the Know Nothing" Or
der believe in taking oaths to practice deceit
and falsehood-to prescribe and prosecute men
for conscience sake, although our Constitution
has guaranteed "the free exercise and enjoy
ment of religious profession, without discrimna-
ton or preferences" yet they bind themselves
by their oaths to make discrimination and pref
erence againsaohe Catholics, whether of Amer
lean or foreign birth this oath or obligation is
their higher law" to them it is higher than
the Constitution of the United States or of the
State of New York; This, sir, is one of the
great institutions" of the " first families that
" Sam is so ardsntly in love with.
Sir, while in this connection, cannot let the
illusions which have been made to the Speak
or pass by without single remark And first,
sir, | was surprised to hear the gentleman from
Westchester Mr.. Waterbury and the gentle
man from New York Mr.. Petty attack the
Speaker, on the ground of his "higher law" af-
fnities, when they themselves each and both
acknowledge the dominant authority of the
" Know Nothing OATH" or obligation, over their
own minds, to such an extent that they dare
not tell me who their candidate for Senator
is-but will say, don't know.
ask the question, dare any of the fraterni-
ty tell? No one answers, and no one dare an
swer, because they are under "higher law"
higher, sir, in their judgment, than truth and
candor. And, sir, again say it is refreshing
to see some men in this body capable of rising
above the binding oath of the Order, to deceive
and conceal the truth from the gaze of all
men but in reply to the charge implied in the
illusions l can say, and think from good au-
thority, that the Speaker never belonged to the
order of Hindoos in Oswego, but that his ad-
versary got them to adopt him as their candi
date, and gave him their support.
Mr.. Rickerson said: AS was about to COM
mence my remarks, a letter was handed to me,
which | had not then time to Open | have
since perused it, and l wish to read it. to show
the infamous character of the efforts which are
being made to defeat Mr.. Seward, and to con-
troll the action of members in this House. IVA
rious objections were made, but dozen voices
moved that he be permitted to
read, and the permission was granted Mr. r.
read as follows:
CArsKILL, January, 1855.
DEAR SIR AND BROTHER: regret to hear
that you have made application for withdraw
al card from your c.. / am pleased to
hear, however, that your application was not
granted.
learn, moreover, that you are pledged, and
was, previous to election or your nomination,
to vote for William II. Seward
Now, l hope that / am misinformed, and
that you will be true to the sacred obligation
you have taken and promises you made to me !;
but If you are not, you will not be permitted to
withdraw from your c., but you will be expell-
ed and notice sent to every c. in this State
(some 1900 in number) of your expulsion; and
reasons why, namely, for being a traitor and a
perjurer, and not to be trusted in any transac.
ton; and more than this, our members swear
they will burn you in efigy in every village in
the county, if you do not prove true.
Now, these are not mere threats to be for
gotten but will be carried out to the very letter.
Now, l sincerely hope you will prove yourself a