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

ISAAC RAwsON.
W. B. GARDNER.
JAS. ". BLACK.
Hon. L. S. May.
Mr.. May remarked that the Order from which
this emanated did all in its power to defeat his
return to this House, If the vote Of the town
was to be regarded rs proof Of the fact and
yet it assumed to instruct him on this question.
He wished here to protest against this attempt
ed dictation. He desired to stand here as a
freeman, at liberty to vote as he saw fit He
designed to act as such, in defiance of factions
or cliques at home. His position was distinct
ly understood by his constituents at large when
they cast their votes. He was not questioned
on this subject 1t was unnecessary. He was
voted for by the bone and sinew of his district
as Seward Wing. AS such he should vote on
this floor, disregarding all communications
like these from such sources.
Mr.. Baker said:
will proceed to the discussion of the main
question, which purpose to bring to the no.
tice of this House, namely, the parallel between
the oath required to be taken by the Jesuit and
that required to be taken by the Hindoo branch
of the Know Nothngs.
And here, sir, | will say to the leaders of the
Know Nothings in this House, if they can. they
may deny the genuineness or authenticity OF
what am about to read /; but if they do deny
1T, desire them to remember that mere denial
Is not proof; and as they have the means to
prove 1t forgery or fraud, if it be so, by pro-
ducing and reading in evidence the true and
genuine Know Nothing OATH If they fail to
do so, | shall take it for granted that they can.
not successfully deny it-and that what read
is true Know Nothing oath. make this
challenge, and offer, sir, before / proceed to
read, that any honorable gentleman who can
deny 1T, may have the opportunity-for / do
not wish to mlsrepresent this matter; and if /
am wrong, | wish to be put right-for it is a
very material point in this controversy.
will read, sir, the oaths, for it seems thew
have two-one for each degree in this beautiful
school of virtue and purity: You and each OF
you, of your own free will and accord, in the
presence of Almighty God and these witnesses
| your right hand resting on this Holy Bible and
| Cross, and your left hand toward Heaven in
| token OF your sincerity, do solemnly promise
and swear that you will not make known to
any person or persons, any of the signs, secrets.
mysteries, objects, of this organization, unless
it be to those whom, after due examination or
lawful information, you shall find to be mem
bers OF this organization in good standing; that
| You will not cut, carve, print, paint, stamp
stain, or in any way, directly or Indirectly, eI.
pose any OF the secrets or objects of this Order
| nor suffer it to DO done by others, if in you1
power to prevent it, unless it be for official in
| struction; that so long as you are connected
with this organization, if not regularly dis
missed from it, you will in all things, political
or social, so far as this Order is concerned
comply with the will of the majority when ex
| pressed In lawful manner, though it may con
| fiict with your personal preference, so long as
| it does not conflict with the Grand, State Oh
Subordinate Constitutions, the Constitution OF
| the United States of America, or that of the
| State in which you reside; and that you will
not, under any circumstances whatever, know
ingly recommend an unworthy person for initia
ton, nor suffer it to be done if in your power
to prevent it. You furthermore promise and
declare, that you will not vote for nor give YOU
influence for any man, for any office in the gift
OF the people, unless he be an American-borr
citizen In favor of American-born citizens ru
ling America nor if he be Roman Catholic
and that you will not, under any circumstances
expose the name of any member of this Order
| nor reveal the existence of such an organiza
ton.
ITO all the foregoing you bind yourself, under
| the no less penalty of that of being expelled
| from this Order, and of having your name
posted and circulated throughout the different
councils of the United States, as a periurer. and
as = traitor to God and your country, as being
unfit to be employed, intrusted, countenanced
or supported, in any business transactions, as
person totally unworthy the confidence of al
good men, and as one at whom the finger Of
scorn should ever be pointed-so help you
God"
Sir, it is complained against the Jesuit, that
he surrenders up to his superior his personal
right to think, act and speak, for himself
Admit it for the sake of this argument. But
what sir, is the character of this oath? have Just
read to you that the party is required to sweal
of his own free viii that he "will in all things
political or Social so far as this Order is con
+! csrnsd, comply with the will Of ths naioutg