Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-09


gated to him for the purposes justice and equity,
to the end of gain or qualification Of petty or par
ty malice. And who can say this disregard Of most
sacred obligations is caused by familiarity with the
common oath Of Office, familiarity which engen-
ders disregard or contemptf Who win not rather
say il is caused by Offices Of trust and emolument
being too often now considered and used as the re-
ward of party service and partisan demagoguism,
rather than being bestowed on men for their ster-
ling integrity, and unwavering support of truth,
justice, and their countrys honor and welfare.
And now let US examine little into the prac-
tical application" which the Sentinel wishes to
make of his remarks on oatt-taking.
The reader, and particularly the conscientious
Know-Nothing reader" is invited to apply them
to the alleged constitution of that order.
The question Of the allowability Of the oath
being settled by the admissions OF the editor, and
our own remarks the one of eIpedency remains
to be disposed Of All extensive party organiza
tons must necessarily embrace men of every va
riety Of mind and opinion upon the subjects of
social and party obligations Thus one man win
say he is under no obligation to do all in his power
to promote the harmony Of the neighborhood in
which he has his home, because he is under no
promise to do SO, forgetful, or never having sup
posed that in establishing himself there, he virtu
ally assumed an individual responsibility for the
good order and well being Of the community
Anothernever havingbeen taught by reasoning and
reflection that promise made coolly and with de-
liberation, should be as binding as oath, yet Is
a man who would look on perjurer as the most
detestable Of mankind. A third looks upon a
promise as sacred and not to be violated without
mourning the severest censure Of man, and the
just vengeance Of an offended Deity.
The two former may deem an oath necessary for
the wellbeing Of the party to which they belong
The latter feels that for him this Is not necessary
but owing to the education and views of the Others
certain form Of oath is proper, and, as he does
not wish others to think that he prides himself
upon his promise being as good as their oath,
they mutually agree that all who become members
Of the party shall swear to be governed by its reg
ulations.
Now, admitting the extracts from the Know
question, "What say the Methodist, the Episco
paan, and Presbyterian to this?" They will tell
him that the Word Of God and the Discipline of
| their several churches sanction oath-taking in
matters Of weight and moment" and that the
authority derived from them by the Federal Coun-
Gil Ito impose the obligation) is lawful authority
contravening no law of the land nor the discipline
of their churches.
The Sentinel says othe oath may array man
against his duty to the State" Suppose MUIR
der should take place in councils" No danger of
~ NJ I e. u Il
that 4" Sam keeps his boys in excellent order,
and that the utmost good order and unanmity
prevails among them in Old Virginia. Possibly,
the editor wants to make Sans" acquaintance
himself, but is prevented from endeavoring to do
so by the fear of becoming arrayed against the
State rs referred to in his above quoted suppose
ton. Whether the writer is or is not member
Of the organization in question, has little to do
with the present discussion; but, believing its in
tentions to be pure and its to be dictated
by an ardent and never.to-be -shaken devotion to
the Union, he will try and show the editor of the
Sentinel that he need not fear being arrayed
against the State, even in the event OF murder
in council unless, indeed he should be 30 unfortu-
nate as to do the deed he fears HIMSELF for, as
witness, he may tell the "whole truth" Let us
take his suppostion for granted. murder has
been committed Gin council and he being " a
member" has seen 1t done in due course Of time
he is brought before court as witness, and swears
to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth" Now, does he promise, in so do
ing TO tell of the rise Of the order of Know Moth
ings, of the council Of which he is member, what
caused him to join, and answer every question Gu
riosty or impertinence may suggest to the lawyers
to ask him. such as how many members are theres
What are their names &c. Certainly not well,
what then does he promise to dof
The witness promises to tell the truth, In refer
ence to the crime alleged against the prisoner go as
to meet the ends Of justice, the requirements of
the law, and to discharge his duty in the case to
God and man, screening no one from justice, and
yet condemning no man by being too positive in
statements, where doubts exist on his own mind.
After detailing the circumstances Of the case tell
ing in what house the parties were &C., the prose-
cutting lawyer asks what was the character of
that meetingS" Answer: political. Name some
Of the persons PRESENT. Witness does So Was
it council Of Know-NothingsS Are you and the
prisoner membersg Do you not in becoming
members, take an oath of secrecy, and does not
that oath bind you to defeat the aims Of justice in
such case as the present. by refusing to tell the
truth where II may convict a member Of your
orders These questions witness refuses to answer
on the plea Of their being irrelevant, and prompt
ed by idle curiosity. The lawyer appeals TO the
judge to compel you to do so stating that as you
have made some very extenuating statements,
and both you and the prisoner are suspected of
belonging to the Know-Nothing order, he wishes
to find out whether such is the case, and If SO,
whether, in virtue Of your obligation 70 the ORDER
you do not intend to screen the prisoner from
justice, regardless Of your duty to society and the
laws of the land, reminding the judge that IL this
can be established you are an incompetent witness
You say, "may II please the court, am ready TO
swear that do not belong TO any order or society
which does in any way conflict with the laws Of the
land, and am as free and always have been to
meet the demands of justice, to condemn the