The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-09-01
For b. NashvIIIe. acc NhIg.


The Word Social"
Ma. EDIroR:-As much has been said, and Is be-
Ing said about the word 'socia," which is stated to
have been used in the old Ritual of the Know Moth
ing organization, but which was omitted in the
new" or revised Ritual, it may be well to know
the correct definition of the word, so as to avoid
the confusion of any ambiguity that may be thrown
around it in the zeal of political contest.
The connection of the word as said TO be used in
the pledge of the old Ritual, is fOIIows-accord-
ing to the expostions published in the opposition
papers:
"That as long as you are connected with this or
ganization If not regularly dismissed from it, you
will in all things, political social, so far as this
order is concerned, comply with the win Of the ma
jority, when expressed in a lawful manner, though
it may conflict with your personal preference, so
long it does not conflict with the Grand, State or
Subordinate constitutions, the Constitution of the
United States Of America, or that of the State in
which you reside"
1t viii be seen here, with what safe restrictions
the words "social" and political" guarded from
abuse whatever latitude may be given to their sig
MITIGATION.
But it is unquestionably owing to very errone-
SSAoe-NS~AS-
has been put upon the word 'socisl," that SO much
unnecessary talk upon both sides has been expend-
ed in regard to it,
According to this construction, the word social"
has been warped by the opposition so as to convey
the idea Of individual, personal, selfish, &c. as
though the members Of the Order had committed
themselves in the pledge to carry out selfish or vi
cious objects, should they be forced upon them by
the majority, Notwithstanding the glazing nconsis-
tency of any such construction with the whole tenor
Of the obligation
Let us then see what is the true and faithful
meaning Of the word in question. In Webster's
Quarto Dictionary we find it defined as follows:
''SocIAL.-l. Pertaining TO society; relating to
men living in society, or to the public as an aggre-
gate body 2. Ready or disposed to mix in friendly
converse 8. Consisting in union or mutual con-
verso. T. Disposed to unite in society Syn
Sociable; companonabe; eonversible; friendly; Ia
miliar; communicative; conViVial; festive"
Worcester, who was the editor Of Webster's
work, and whose authority as photographer, is at
least not inferior to that of Webster himself, thus
defines the word:
'Soc1AL-Relating to a general or public inter
est relating to society; inclined to associate with
others; companionable convertible; familiar; soci
able; consisting in union converse with another"
Now, according to these definitions, we submit it
whether there is any thing wrong or improper in
the use Of the word as above; whether indeed,
any association could exist at all without complying
under proper restrictions to the will of the majority
in social capacity.
The connection of the word in the obligation,
moreover, plainly defines its purport as there en-
pleyed, and leaves no warrant for the forced con-
struction put upon t-pOlitcdl or social, so far as
this order is concerned" -shoWing its reference to
the FORMS regulations and political objects of the
organization.
In view Of these natural impressions, which l
have hastily sketched of, certainly can see no
objection to the word as said to be employed in the
old Ritual. Whether it was employed or not do
not pretend to decide but it certainly to me
as a matter of little consequence. In. the new re-
vision, however, l can nee the propriety of its
omission in consequence of the ambiguity and mis-
construction TO which so general a term is liable.
w