Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-02-11
QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

p The Banner reminds us that il sometime since
q asked US the following questions:
}, care you opposed to the extension of the term
r Of residence now required Of aliens, in order to
their being admitted TO the benefits Of citizenship
"Are you in favor of prescribing all native
i born citizens of the United States who have be-
[ come, or shall hereafter become, members of the
r Know Nothing organization"
2 The Banner says we have not answered these
questions. We may not have made ourselves I'M
derstoodby the Banner, but this is not our fault.
We suppose that no one else who has read our pa
per would find it Necessary to ask these questions.
In regard to the first question, we have fire.
queutly said, that we in favor of liberal natu-
radiation laws; that we believe the evils complain
ed Of under the present laws are the effect of their
defective execution; that we are opposed to their
extension; but that regard the question
fair and legitimate point Of political discussion.
We denounce secret combinations to effect change
in these laws, as we should a secret combination
to effect any other political object being in il
self an immensely greater evil aud danger than
anything in the laws of our country which may
need changing We have repeated this language
so often that every one of our readers understands
cur position.
As for the second question We have lately
said, and we again say, that, SO entirely convinced
are we of the great danger of secret combinations
whose members are bound by oaths, in a republi-
in government, that we would not knowingly vote
Tor any man for any Office who belonged to such an
organization We would with all our hearts, sup
port for Office a wing opponent of such organi-
alton against prolessed democrat who belonged
10 it; because, bad as is our opinion of whiggery
we fear its open conduct less than the secret and
Irresponsible conduct of any class Of men.
1t has been proved, in a case in court at Lowell,
Mass, that the following is one of the oaths adj
1ninistered to know uothings and we do not hes
itate to say-cal it prescription, or what not
that. as an American Democrat-sn advocate Of
civil and religious liberty-we never viii knowing
" vote for any man who has taken and still recog-
nizes the binding obligation of such an oath And
so the Bapner is answered
OBLIGATION You, and each Of you OF your
own free will and accord, in the presence of Al
MIGHTY God and these witnesses, your right hand
,estino on this Holy Bible and Cross, and your
left hand raised toward heaven, or q 10 Je prefer
rcd your left hand resting your breast, and your
rjrbt hand raised toward heaven, IN token OF your
sincerity, do soemnly promise and swear, that goa
avH not make b7olC1 to any person or persons any
f the Sims secrets mysteries objects Of this organ
gzltioa, unless it be to those whom, after due ex
animation or lawful information, you shall lind to
he members of this organization in good standing;
that YOU will not cut, carve, print paint, stamp,
stain or in any way directly OF indirectly, expose
any of the secrets or objects of this order nor suf
fer il TO be done 10y Others, If in your power to
ravont If unless il be for official instruction that
=, LONG as Won are connected with this organization,
if NOT regularly dismissed from it. you will in all
tbnps notical or social so far as this order is
,erned comply auith the aUU Of the majority, when
EXPRESSED in lawful manner, thought may conflict
qrh your personal preference so long as 1t does not
conflict with the grand, state or subordinate const-
tutions the constitution of the United States of
America, or that of the State in which you reside
that YOU will not, under any circumstance what
eyer knowingly recommend an unworthy person,
for initiation nor suffer it TO be done, II III your
mower IN nreyent it, You furthermore promise
and declare that you will not vote nor give your
Influence for any man for any office within the gift
of the paople. unless he be an American born Cit
oar, in favor of Americans born ruling America;
nor if he be a Roman Catholic and that You will
not, under any circumstance expose the name OF
any member of disorder nor reveal the existence
of such an organization. To all the foregoing you
bind yourselves, under the no less penalty man
that of being expelled from tins order aud OF nav
ing your name posted and circulated throughout
the different councils of the United States, as a
perjurer, AID traitor 10 God and yOar country,
as being unfit 70 be employed and trusted c0unte-
gdnced on supported an any business transaction, as
a person totally 1nUortby The confidence Of al good
men and as one at aoao1 the finger of scoTn should
ep,r be pointed So help me God.