Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-15
From the Lynchburg Virginiap.
Nationality OF Americanism Ritual Of the
Third Degree.

press. 10 the obligations assumed by members OF
the American party In taking what Is called "the
third degree" and to the incompatibilty OF those
obligations with abolitionism or sectional agitation
of any character. The anti-American press Of the
South, in publishing what purports TO be revela-
ton Of the secret rites and pledges OF the party
take good care to leave out this third degree, but
within few days past free-soil anti-American
paper of Pittsburg has obtained accidental posses
sion of copy Of it, and has made 1t public with
view of creating q prejudice against the American
movement with the abolitionists, disunonists and
agitators of the North. The story is that Il was
among the contents of lost pocketbook, which
the finder placed in the hands of the editor With
out commenting upon the propriety OF its original
publication under such circumstances, we desire
TO state that we have reason for believing that the
formula as published by the Pittsburg Gazette, and
given below, is the true and genuine ritual OF the
third degree. We submit it to the people Of the
South, with the inquiry whether they know any
other party that is willing to take upon ITSELF as
rule of action throughout the country, the conser-
vative, tranquiizing and national obligations here
prescribed And we submit II to them whether
any party willing thus to bind itself In the sight
of God and man, should not DO sustained by all
who desire to secure the peace Of tho country and
the perpetuity Of the Union. Here is the docu-
ment:
RITUAL OF THE THIRD DEGREE.
THIRD DECREE COUNCIL
The President administers to the candidates
elect the following
OBLIGATION
You, and each of YOU Of your own free will and
accord, in the presence of Almighty God and these
Witnesses with your hands Joined In token OF that
raternal affection which should ever bind together
the States Of this Union, forming ring. in token
of your determination that, as far % your efforts
can avail, this Union shall have no end, do solemn
y and sincerely swear Tor atirm) that you will not
under any circumstances, disclose in any manner,
nor suffer 1t to be done by others If in your power
to prevent 1t, the name, signs passwords or other
secrets of this degree, except to those TO whom
you may prove on trial TO be brothers Of the same
degree, or in open council for the purpose OF in
struction; that you do hereby solemnly declare
your devotion to the Union Of these States; that
in the discharge of your duties as American citi-
zens you will uphold, maintain, and defend il;
that you will discourage and discountenance any
and every attempt coming from any and every
quarter, which you believe to be designed or cal
culated to destroy, or subvert it, to weaken its
bonds and that you will use your influence, as
far as in your power, in endeavoring to procure an
amicable and equitable adjustment of all political
dscontents or differences, which may threaten its
injury or overthrow
You do further promise and swear Tor aAirm)
that you will not vote for any one to fill any Office
of honor, profit, or trust Of political character
whom you know or believe to be in favor of a dis
solution of the union of these States or who Is en-
deavoring to produce that result; that you will
vote for and support for all political Offices Sd or
Union Degree members of this order, in preference
to all others; that II it may be done consistently
with the Constitution and laws of the land, you
will when elected or appointed to any official sta
ton, which may confer on you the power to do 80,
from, off or N nj nj
know or believe to be in favor Of dissolution OF
the Union, or who are endeavoring to produce that
result and that in no case you will appoint such
persons to any political Office or place whatever
All this YOU promise and swear Tor afirm) upon
your honor as American citizens and friends of the
American Union, to sustain and abide by without
any hesitation or mental reservation whatever
You also promise and swear Tor afirm) that this,
and all other obligations which you have previous
ly taken in this order, shall ever be kept sacred
and inviolate. To all this you pledge your lives,
your fortunes, and your sacred honors so help you
God, and keep you steadfast.
Each one shall answer 81 do"
After the candidates have been instructed in the
mysteries of this third degree of the order, the
following charge is given by the President:
BRornERs: 1t is with great pleasure that con-
graduate you upon your advancement to the
third degree of our order. There sponsibities you
than those which preceded, and are committed to
such only as have been tried and found worthy
Our obligations are intended as solemn avor ais Of
our duty to the land that gave us birth; to the
memories of our fathers and to the happiness
and welfare of our children. Consecrating to your
country spirit unselfsh, and fidelity like that
which distinguished the patriots Of the revolution
you have pledged your aid in cementing the bonds
Of a Union which we trust viii endure forever.
W., IL haQ
ed your devotion to the principles I'VE desire 10
establish; and has inspired a confidence In your
patriotism, of which we can give no higherproof
than your reception here.
The dangers which threaten American liberty
arise from foes without, and from enemies within.
The first degree pointed out the source and ma
ture Of our most imminent peril, and indicated
the first measure Of safety. The second degree
defined the next means by which, In coming
time, such assaults may be rendered harmless.
The third degree, which you have just received,
not only reiterates the lessons Of the other two,
but II Is intended to avow and provide for more
remote but no less terrible danger from domestic
enemies to our free institutions.
Our object Is briefly this; To perfect an organ
ization modelled after that of the Constitution OF
the United States, and coextensive with the Con-
federacy its objects and principles in all matters
of national concern, TO be uniform and identical,
shall remain independent and sovereign within
their respective limits.
The great result TO be attained-the only one
which can secure perfect guarantee as TO our flu.
ture-is UNION; permanent, enduring, fraternal
UsIosl Allow me then to impress upon your
minds and memories the touching sentiments Of
the Father of his Country, in his farewell address
"Ths UNITY of government which constitutes you
one people," says Washington, lis justly dear 70
you, for Il Is the main pillar in the edfce of your
real independence the support Of your tranquility
at home, of your peace abroad, Of your safety,
your prosperity, even that liberty you SO justly
prize.
Il Is Of infinite moment that you should
properly estimate the immense value of your Ma
tional Union TO your collective and individual hap
piness. You should cherish cordial, habitual,
and immovable attachment TO L.; accustoming
yourselves to think and speak Of it as the paadi-
um Of your political safety and prosperity watch
ing for It's preservation with jealous anxiety, dis
countenancing whatever may suggest even sus-
picion that il can in any event be abandoned, and
Indignantly frowning upon the first dawning OF
every attempt TO ALLEVIATE any portion of our coun-
try from the rest, OF to enfeeble the sacred ties
which now bind together the various parts
Let these words Of paternal advice and warn
IL Is IL