Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-29

the following
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
fraternsl affection which should ever bind together
the States of this Union, forming ring, in token
of your determination that, so far as your efforts
can avail this Union shall have no end, do solemn
IL and sincerely swear Tor affirm that you will
not under any circumstances, disclose in any man
ner nor suffer it to be done ty others if in your
power to prevent it 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 pur-
pose of Instruction. that you do hereby solemnly
declare your devotion to the Union of these States;
that in the discharge of your duty as American ct
zeas you will uphold, maintain, and defend ii; that
you aru discourage and diScountenance any attempt
coming from any and every gtorter aUtlch yOu be-
lieve TO be designed or calculated TO DESTROY Sujrert
IT, or to a0eaken its bonds and that you gu use yOur
influence far an your pOa0er, an e1ldearorg to
procure an anieabe and equitable adjustment Of all
political discontents differences achich may threaten
its injury or overthrsW. You do further promise
and swear (or affirm that you ,yiA not gate fr any
to fill any office Of honor, or profit, or trust Of
political character ;Uhon you k1OW 6eeUe to be IA
tavor of dissolution Of the Union Of these States
gUho is endeaUoring TO produce that result that you
will vote for and support for all political offices,
third or Union Degree members of this Order, in
preference to all others; that if it may be done
consistently with the Constitution and laws of the
land, you will when elected or appointed to any
official station, which may confer Ga you power to
do so, renaove from office or place, all persons whom
you knotU believe to be favor Of dissolution Of
the Union, or soho are endearoring to produce that
result and that you aoH in no case appoint such per-
sons to any political office or place whatever All this
you promise and swear Tor affirm upon your honor
as American citizens and friends of the American
Union, to sustain and abide by without any hesita-
ton or mental reservation whatever. You also
promise and swear Cor affirm that this, and all
other obligations which you have previously taken
in this Order, shall ever be kept sacred and invC-
late To all this you pledge your lives, your for
tunes, and your sacred honors. So help you God
and keep you steadfast. Each one shall answer,
II do"
After the candidates have been instructed in the
mysteries of this third degree of the Order, the
following charge is given ty the P esident:
BRoTHERs: 1t is with great pleasure that l con-
graduate you upon your advancement to the third
degree of our Order. The responsibilities you
have now assumed are more serious and weighty
than those which preceded, and are committed to
such only as have been tried and found worthy
Our obligations are intended as solemn avowals of
our duty to the land that gave US birth to the
welfare Of cur children. Consecratng 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 Union which we trust will endure forever
Your department since your initiation has attested
your devotion to the principles which we desire to
establish; and has inspired confidence in your
patriotism, of which we can give no higher proof
than your reception here.
The danuara which threaten American liberty
arise from foes without, and from enemies within.
The First Degree pointed out the source and nature
of our most imminent peril and indicated the first
measure Of safety. The Second Degree defined tie
meet means by GOhich IN coming time such assaults
may be rendered harmless The Third Degree, aohich
you hare Just receUed not only reerates tie lessons
Of the oer tsco, but ii is intended to avoid and pro-
eide for more remote bat less terrible danger
from domestic enemies TO oar free institutions
Our object is briefly this To perfect an oTganl- |
zation, modelled after that Of the Constitution Of
the United States and coextensive with the con- !
federscy. Its object and principles, in all matters
Of national concern, to be uniform and identical, /
whilst in all local matters, the component parts |
shall remain independent and sovereign within |
their respective limits.
The great result to be ob.ained-the only one
which can secure perfect guaranty as to our fu-
ture-is UNION; permanent, enduring, fraternal
L mon Allow me then to impress upon your
minds and memories the touching sentiments of
tne rather OF his country, in his farewell address
Inc UNITY Of Government which constitutes you
one people, says Washington, sis Justly dear to
YOU Tor 1t ls the main pillar in the edfce of your
real independence, the support of your tranquility
- 49, nome o. your peace abroad, your prosperity
even that liberty you SO justly prize.
1t is of moment that you should properly
estimate the immense value of your National
mon, 70 your collective and individual happiness.
GU should cherish a cordial, habitua and immo-
Fable attachment to it, to think and speak of it. as
he palladium of your political safety and prosperi-
~ watching for its preservation with Jealous anxi-
'ty discountensncing whatever may suggest even
suspicion that it can in any event De abandoned.
md Indignantly frowning upon the first dawning
If every attempt to ALLEVIATE any portion of our
country from the rest, or to enteeble the sacred
les which now bind together the various parts"
Let these words of psternal advice and warn
ng, from the greatest man that ever lived, sink
eep into your hearts, Cherish them, and teach
our children to reverence them, as you cherish
nd reverence the memory of Washington himself.