Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-06-19
OBLIGATION THIRD DEGREE.


left hand appraised toward Heaven, my right hand
erasping the flag of my native land, Of my own
free will and accord do solenlnly and sincerely
promise, declare and swear, that will never COM
municate any Of the secrets OF this degree TO any
person or persons in the world, except within the
body of legally organized council of this order or
TO a known brother of this degree and not INTO
them until am well assured that they just and
upright brethren, who are legally entitled to re-
ceive the same. / also promise and swear that l
will due obedience pay to the constitution, laws,
and edicts Of the honorable grand council of the
State Of -, and to the laws which govern coun-
Gil No. -, so far as they may come to my knowl-
edge.
Il also promise and swear that whenever may
vote at any election that vote sha in all cases be
given to natiye-boru American citizens only and
that viii ever seek the political advancement of
those men who are good and true members OF this
order
Il also promise and swear that this and all other
obligations which l have previously taken in this
order shall be kept through life sacred and invo-
late l also promise and swear that whenever I
may hear the sign the signal of distress Civ
en- by any brother of this order, l will hasten at
once to his immediate relief at the peril of my life.
IL also promise and swear that l will ever con-
tribute my means, in such sums as | can spare
without personal inconvenience, to the advance
ment of our views and to the extension OF Amer
lean principles through the medium of the grand
council of the State Of
II also promise and swear that | will never per-
init spurious or clsndestne member OF this order,
participate in any of the advantages thereof and
that / will never encourage, couutenance, uphold,
recognize, or support spurious or clandestine
council of this order.
ITO all these aud those | do most sincerely
promise declare, and swear, binding myself under
no less penalty than that of having my grave
trampled On by foreigners, and to have my meno-
~ cursed by my children and my children's chill
iren as traitor to their welfare, to my country,
and to my God So help me God, and witness my
obligation"
SIGNS AND GRIPS
The signs and grips of the first degree is made |
thus: Place the forefnger in the space between |
he buttons Of the coat vest or shirt, and eeVating
he thumb so as TO form tri-angle-and the re- |
.porse is to catch hold of the coat or vest with |
The hand closed and point out the fore6nger and
middle finger if you belong to the second degree, |
md three fingers if you belong to the third degree.
The universal pass for the second degree is "the |
grave, the response" of Washington" The enter
ng pass in this degree is 'caution" at the outside
loor and "place none but Natge-born Americans |
IN guard to night" at the inner door.
Since the exposure in the Union" and Herald,
he various councils in each county have coun-
ensign. In Lawrence county it is ITO place the
ore and middle finger and thumb together, and
lace them in your right vest pocket or wsistband,
nd the response will be in like msnner in the
eft vest pocket" ..
Ihave thus exposed the Organization, bt cause
,elieve it to be duty owe to my God and my
ountry. was deceived and cajoled into the mat
er as many have been, by flattering representa-
ions of its purity and goodness, only to find It
ase fraud and contemplate political trick, set on
Dot, and still carried on By men whose love of
as = dictipn ant 1vaioh their dAyO.