Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-05-04
Ritual of the Third Degree.
THIRD DTGREE council.
The President administers to the candid
a,es elect the following
OBLIGATION.


The President administers to the candid
a,es elect the following
OBLIGATION.
You, aud each of you, Of your own iree
will and accord, IN the presence OF Almlgh
~ God and these Witnesses, with your hands
ioiped in token If that fraternal affection
which should ever bind together the States
of the Unon--iOnming rlng, IN token OF
your determination that, so far as your efforts
can avail. tins Union shall have no end-do
solemnly and sincerely swear Tor affirm
tina, YOU will not under any circumstances
disclose in any manner, ror sUiier II to be-
done BY others If IN your power TO prevent
it, the name, signs, passwords or o'her Sc
cTets of this Degree, except 10 those TO
whom you may prove on trial to be brothers
of the same Degree, or in open Council Tor
the purpose OF ins,ru tion that you DO
hereby solemny declare your devotion TO
the Union OF these states that m the DIS
charge of your duties as American citizens,
you will uphold, maintain and defend II ;
that you riH discourage and discounisnGnce
any and every attempt coming from any md
eeerg quarter, iut,ch you believe 10 BE- dSgh-
ed or calculated 10 DESTROY or subrcr II, or 10
iceoken lis bonds and lint yor ,5iH use yo"
ipfatnoe. rs far as IN your P0tceT, "a tndtdr-
oring 10 procure an dmicGbis and equitable nd
justaent Of oil political dsconients or differ
snces lrhich NM threaten is injury or ouer-
throw You 90 further promise and swear
Tor affirm that you irW not role for dny one
10 I'll any Office Of honor, or profit, OF trust
Of political character, ,rhom you know or
beii,re 10 be in faror Of a dissolution q The
nnion of these States. or ich0 is c1deGrortng
10 produoe that result that you iriH rofe for
and support for all political ogices Third or
Union Degree members Of thus Ordcr, al pre-
ference 10 all Others; that il 1t may BE- done
consistently with the Constitution and laws
of the land YOU will, when elected or ap
pointed to any ofcial station, which may
confer on you the power TO do SO, rem "
from ofice or place, nu persons tckom you
kaop or Jeiiers 10 be in GIpor Of n dissolution
Of HE Union, or icho ars endeauorng 10 pro-
duo, ihqt result and that you tciH IN no cast
appoint such persons 20 any political oflce Of
place ,chaierer. All tins you promise ard
swear Tor aiiifn) upon your honor as Amer
lean cilzeas, to sustain aud and abide by
without any hesitation or mental reservation
Whatever You also promise and swear toi
sIIiiml that this, and all other obligations
which you have previously taken in this Or.
der, shall ever be kept .slcrel and inviolate
To all this you pledge your lives, your for
tunes, aud your sacred bon rs. So help gu
God and keep you slcodiast Each one
shall answer, " 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:
Brcdcrs: 1t is with great pleasure that
congratulate you upon your advancement, lC
the Third Degree of our Order. The re,
sponsibillties YOU have now assumed, are
more serious and weigbty than those
winch preceded, and are committed TO such
only as have been tried aud found worthy.
Dnr obligations arc intended as solemn a.
vowals OF our duty to the land that gave us
birth 10 the memories of our fathers and
10 the happiness ond welt re Of our children
Consocratlng To your country spirit unself
ish, and fidelity like that which distinguish
cd the patriots OF the Revolution, you hav'
pledged your aid in rementing the bonds o
Unlon which we trust will endure forever
Your department since your initiation, ha
Httested your devotion to the principles w
desire to esq hlIsh and has inspired a con
tidence in your patriotism, Of which we ca
give 10 higher proof than your rccopiio
here.
The dangers which threaten America
l.ber,y arise from foes without, aud fror
enemies within. The First Degree poinie
oui he source and nGtue Of our most imin
neni peril. and indicated N first measure
safety. The Second D,gree deemed The ne
means by ichlch in coming TINE, such assault
my be rendered hUaiess. The Third ID
gee, iehieh you hare just rse,ired, mol on
reiteraies The lessons o The other tico, bm
intended 10 oroid and proride for more ,
mote bm no less terrible danger from domesl
enemies 10 our free institutions.
Our object Is briefly this To perfect d
urginizatlon, modelled after that of the Co
sniution of the United States. and coex;cl
siye with the coutederacy lis object an
principles, ia all m tiers OF national concc
10 be uniform aud identical, whilst in all /
cal matters, the component parts shall rema
independent and sovereign within then r
specuye limits.
The great result 10 be attaincd-tic Of
one which can secure perfect guaranty
10 our iujure--s USioS; permanent, endu
ing, fraternal UNION! Allow me then
impress upon your minds and memories u
touching sentments of the Father of 4
Country, in his farewell address: at
UsiTr OF Government which CONSUMES "
one people, saws WAsnINoToN, " Is Just
dear TO you, for il is the main pillar IN I
edifoe Of your real independence, the 81
port of your tranquility at home, of yo
peace abroad, of your safety, your prosperil
even that Liberty you so Justly prize.
II is Of infinite momcn, that yC
should properly estimate the immense yal
OF your National Uniun, 10 your colectl
and individual happiness. You should cher.
cordial, habnual, aud inmoyabe ailacl
ment TO Il ; accustoming yourselves to thii
and speak Of it, as the palladium of your p
lltcal safety and prosperity; watching &
It's preservation with jealous anxiety di
countenancng whatever may suggest ever
suspicion that il can in any event be aba
doned, and Indignantly ffowning upon II
first dawning of every attempt TO alena
any portion OF our couatry from the rest,
TO enfeeble the sacred ties which now biz
together the various parts"
Let these words Of paternai advice al
warning, from the greatest man that ever h
ed,sink ceep into your hearts, Cherish thei
and teach your children 10 reverence thei
as YOU cherish and reverence the memory
WAsHiSGros himself. The Union of the
States IS the great coDseryator Of liberty
dear to the American heart. Without it, O
greatness, as a nation, would disappear, q
our boosted self.goyeTnment prove sigr
failure. The very name OF Liberty, and t
hopes of struggling Freedom throughout |
world, must perish in the wreck OF the Unio
Devote yourselves then to It's maiutainan
as our fathers did TO the cause Of lndepe
dence (; consecIatiDg 10 lis support as y
have sworn to do, your lives, your forum
aud your sacred honors
Brothers recalling to your minds
solemn obligations, which you have severa
taken IN this and the preceding Degrees
now pronounce you ent.led to all the priv
eyes Of membership in this Orranizaiio
aud take pleasure in informing you that y
are now members OF the order OF
Degree No. requires the X. n. freem
in all political matters " to comply with t
will of the msiorify las oxDressed in a X