The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-08-31
stephens ON ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

Der OF Congress, delivered recently al dinner ten
dese,l him by the citizens OF Columbia county
powerful appeal 10 his constituents, on the dangerous
character OF the new secret organization. Alter dis
cussing at length OF the particular oahs Of the
order which in the face Of the Constitution, imposes
a religious test Mr.. Stephens proceeds
'sBut / cannot dwell upon this FIRST degree obliga-
ton. II would take an hour 10 expose the mischie-
voHs consequences that may be expected legitimate
ly 10 flow trom the practical operation OF the several
parts of ii. Such for instance, that hcb
every member of the party in these words:
''You will, in all political matters, Tar this
order is concerned, comply with the will of the
jofdy, though il may conflict with your own person
al preference" &c.
s'You will not, ander any circumstances, expose
the name OF any member Of tins order reveal the
existence of such association
Mark this langnage-'.uuder any circumstances"
Suppose public dnty shouId demand OF good citizen
''unwittugly'' drawn INTO it, to make known, not
only the existence of such an association, but the
vows OF It's members; would good men, with no OBJ
ects, want such protection against exposure and
discovery, as IS mere most solemnly pFovided'
But again:
'.That you will answer imperative notice ssu-
ed by the proper authority obey the command of the
State Couuc, president his deputy, will assemble
by such notire and respond the claim OF a sign
cry of order, unless il be physically impossible" +"
Fellow-riiizens, you who know-Noihiags, do
mol wish TO say anything calculated 10 wonld your
feelings bat can you imagine anything more neon
si>ten with the manlIaes. of character Which should
characterize freemen, than thus obllgaon-ths oath
10 obey the command OF the president aud his depu
fy! Suppose that command should be 10 raise rot
las was the Ia Cincinnati. To scatter "fed
paper," bloody symbols 20 light up civil in the
land Ought freeman then, IN advance 10 swear
that he viii obey the command Of any on earth?
Did not thus incou> deratry taken and much
more nconsideraiely kept by erod present the head
o. JohH the BAPTIST charger. and may not
similar occurrence happen again? And TO respond
to the claim Of sign, cry, OF the "Order' unless
it be physically impoS,ibe
Now what liberty of thought, right Of Judgment
IS reserved 10 a man freeman. after taking, or
while under such an obligation speak plainly,
and tell YOU one and all. Il had ever taken if
were now under il, would not let yonder 90
down before wonId throw of this restriction upon
nay right of udgmeni-this bond upon nv own
free will, and this heavy yoke upon my independence
as tnan-meSs il should he Fphyslcally impos>!-
ble!' ] would break the bonds Samson did The
''withes." freeman's strength lies in has sovereign
independence
4 gentleman in the crowd-Mr. Grecn-nterrup-
ted, asked Mr. Stephens If he had read the admon-
lions given in charge after the obligation taken just
referred TO by him.
MIR. Stephegs.-l have read the obligation, and the
whole Of IT, What follows in the ceremony OF intia-
ted. Intend 10 read it. What the gentleman calls
the admonitoHs after the Sd degree, expect.
hat will come to after while, il my strength 10
speak 80 long will permit. This Is the ceremony
which follows initiation into the FIRST degree. But
one word as 10 the concluding part of this oath
'.Binding yoursell in the penalty of excommuniea-
ton from he Order, the forfeiture OF all intercourse
with lis mrube:s, aud being denounced in all the
ceii@s of the same, as wiiul traitor 10 your God
and your country.''
Now, who cnmmis sioned von OF auy Of you. to de-
nonncp ''troitor 10 has God or his eountry2'
Whence is your authority derived? Wha Star Cham
Der Court, worse than Spanish lnquision, ever gave
yoa s"rh power over your fetow-citizens But
" hat follows IS IN these words
s'Ihe candidates then invested by the lnsfruc-
tor with everything appertaidlns 10 the first degree,
with the signs coGntprsaa and passwords. with The
sign Of recognitiou;' the answer, and the grip,
with the means by which public notice of meeting
IS gwen the OF DISTRESS the 'sIgn Of caution
after which the President inpresSes OF the initiated
the importance of secrecy. the OF proceeding
recommending candidates for initiation and the
sponsibilliiy of the duties, which they have assum-
ed -
part of this, il is true may he considered admon
tory: but the most of il relates the signs and
terslgns, the passwords and the '.grip," with the
'"sgn OF cantion's and the s'crY of disress;all Of
which the disciple, npophyte, is given 10 ur-
derstand he Is bound torespond to- unless il be ''phy
sicaliy impossibie'-and under which Il Fswor-
thy broiher'' abotjouist at the North should come
ed as he ought TO be- he would confidently expect 10
be protected f there any members of the Order
about. For The s'cry of distress" under the OBJ
ligatIon be responded 10, ''nle>s il be physically
impossible" Is that The admonitiou the gentleman
wanted read?
Mr. Green again interrupted, and was understood
by MIR. 5. TO say, fhe expected to besustained and
supported by the people OF Columbia county he had
better make no points with hlm.l
Mr.. 5. continuing, said My object, sir, is not 10
Y111,lA ttb 49,
present TO the people here the principles of party,
which think radically wrong, exceedingly mi>chie-
vons and dangerous the Republic. This shall do,
without any reference 10 the effect it may have upon
my being sustained either by you, by the people OF
Columbia county, without any regard to the effect
it may have either upon your vote or influence.
have soft phrases hpneyed words TO utter, eth
er 10 gaiE Your vote or that of others. | no
meay-Gouthed expedition in addressing the people
OF this district. shall speak respectfully, but frank
ly--candldly, but boldly, let the consequences be
what they may. 'sl ask no favors, aud shall shrink
from no responsibility"
a man vino would hatter the people 10 get Office
would, under different circumstances lick the dust
from the foot of monarch for the same object. As
would to do the last equally scoru 10 do the
first. So may Just we'll understand ourselves
and our positions in ihiS particular before proceeding
lurther and so lar my election is concerned, dc
not intend 10 swerve the sixteenth bousandh part oil
hairs breadth from my principles and ny convic-
tons OF DUTY To get mans vote. | am quite as M
dependent as yon are and think more So for have
not sworn TO comply with the will of any set of mer
against my own-wheher yon have not is known
TO yourself.
Should be elected, shall feel not only grateful
for, but graIiied at, the continued confidence OF the
people OF the District. But fby the exercise of then
own free will-untrammelled, or unshackled or even
under trammels and shackles, voluntarily their
part assumed and worn, they signify at the polls
preference for another shall not utter murmur.-
From that independent spirit with which was born
and with which am this day sustained shall at my
quiet home draw event defeat, more pleasure peace
and contenment. than success with all IFS honors
cond possibly afford if attended with consciousness
that they had been acquired by the slightest sacrifice