Washington telegraph., 1855-06-13

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your aid in cementing the bonds Of 4 Union
which we trust will endure forever. Your
department since your initiation has attest
ed your devotion to the principles we
desire to establish, and has inspired a conf
denee in your patriotism, Of which we can
give no higher proof than your reception
here.
The dangers which threaten American
liberty arise from foes without, and from
enemies within. The first degree pointed
cut the source and nature OF our most i'm
minent peril, and indicated the first meas
ure 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 re-
ceivcd, not only reiterates the lessons Of the
other two, but 1t is intended TO ayow and
provide for a more remote but no less terri
bic danger from domestic enemies 10 our
free institutions.
Our object is briefly this: To perfect an
organization. modelled after that Of the Con-
siitution Of the United States. and co-exten-
tcnsive with the Confederacy its objects
and principles in all matters of national
concern. to be uniform and identical. whilst
in all local matters the component parts
shall remain independent aud sovereign
within their respective limits.
The great result to be attained-the only
one which can secure perfect guarantee as
to our fuiure-ls UNIoN-permanent, endu-
ring fraternal UNION, Allow nc then to
impress upon your minds and memories the
touching sentiments of the Father Of his
Country, in his farewell address The
UNITY Of government constitutes you one
people, says Washington, land isjustly dear
to you, for it is the main pillar in the edi-
fee 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.
1t is Of infinite moment that you should
properly estimate the immense value Of
your National Union, to your collective and
individual happiness You should cherish
cordial, habitual and immoyable attach
ment to it; accus;oming yourselves to think
and speak Of it as the palladium of your po-
ltical safety and prosperity; watching for
its preservation with jealous anxiety, dis
countenancing whatever may suggest even
a suspicion that it can in any event be aban-
doned. and Indignantly frowning upon the
Grst dawning Of any attempt to ALLEVIATE any
portion Of our country from the rest, or to
enfeeb!e the sacred ties which now bind to-
gether the various parts
Let these words of paternal advice and
warning. from the greatest man that ever
lived, sink deep into your hearts Cherish
them, and teach your children TO reverence
them, as you cherish and reverence the
memory of Washington himself. The union
of these States is the great conservator Of
liberty so dear to the American heart
Without it, cur greatness as nation would
disappear, and our boasted selfcoyernment
prove signal failure The very name of
Liberty, and the hopes Of struggling free
dom throughout the world, must perish IN
the wreck Of this Union, Devote yourselves
then 10 its maintenance, as cur fathers did
to the cause OF independence; conSecra-
ting 10 its support. as yen have sworn to DO,
your lives, your fortunes. and your sacred
honors,
Brothers. Recalling to your minds the
solemn obligations which you have severally
taken in this and the preceding degrees. I
now pronounce you entitled to all the privi-
leges OF membership in this organization,
and take pleasure in informing you that you
are low members OF the Order CT =