Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-05-23
of Americanism---Ritual OF the
Third Degree.


press. 10 the obligations assumed by members of
the American party, in taking what is called "the
third Degree" and to the incompatibility of those
obligations with aboitlonism or sectional agitation
of any character The anti American press Of
the South, in publishing what purports to be a
revelation of the secret rites and pledges OF the
party; took good care to leave out this third de-
gree, but within a few days past free-soil anti
American paper of Pittsburg has obtained acci-
dental possession of copy of it, and has made 1t
public with view of creating prejudice against
the American movement with the abotlonsts.
disunionists and agilators of the North. The
story is that it was among the contents OF lost
pocket book, which the finder placed in the hands
of the editor Without commenting upon the
prupriety of its original publication. under such
circumstances. we desire to state that we have
reason fur believing that the formula as published
by the Pittsburg Gazette, and given below, IS lhe
true and genuine ritual of the Third Degree
We submit it to the people os the South, win Inc
inquiry whether they know any other party tnat
is willing to take upon itself, as rule of action
throughout the country, the conservative, tran-
QUILTING and national obligation here prescribed
And W submit it to them whether any party,
willing thus to oind itself in the sight OF God and
man, should not be sustained by all who desire to
secure the peace of the country and the perpetulty
of the Union Here is the document :-Lynch'
burg Vugitian
RITUAL OF THE THIRD DECREE. .
THIRD DEGREE COUNCIL.
The president administers to the candidates E.
lect the following
OBLIGATION:
You, and each Of you. OF your own free Will
and accord, in the presence OF Almighty God ana
these witnesses, with your hands joned IN token
of that traiernal affection which should ever bind
tooelher the States of this Union, forming ring,
in token OF your determination, as far as yorr ell
forts can avail, this Union shall have no end, do
solemny and sincerely swear (or alilfm) that you
will not, under any circumstances, disclose 10 any
manner, nor suffer il to be done by others If In
your power to prevent it, the name, signs, pass
words, or other secrets OF this Degree, except to
those to whom you may prove on trial to be broth
ers Of the same Degree, or in open Council for the
purpose of instruction that you do hereby solemn
liy declare your devotion to the Union of these
States that in the discharge of your duties as A
mercan citizens you will uphold, maintain, and
defend il; that you ,ciH discourage and discoun-
tenancc a,ly and ercry attempt coming from any
and evcry quarter ,0lich you bcliere 10 be design
ed or calculated 10 destroy. or subrert 1t. or 10
,ccaken its bonds and that you wiH use your in.
Huemce as far as in your po,oer, IN endedportng
10 rrocure an amicabte and equitable adjustment
of all political discontents or differences, which
may threaten its injury or orertiro,r. You do
turiher promise and swear (or affifm) that you
,iA not role for any one To- fill any fice of honor.
or protit or trust Of political character, ,chom
nou knoto or beiere 10 be IN fauor Of dissolution
of the union Of these Saes or ,oho IS endearoing
to produce that result; that you will vote tor and
support for all political Offices Sd or Union De
gree members OF this Order, in preference to all
others that ii 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 on you the power TO do 50, re-
aove from office or place, all persons ,chom you
kao,c nr belicuc to be IN .faror Of dissolution OF
the Union or who are enfearoring TO produce that
result and that in no case you DiH appoint such
persons TO any political office or place whaterer.
All this you promise and swear (ur affirm) upon
YOUR honor as American citizens and friends OF
the American Union, to sustain and abide by
without any hesitation or mental reservation
whatever. You also promise and swear Cor at
frm) that this. and all other obligations which
YOU have previously taken in this Order, shall
ever be kept sacred and inviolate. To all this
YOU pledge your lives. your fortunes, and your
sacred honors. So help you God and keep you
steadtast. Each one shall answer 81 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:
BROTHERS: II is with great pleasure that
congratulate you upon your advancement to the
Third Degree of our Order. The responsibilities
Won have now assumed are more serious and
weighty than those which preceded, and are COM
mitied 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 memories of ou! fathers; and to the
happiness and welfare of our children. Conse
Grazing to your country spirit unselfish, and
fidelity like that which distinguished the patriots
of the Revelation, you have pledged your aid in
cenenling the bonds of Union which we trust
will endure forever. Your department since your
initiation has atlesled your devotion to the prin
ciples we desire 10 establish; and has inspired a
confidence in yuor 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 out the source and na-
ture of our most imminent peril. and indicated
The first measure of safely. The Second Degree
defined the neat means By which. IN coming time,
such assaults may be rendered harmless. The
Third Degree phich you haze just reeeiced, not
only reiteraies The lessons Of The other two. but
Is Intended 10 aro,c and provide for u more re
mote but no less terrible danger from domestic
enemies to our free institutions.
Our object is briefly this: To perfect an organ
ization modelled after that of The Constitution of
the United States, ,and coextensve with the CON
federacy its objects and principles in all matters
of national concern, tu be uniform and identical,
whilst in all local matters, the component parts
shall remain independent and sovereign within
nlelr respective limits.
The great resalt TO be attaihed-the only one
which Can secure perfect guaranty as to our tu-
ture-is UNION; permanent, enduring, traternal
UEioE Allow me 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 which constitutes
you one people," says Washington. sis Justly
dear to you, for it is the main pillar in the edifce
Of yonr real independence, the support of yonr
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 cf your Ma
tonal Union, to your collective and individual
happiness You should cherish cordial, habitu-
al, and immovabe attachment to it; accustoming
yourselves TO think and speak OF it; as the palla-
dium of your political safely and prosperity
watching for lis preservation with jealous anxiety.
discountenancing whatever may suggest even a
suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned,
and Indignantly frowning upon the first dawning
of every attempt to ALLEVIATE any portion of our
country from the rest, or 10 enieehie the sacred
ties which now bind together the various parts"
Let these words Of paternal advice and warn
ing, from the greatest man that ever lived, sink
deep into your hearts! Cherish them, and teach
yonr children to reverence them. as you cherish