Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-01-06
THF KNOW NOTHING INITIATION.

Hampshire, Gazette The writer has made some
capital hits. The order of politicians out of which
the greater portion of the members of this secret
organization are manufactured, is well described
1t used to be favorite maxim of Federalism, lit
tie possible for the public eye; but Know Moth
ingism goes beyond this, and presents nothing for
the people to examine and decide upon, except the
results of elections which, in nine cases out of ten
enure to the benefit of Wings and abolitionists
Can it be possible that there are Democrats in the
South who belong to, who think seriously of
joining this midnight association? But let US have
the supposed initiation. Here it is:
ScENE-Interior of a Lodge of Rnoso-nothings-
Time Administered Master in the Choir-Can-
boiling spirit lamp, table beside nsar
roao-6one and ctea0er
OF CEREMONIES, RISING.
Brothersl tits the mystic hour
For the exercise of power.
Lo! the sacred fire is hot
Bois the sacred shaving pot,
As within its brim fling
Every native offering:
Bunch of wool from Afric skull
Feather from full hedged gull
Down ne v-pucked from callow- goose
Emblem fit for to
Double, double, toll and trouble
In the tin pot squeak and bubble
OMNEs setennLy
Bubble!
If [ read the omens clear,
Happy auspices are here.
Let the candidate appear.
(1he candidate is brought torDard)
Stranger-ere you swear obedience
We must know your antecedents.
CANDIDATE.
fits politics you mean,
Everything by turns I've been
/ have been a locofoco,
But found that that was no go
Woody head and silver-gray,
Putty head in small way,
Wildcat, Pizzarinctum, too,
And free-soiler.
That will do.
Brother renegade greet you
Joyed am as much to meet you.
Now mark my words and their intent,
And bow your head if you assent.
Can you questioner put by?
And can you on occasion lie?
Candidate boacs0
Can you all orders blindly follow?
And have you capacious swallow?
Don't you believe that some years hence
Popes will appoint our Presidents?
Don't YOU believe the Jesuts thrive
Because in secret they, contrive?
You hate confessionals?-l see
You debut you'll confess to me.
Don't you believe the Romish priests
Are sworn to slaughter US like beasts?
That all the Irish arms are hiding
In all the shanties they abide in?
That all the Irish girls combine
To purchase arsenic and strychnlne
That in know-nothings lies our hope
To fight the Devil and the Pope?
(7He Candidate 6oacs repeatedly
Now lift the bone and cleaver high in air
And full obedience to our order swear.
(Cdndidate o6eys)
The ordeal's past-and you here proclaim
know-nothing in intellect and name.
Around YOU see band of brothers true
None of these honest men know more than you.
From different parties they have fallen away,
And now go in for plumber and for prey;
Like you they're bound our lead to blndly follow
Like you they have most capacious swallow;
They bolt whatever prodigy name
gate or saw mill, it is all the same.
Honors We'll make equal can;
Where each expects to be congressman
If not governor. Our signs are few
And easy to be learned-even by you
The grip is this-youll getit in minute;
Then you must shake your head-theres nothing
in it
Next wise look-for wsdom's profession
good stuffed owl will aid you in expression
Minerals bird and ours-no soaring lark
But one that goes a housing in the dark.
But lo the night is verging into day
Freeborn Americans let's sneak away
Down the backstairs, and then we'll cut and run,
And vanish through dark alleys, one by one
Fancy you've robbed hen-roost and tread light,
Then will your skul<ng gait beft your flight.
INIT