Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1855-08-18
THE MYSTERY OF KNOW NorH1NeIsm

selt-styled American Party consists Of the Grand
Council Of the United States of North America,
State, District, or Territorial Councils for each
State, District and Territory of the Union, and
Of subordinate Councils for each town, county,
or other locality, deriving their dispcnsation
or charter from the State, District or Terrific
rial Councils. The officers Of the Grand Coun-
Gil of the United States are President, Vice
President Corresponding Secretary, Recording
Secretary Inside Sentinel, Outside Sentinel,
and CHAPLAIN, to be elected annually by ballot.
The order was originally called by its members,
9 The Sons of the Sires OF 49," but it was re-
organized in june 1854, and was then called
The Supreme 0rderof the Star-Spangled Ban
ner," which name, however, is only made
known regularly to the members who have talk
en- the highest degree in the order.
The Grand Council Of the United States
claims jurisdiction over all the States, Districts.
and Territories Of the United States. Strictly a
person, to become a member of any subordi-
nate Council, must be 81 years of age, believe
in the existence of a God; he must be a natipe
born citizen, a protestant born Of protestant pa
rents reared under protestant influence; and not
united in marriage with Roman Catholic But
these stringent provisions may be modified in
the subordinate Councils in eny manner to pro-
mote the interest of the order, but no member
who has Ronan Catholic rife shall be eligible
to any office in the order
The object of this organization shall be to re-
sist the insdious political foreign influence Of
the Church of Rome, and all other foreign in
tlnence against the institutions Of this country,
by placing in all offices in the gift OF the people,
or by appointment, none but aative born pro-
tcstaats.
The Grand Council is composed of thirteen
delegates from each State and five from each
Territory, to be chosen 6y tie Statcor Territorial
Councils, and each State shall be entitled to cast
the same number Of votes as it has members in
Congress.
The Grand Council shall establish all signs,
grips, passwords, and such other secret tcoYk, as
may seem to it necessary and decide upon all
matters pertaining 10 national politics adopt ca
balistic characters for the use of the order. de-
termine mode Of furnishing delinquent men,
bers, and to adopt any and every measure to
secure the success Of the organization. 1t shall
hear and determine appeals from State Coun-
ellis, and shall lay tax on the State and Ter
ritorial Councils for its support.
STATE CoUNcIIs.--These are composed OF re-
representatives. from the subordinate Councils.
elected for term of years. The officers are the
same as in the Grand Council, with the addi-
ton Of Marshal. The President amongst 9th
er powers may grant dispensations to form sub
ordinate councils whenever he maythink itadvi-
sable, upon the written petition OF five mem
bers. The duties Of the Secretary and Treasu-
rer may well be imagined This Council may
establish bylaws, try appeals from subordinate
Councils, may lay and collect tax on the sub
ordinate Councils, to pay its expenses.
SUBORDINATE CouNaLs.-These are such as
are now existing in this county, and are tribu-
taries to the State and Grand Councils. A per-
son to become member ought to be 81 years of
age, must believe in the existence Of Supreme
Being he must be a citizen, protestant, BORN of
protestant parents, reared under protestant inRu-
ence and not united in marriage with Roman
Catholic. Applicants for membership must be
rejected who have at leas; FIVE adverse votes
The officers are the same as in the State Coun-
ell with the addition of an Instructor and
must have attained to the second or highest de-
gree. Each subordinate Council makes its own
bylaws, and its periodical report Of members.
&C., to the State Council, which reports to the
Grand Council.
There are three obligations or oatls and t,oo de-
grces in the order. The candidate for member
ship places his hand on the Bible and the Cross,
when the Marshal administers the first obliga-
ton, in these words;
You do solemnly swear Cor affirm. upon
this Holy Bible and Cross before Almighty God.
and these Witnesses that you win not diyulge
any question now proposed to yon, whether you
become member Of this organization or not.
and that you will never under any circanstan-
ces mention the name Of any person or persons
you may see present, nor that you kqow such an
oIganization TO be in existence /; and that YOU
will true answer make to every question asked
yen to the best Of your knowledge and belief,
so help you God.p
He is then asked his age, and, IL be believes
in the existence of Supreme Being, if he was
born within the limits, or under the jurisdiction
Of the United States, if be is Roman CdtAolic
in religious Jelisfj If he has been reared under
protestant influence If either Of his porents was
Roman Catholic; if his rife is Roman Ca
tholici and if he is willing to use his influence,
and cote only for native born american citizens
for all offices Of honor or trust in the gift Of the
people, to the exclusion OF all foreigners and
dtsens, and ROMAN CATHOLICS MrARrcuLAi, and
without regard to party predictions. a
If the answers to these eight distinct Dues
tions are satisfactory he may be advanced to
what is in fact the first degree, improperly call
ed by many the second degree. This oath Is
administered regularly outside Of the Council
Chamber. A very small proportion Of the mem
beers ever take any other OATH But the more
aspiring must take the following oath IL he wish
to advance in the Jeauies Of the order.
Obligation Of the First Degree administered
by the President after the candidate has been
introduced within the.Council Chamber:
You and eaelrof you Of your own frec4wiII
anu hctofuj III Llc presence OF Almighty GOd
and these Witnesses, .your right hand resting on
this Holy Bible and Gross, and your left hand
raised towards Heaven, Tor II ii be preferred,
your len hand resting on your breast, and your
right hand raised towards Heaven, in token Of
your sincerity, do solemnly promise and swear,
Tor affirm, that you win not make known
TO any person or persons any Of the signs, Sc
crets mysteries, or oIjects Of this organization,
unless il be 10 those, whom after due cxamino-
ton, or lawful information, yon shall find 10