Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-29
THE THIRD DEGREE. "

W. min, ,h. know nothing third degree to-day.
Tho ,oaoon WIN we print it is that, in denying the
.r,.h of rpmor that we had refused to prin it as
g paid. for advertisement, short time snce we SAID
that if any know nothing would pay for its pub
LEGATION, we should be happy to crafty him. On
Friday. we were authorized to publish it and
charge it as an advertisement to the Banner Office.
We could not conveniently print it on Sunday
morning, but now print it.
As we have before remarked, our only reason for
not publishing this reputed third degree was that
we had no evidence of its authenticity. The first
two degrees, as published by us, were taken from
the official know nothing Blue Book, and we know
them to be genuine. We have nothing but know
nothing authority for the authenticity of this.
They swear not to reveal the obligations of their
order" And it was rather a more charitable
supposition to think that know nothings were
humbugging the people by the publication of
fictitious degree than that they were violating
their oaths by revealing a secret.
But let all that pass, and supposiug this third
degree to be genuine: What does it amount to-
Literally nothing Members who take the third
degree are required to support the Union. Each
one, of course, construes this pledge to suit him
self The aboli;ionists declare that the Union can
only be supported by abolishing slavery, and will
tell you that the third degree requires him to Ia
Dor for the abolition of slavery so as to save the
Union. Thus, since the third degree aoas adopted,
the State Know Nothing Convention of New
Hampshire has adopted the following resolution
"Resolped, That, as a political party, pledged
10 regard and watch over the best interests of
the whole Union and to labor for its integrity and
perpetuity, we soemnly protest against the repeal
of the MISSOURI Compromise, the Kansas Nebraska
BILL and the fugitive slave law, violations of the
spirit of the constitution, aud TENDING to DIS
UNION and the destruction of the free institutions
of the country"
Thus, the New Hampshire know nothngs de-
clare that the fugitive slave law and the Kansas
Nebraska act TEND TO DISUNION, and, so be-
li.ving the third degree oath binds them to attempt
to repeal those acts.
If this third degree is of any Consequence at all,
it is trick and trap for the South. 1t is not
pretended that any know nothing is required to
takethis degree He stop with the ID fhe pleas
e. And he will not if he IS an sbolitionst, take the
third degree, if he CONSTITUTES it into denial of bis
right to agitate the slavery question. But be will
not be likely thus TO construs it, He will no doubt
look at it in this light: The know nothing osths
bind the members, in all things political and social,
to be governed by the majority. The know moth
ing grand council may resolve that the fugitive
slave law ought to be repealed. Suppose the
South threatens that she will resist such action
Southern klosg noHlings could not threaten thus
They are sworn to be governed by the majority
and the majority is il toe North. Massachusetts,
may nuify the fugitive slave law, and Congress
may repeal it. But Tennessee know nothngs
could not open their mouths They must grin and
bear it. They are sworn to be governed by the
Considering the msjority of know nothings are in
the North, this third degree, iftaken by the South
is an oath to submit to any thing even to the alb
olitien of slavery. The idea of Southern men en-
tering into compact with Northern abolitionists,
and sealing the compact with an oath, not that the
slavery question shall not be agitsted and the rights
Of the South maintained but that, come what will,
the South will INCREASINGLY submit, absolutely hor
rible. 1t is Sampson, not carelessly lying down
in the lap of Delah, but Sampson holding out his
hands to the Philstines, and begging his enemies
TO bind them and place resistance out Of his power
Our readers will remark that there is no pledge
in this degree to resist the slavery agitation And
we regard the holding it out as a security to the
South, as the weakest and most contemplate of all
the know nothing humbugs