Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-03
ike the se8ond oath, a part Of which j. as fol.

take the seccnd oath, part of which is as ioi'
lowsi
You win in all things political social 50 far as this
order is concerned connolly with the will Of the majority
when expressed in lawful manner though T" may eon
hict with your personal preference
We perceive as the members OF tins Order ad-
vance in degrees that they cease, IN correspond
ing proportion to be freemen, and are compelled TO
obey the commands OF a majority. The oath then
continues:
sYop urerin re promi and declare that you will not
vote nor give your influence for any man. for any Office in
the g of The people, unless be be American boz citizen
in fsycr Of Americans ruling America nor If lie be Ro
Catholic and that you will not under any
yeai tie sristsnee Of such an Organisation"
He then went on and stated that he would show
the process by which these secret concaues werecon-
vened for the purpose of dsposing of public bust
ness.
He then read as follows from their Constitution
Public notice for mass meetings is given by means OF
night angle triangular piece of paper, white in color
information wanted the object the gathering the
place, &e the inquirer will ask of undoubted brother
only, Have you SAN 20 day.? The reply viii be
Go TO - at - O'clock piece of paper, red in
color VIII signify suspected danger If the color is red
with equaeTs triangular piece cut out it will denote
actual trouble which requires that you come prepared 70
meet it. These notices or cabsstic signs posted up
thrown by the members by the direction Of the P
dent which required to be done between nidiss and
one hour before dGgbreak-'
From midnight to one hour before day-break, ia
X
st which bats retire to their hiding places and hye
mas go forth in quest Of dead bodies, upon which
TO prey. This is the party or order which assumes
10 take charge of the religion and politics of this
country. These the men who are to be seen
10 the night, some with, and others without, dark
lanterns, vending their way through alleys and
dark passages, with none but dim, glimmerng
lights to guide their steps to the places of their Sc
eret coRcdves, and there to determine upon the Te-
gion and politics of free people! He could not be-
Iieve that the freemen of Tennessee would ever
consgn their destines to the hands and care Of such
an Order Or party as that.
Gov. JOHNSON said that it was not his intention.
ashe had before remarked to interfere with any one
of the religious denominations of the country, but
TO leave them upon that basis where they had been
placed by the Constitution and law but he felt like
calling upon all religious denominations as well as
those outside of the church. to unite with him in
helping to expel from our midst this the greatest
Of all political heresies that have been attemp-
ted to be imposed upon free people. He called
upon them now, to at once disarm these ianizaran
cohorts or the day is not distant when they will
haveto prepare their necks for the bow-string and
the scimeter
-~Gov. Johnson continued, by saying that bis re-
\ marks had been intended on that occasion, more
for the purpose of presenting facts and some of the
positions he intended to occupy during the canvass
in obedience to the will of the people as reflected
luIOuSu lhtT OeitgdNtS IDaU 10 make
a regular speech. The very fact Of his being pre-
scented by them tbeirstandard bearer was strong
proof that they relied more upon the correctness
Of their principles and the business Of their cause
than in his ability to advocate them. In compl;- |
ance with what he believed was their wish be &C.
cepted their ensign upon which they had inscribed,
''the people capable of sell-government, and |
have the right and capacity to determine the aa-
tTe and character of their own institutions in the /
formation Of their State Constitution. Norelgious |
test a qualification TO Office All men have |
natural and indeeasib'e right to worship Almighty /
God according to the dictates of their own con- /
science" Freedom Of the press-iberty Of speech |
and the right of conscience
* These principles, inscribed by the people upon
their Standard, and by them placed in my hands,
said Gov. Johnsor,) shall be defended by me from
this day to the first Thursday in Adjustment, with
whatever of ability l may be possessed, physical
and mental ] intend to stand by them in the beat |
and the dustin the sun and the rain-though !
.iatigued and weaiieG, may become from the ar
'dlous task have undertaken yet will not shrink
iromit, though the sword Of my spirit cuts through
The scabbard
And in conclusion, lie said he would ask pa
uiots Of oil parties to stand by these great ptinc
dear to freemen, formidable to ty-
rants, and as enduring as time. Stand by them as
the ark of our safety-as the palladium ofour civil
and religions liberties; cling to them as the mariner
as the ship-wTeclled mariner clngs to the last Y
plank, when night and the tempest close around :
him. :