Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1855-09-15
THE MYSTERY OF KNOW NoTH1NGIsM

The organization Of the Know Nothing, o,
selfstylcd American Party consists of the Grand
Council of the United States of North America
State, District, Or Territorial Councils for eacl
State, District and Territory of the Union, and
Of subordinate Councils for each town, county,
or other locality deriving their dispensation
or charter from the State, District, or Terrific
rial Councils. The officers Of the Grand Coun-
ell 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,
The Sons Of the Sres of '76jn but twas re-
organized in June 1854 and was then called
The Supreme orderof the Star-Spangied BAN
ner," which name, however, is only made
known regularly TO the members who have taxi
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 God he must bea ndtire
born citizen, 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 any manner to pro-
mote the interest Of the order, but no member
who has Roman Catholic eve shall be eligible
TO any Office in the order.
The object Of this organization shall be to re-
sist the insidious political foreign influence of
the Church of Rome, and all other foreign in
fluence 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
fesfdats.
The Grand Council is composed of thirteen
delegates from each State and five from each
Territory, to be chosen By the State or Trritorial
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 srork, us
may seem to it necessary; and decide upon all
matters pertaining to national politics adopt ca
balistic characters for the use of the order, de-
termine mode Of furnishing delinquent mem
bers, and to adopt any and every measure to
secure the success Of the organization. II shall
hear and determine appeals from State Coun-
ellis, and shall lay tax on the State and Ter
ritorial Councils for its support.
STATE CouNcus.-Thcse 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-
tion Of a Marshal. The President amongst 9th
er powers may grant dispensatons to form sub
ordinate councils whenever he maythink itadvi-
sable, upon the written petition of five men,
bers. The duties of the Secretary and Treasu-
rcr 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 CoUScns.--These are such as
are now existing in this county, and are tribu-
sarios to the State and Grand Councils. A per-
son to become member ought to be q years of
age, must believe In the existence Of a Supreme
Being; he must be a citizen, protestant, born Of
protestant parents, reared under protestant isa-
enee, and moi united IN marriage with Roman
Catholic Applicants for membership must be
rejected who have at least FIVE adverse votes.-
The officers arc The same as in the State Coun-
Gil with the addition OF an Instructor and
must have attained TO the second or Aiqhea de
gree. Each subordinate Couneilm makes lis own
bylaws, and is periodical report of members,
&c, TO the State Council, which reports to the
Grand Council.
There are three obligations or oaths, and teo de-
grees in the order. The candidate for member
ship places his hand on the Bible and the Gross,
when the Marshal administers the first obliga-
ton, in these words:
" You do sOlrmnly swear (or affirm upon