Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-05-12
Nationality of Amerioanism-Ritnd OF tho
Third Degree


press. to the obligations assumed by members of
the American party. in taking what i called 'ihe
third degree" and to the inoompatibility Of those
obligations with aboltionism or sectional aglta-
.;ou a, any character The anti American press
Of the South in publishing what pnrports To be
revelation Of the secret rites and pledges OF the
marty. take good care to leave out this taTd de-
g,ae tut within few DAYS past free SOIL anti
American paper Of Pittsburg has obtained aeei.
dental possession of copy oft and has madelt
nublic with view OF creating aprclddtee against
III, American movement with the abolitonists
disunioniSts aud agtatiors OF the North The
story is that it was among the contents OF lost
pocket book, which the finder placod in the
hnnds of the editor. Without commenting upon
,ho proprety of lis original publication, under
snch circumstances, desire 10 state that we
have reason for believing that the formula as
publshed by the Pitt sburg Gazette. and given
below is the true and genuine ritual of the Third
Degree. We submit il to the people of the South,
with tho inquiry WEATHER they Know any other
party that is willing to take upon itself, as rule
of action throughout the country, the conserya.
tive. tranquzing and national obligations here
prescribed. And we submit it to them whether
any party, willing thus to hind itself in the sight
of God and man. should not be sustained by all
who desire to secure the peace of the country aud
the perpetuity of the Union. Here is the docu
mcnt:
RITUAL OF THE THIRD DEGREE.
THIRD DEGREE COUNCIL.
The president administers TO the candidates
elect the following
OBLIGATION.
YOU and each of you. of your own free
will and accord, in the presence OF Almighty
God and these witnesses, with your hands joined
in token of that fraternal affection which should
ever bind together the States OF this Union, form
ing n ring in token of your determination thai,
as far as your efforts can avail this mon shall
have no end, do solemny and sincerely swear
Tor affirm that YOU will not, under any cIrcum-
stances, disclose in any manner, nor suffer II 10
be done hv others If in your power to prevent IT.
the name, signs, passwords, or other secrets OF
this Degree, except to those to whom you may
prove on trial to be brothers of the same Degree,
or in open Council for the purpose OF instruction;
that YOU do hereby solemnly declare your devo-
ton 10 the Union of these States; that in tho
discharge of your duties AS American citizens
YOU will uphold, maintain and defend 1t that
you uM discourage and discounfendnce any and
ereru attempt coming from any and treay quar-
ter irhich you beiiepe 10 be designed or cdicnfd
ted 10 dssfrou or subptrt IL, or TO toedken IT'S
bonds: and that you uiH use yonr influence, as
far as in your potrer, in endeorortng 10 procure
an amicabie and equitable adjustment 81 all pc
Inieal discontents or differences, lrhich may
threaten its injury or orerthroW. You do further
promise and swear Tor AFFIRM that yon rW not
pote for any one 10 III any office Of honor, or pro
ft, or trust Of a poiticoi characters ~hom you
knoto or beiiere 10 be in fdror Of dissolution Of
the union Of these States, or trho IS endedrofing
TO produce that result; that you will vote Tor
and support for all political offices Sd or Union
l. 81, n,ln - .,
all others; that If it may be done consistently
with the Constitution and laws of the land, you
will when elected appointed To any official
station, which may confer on you the power To
do 50, remeps from office or place, all persons
lohom you know 6eiiere TO be m fdror Of a
dissolution Of the Union. or Irho are endtdror,ng
10 produce that result aud that IN no case you
tcW appoint such persons TO any political office
or place ,rSatepfr. All thus you promise and
swear Tor atfrn} upon your honor as American
citizens and friends of the American Union, TO
Sustain and abide by without any hesitation or
mental reservation whatever. You also promise
and swear (nr affirm that this. aud all other OBJ
legations which YOU have previon sly taken in this
Order, shall ever be kept sacred aud invioote.--
To all this YOU pied &c yoar lives, your fortunes,
and your sacred donors. So help you God and
keep you steadfast. Each one shall answer
II DOL
After the candidates have been instructed in
the following charge is given by the President
BROTHERS: 1t is with great pleasure that
congratulate you upon your advancement TO the
Third Degree of our Order The responsible
ties you have now assumed are serious and
weighty than those which preceded. and are com
mitted to such only as have been tried aud found
worthy. Our obligations are Intended as solemn
avowals of our duty to the land that gave us
birth to the memories of our fathers aud to the
happiness and welfare of our children. Conse-
Grating to your country spirit unselfish and II
fidelity like that which distinguished the patriots
of the Revolution, you have pledged your aid in
cementing the bonds of Union which we trust
will endure forever. Your department since your
initiation has attested your devotion to the prin-
ciples we desire TO establish; and has inspired a
confidence in your patriotism, of which we can
give no higher proof than your reception here
The dangers which threaten American Liberty
arise from foes without, and from enemies within.
The First Degree pointed out the source and ma
ture of our most imminent peril, and indicated
the first measure Of safety. The Second Degree
defined the nert means by Which. in coming time,
such assaults may be rendered harmless. The
Third Degree, which you hare just receiped, not
only reterates the lessons the other tioo, but it
is intended to apow and provide for a more re-
mote but no less terrible danger from domestic
enemies to our free institutions.
Our object is briefly this: To perfect an organ
ization modelled after that of the Constitution of
the United States, and coextensive with the con-
federacy; its objects and principles in all mat
ters Of national concern, to be uniform and iden-
tiesl, whilst in all local matters, the component