Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-11-28
CLAKKsHURG, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 2s, 1ess.
EB The editor of the "Age'' in speak.

A~-SANASSSAS"AA
So The editor Of the cage, in speak
ing of our article Of last week, on Sc
secret benevolent societies and knows
Nothingism, says: p.st 4
'flo the description of -the objects and
designs of the Masons, Odd Fellows, and.
Sons of Temperance, we have not word
to say, by way of objection" "a
We are glad of that; and as he is gems
orally believed TO be member of the
BODYBUILDING organization. he mast know
that sacA is NOT 't the description of the
objects and designs of Know-Nothing
ism, but that its '' objects and designs"
are to deceive and get the advantage Of
those who do not belong to the order.
which is criminal" and according to
the cage" should come under the con-
demnation of its editor. He, however,
further says:
eve are aware that the Register has
often charged Know-Nothingism of being
productive of falsehood, prescription,
strife, hatred and violence and we have
sought for the specifications in vain"
Now if the editor Of the " Age" really
has never seen the " specifications" it is
because he did not want to see them, and
for his especial benefit we will give few,
no: being willing to accept those with
which he attempts to direct the public
mind from the many proofs that exist Of
the falsehood, prescription, strife, ha-
tired and violence" of Know -Nothingism.
In proof of the falschood of Know No
thingism, or 90 the great American par
ty," as it is called, we will quote the fol-
lowing from the oath of the initiate, (good
authority, we hope. Mr.. CrihGeld, J
upon the first introduction of the order
into this country: The oaths, ritual, &c,
were changed several times, for which
change we hope we shall not be held ac>
countable.
C will never under any circumstances
eOhateOeT, mention the name Of any person
| may see present during any of the mee>
tings, or that know such an order TO be
in existence"
And the initiate was instructed by an
officer Of the Council that
If you were placed before a legal tri-
6unaL, and there S1V0r7a to tell the truth the
WHOLE TRUTH and nothing but the truth,
y0w could not for your LIFE, reveal the
names Of that band Of brothers, among
whom your name now stands enrolled"
So much for the oath and instructions ::
now for its practical workings. In a Sc
cret circular sent by Council No. 6, at
WelIsburg, Brooke county, Va," to the
other Councils in that district, the follow
ing advice is given
g. 1t may be proper in some places to
hold public meetings, and whenever it is
SO, such meetings should be held by us
AS CITIZENS, and nominate orr candidate :;
IN which meetings we ought to act our
selves merely AS CITIZENS. and to get all
other citizens possible to join as =; FOR SUCH
MOVE OF THE PEOPLE WILL HAVE THE Eff
Feet OF WITHDRAWING PUBLIC ATTENTION
FROM WHAT MAY BE SUPPOSED TO DE TIE
public meetings are held, OUR nominee,
being the nominee also OF these meetings,
will come out and accept the public nomi-
nation, AND THEREBY BECOME TIE PEopLE's
CANDIDATE all of which is esteemed by
the Committee as essential to our sue
cess. We sincerely hope that each Coun-
Gil will not only adopt oar plan, but also
that each will act promptly, and make re-
port of their action before the god Janua-
ry."
Here is bare faced and atrocous prac-
teal iaIsehood recommended to the breth>
rem. But this is neither all nor the worst
specification of the faIsehood of Know
Nothingism. From the published reports
OF the Middlesex Court of Common Pleas,
at Lowell, Mass, we make the following
extract from an account Of the examina-
ton of a witnesses named II. G. Snow
the whole report would take up too much
of the space in our paper.
L" Are you directly or indirectly con-
nected with a society popularity called
know-Nothings-I give it this name be-
cause l don't know its real name ?'' 81
am not connected with the society Of
know~Nothings." "Have you ever Join
ed any such secret society ?'' 81 have
not" Are you in any way connected
with society that has for any part of its
Objects opposition to aliens go 81 am
not"
After some further questions and an>
swers, the following occurred:
Q"eStion By Counsel" Have you been
in any way connected or do you now be-
long to any body Of men who are called
by any persons know>Nothings as a term