The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-02-28


~ felisiOus profession h il, o. = It no
practically nulIi[ying the constitution BY ma
hing and requiring tests Unknown to that in
s,rumsnti : Again, sir, this Know Nothing
eaths 20 hostile to the spirit of our free re-
publican eonstitution-requires Of the mem
betS who take Il, absolute seryility and sls-
vlsh covering obedience to the will of its
mAjorky-hnd IL any man shall have the
nSsal sad mental independence think and
set for himself, what is the penalty he must
SF-why. SIR. no less than being branded
"ss aperiurer, and As q traitor to God and
hia eountry-as being unfit to be employed,
snirnsted, countenanced or supported in any
busihess transsctions;-as q person totally
unworthy the confidence Of all good men,
and a. one at whom the finger of scOrn
should ever be pointed" And for what sir,
are ell these dire curses, pains, penalties and
prescriptions to be denounced against him,
Why Is he to be hunted down, moi only in his
politics, but 10 his business and social rela-
tons, like an outcast aRd a felon ! Simply
because he has heart too free to become
the servile, slimy instruments in the hands
efa band Of periured traitors to the consti-
tutioh and laws Of this countryI Because.
cir, he has the vital energy Of freeman TO
think and act for himself and renounce his
eonnection with SO corrupt, intoleront and
despotic band Of reckless men Sir, when
the country comes to understand the charac-
ter and objects Of this political Juggernuut,
and see and learn, sir, that in the hands Of
these reckless men, it is to be made use to
crush the beat men in our Safe and country
not 10 correct great political evil-but to
build up one more dangerous to our free in
stitutions than the open hostility of all the
dsspotisms in the world-the people will be
auszed, astounded and alarmed--and hops
and trust. sir, that the day has already dawn
Cd when the spirit Of Young America, arous.
Cd to just sense of this dark stain upon its
hitherto fair name, will rise in the power Of
truth and justice and human liberty, and OBJ
literate from existence this prospective and
intolersnt, secret inquisition-an inquisition,
Dir, which requires its members to take an
oath that they will deny and suppress the
truth-for they are required to swear in the
presence of Almighty God that they will not
disclose the name OF any member, or the fact
Of the existence Of such reorganization. -
30 that if ask ked the question whether there
10 such an organization they must, by the re.
quirements of their oath, tell falsehood and
deny it--and this organization is got up, as
it 10 said, sir, to protect American interest
Has it come to this, sir, that American in.
terests require falsehood and perjury, and
prescription, intolerance and persecution 10
defend them Forbid it just heaven, and
save our beloved country from such defend
ere a. these!
But, sir, will now pass from this brief
review Of the first lesson in the Know-Noth-
ing creed Of morals and politics, and read
ths platform Of those who, by their faithful
sdherenss to the first oath, have entitled
themselves TO the honor Of second and
higher step in the same direction-and here
again, sir, call upon the high priests of this
exemplary band of men to deny it if they
can that what am about to read is not the
form and substance of their oath. But re.
member, as they have the evidence to contra
dict it, If not, if they do not produce it ant
read il to this House. they must abide by tn,
legal inference from the fact in the case
to Wit, that they cannot prove this documen
spurious BY producing the genuine to contra
Diet! ! will proceed to read it as follows
"You and each Of you. of your own fire,
will and accord, in the presence of Almgh
y God and these witnesses, your left haRt
resting on your right breast, and your righ
Aand extended to the flag of your country
DO solemnly and sincerely swear that you
will not, under any circumstances, disclose
in any manner, nor suffer it to be done
by others, if in your power to prevent
Il, the name, sign, passwords, or other Sc
cfets Of this degree; that you will in oil
things conform to ali Tie rules and regula-
tions Of this order, and to tns constitution
and bylaws of this or any other Council to
which you may be attached, so long as they
DO not conflict with the constitution of the
United States, nor that of the state in which
you reside; that you will under all circum-
staaces. II in your power SO to do, attend to
eli regular signs and summons that may be
shown or sent to you by brother of this or
sny other degree of this order; that you will
support in all political matters, for all polit-
ical Offices, the second degree members of
this order, provided it be necessary for the
American interests; that if it may be done
legally, when elected to any office, remove
oil foreigners, aliens or Roman Catholics
from Office, and that you will not appoint
soeh to ofice--all this you promise and de-
clare on your honor as Americans, to sustain
and abide by without any hesitation or men.
tal reservation whatever, SO help you Goo
and. keep you steadfast!"
One word Of comment, sir, upon this oath:
il, like the first one, requires that its mem
bsrs shall "0f their own Tree will swear e
conceal even the name Of the order, and o
course must, If asked the question. either Iii
sr break their oath. IF they break thei
oath, they must loose their standing in thi
sisiuops body. If they perpetrate false
hood and keep their promise, then they ar
entitled to remain in good standing, and en-
joy ali the rights and privileges Of the order
Will any body tell me, what there is in Jes
ATTAIN, 90 low and base, and deprsyed ant