Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-07-25

reasons for doing, and on their being assigned
was told they did not form ustiiable cause for con-
scientous scruples; therefore it was not probable
that could withdraw. Not willing that they should
Judge my conscience or be the keepers OF 1t, re-
Joined with that Independence and Indignation which
any freeman ought to feel, coupled with threat,
which changed the tone very suddenly, and was
told that might withdraw, but others could not
that several had tried in Raleigh and been refused,
which fact had learned before Perhaps you say.
"Then I would care nothing about withdraWa!-l
would break off and act the part of free citizen
and vote as please" So would I but in dong
that you would incur penalty which the clrcum-
stances of many will not allow, and nothing but the
independence of an American citizen would enable
him to bear. This is the penalty: To be expelled
from the Order; to have your name posted and cir
culated throughout the different councils as per-
jurer and traitor to God and your country; be-
ing unfit to be employed entrusted, countenanced
or supDorted any transaction OF business whatever
as a person totally unworthy the confidence of all
good men, and as at whom the finger of scorn
should ever be pointed
Now. lust imagine yourself man in INDECENT
circumstances, with wife and children dependent
on you for their support and you should be located
where this Order embraced large majority of the
people, what greater coercion could be offered than
the combined action of this Order to force you to
surrender your rights and privileges as a freeman,
Notwithstanding you were told in the outset that
of your constitutiona1rght should be abridged
and nothing demanded of you that would conflict
with your duty to yourself your family, your God
ciples be tolerated by Americans citizens together
with persecution and religious intolerance?
was not at Laws store the 14th inst, when
Mr.. Rayner made political speech; but learn he
said that any person who made any disclosures In
reference to this organization before the meeting of
the Philadelphia Convention which removed the OBJ
legation of secrecy, forsworn and vile perJur-
ed man which declaration he and his coadjutors
may settle among themselves. I will mention sin
gle fact in the obligation of the first degree, which
forbids the members to mention the name OF any
person that may be seen in the organization, and
binds them not even admit that they know of the
existence of any such organization but notwit1-
standing this it was currently reported that ii. w.
Miller ESQ.,, in his Norfolk speech last spring, just
before the Virginia election said the order did exist
and that he had taken all three of its degrees, and
went on, according to report to speak of the char
acter of the organization Now, whether Mr.. Rayn-
intended to impcate Mr.. Miller or not, is not for
me to say. have always looked on Mr. Miller as
quite a gentleman, but if he done these things 1T
was certainly disclosure. recolect again, in Ra
leigh, at May Court, Mr.. Rayner was standing in
front of the Court House door, with considerable
crowd around him, and was speaking of the organ
zation very freely saying he belonged to it. talking
about the National Convention and of Wilson and
others as belonging to the Order, &c. don't know
whether he considers that disclosure or not, but
it was before the meeting of the Philadelphia Con-
vention.
The organization is in its infancy. How could it
have grown up so fast had not its members circua-
ted its existence very industriously? There are
many persons in this county that have been consult
ed in reference to joining and told where they could
go to find the order. Now if Mr.. Rayner goes on
at this rate he will impcate his brethren very
strongly. 1t don't make so mnch difference about
the language used, so that you convince the mind
ola fact. Under the secrecy of this order there
were convincing facts that these persons belonged
to it and knew that it existed According to Mr..
Rayner these violated their obligation and stand
charged with perjury, while his own testimony
places himself in the same position How will the
brotherhood take that? My opinion is little differ
ent from Mr.. Rayner's 1 think, after seeing the
corruption and fraud of the order, compliance and
action with it is worse perjury than any revelation
they can make.
JAMES A. HICKS.
Wake Co., July q, 1855.
II use the word dsayow' in the Webster gives it,
viz To deny dsown, reject, dsclam-to disavow party
principles to dissent FROM not to admit true
ustable 10 vindicate, when government dsowns
The act of its agents.