The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-03-28
Know-Nothing Expose.

We find in an exchange the following
=" exposure" of the latest form of Know.
Nothingism-or what purports to be
such. We give it for what it is worth,
not attaching much Importance to any
such pretended revelations.
Mr.. EDITOR Something new has
just come to light in our quiet village
concerning the Know Nothings" and
their midnight doipgs.
A novice in the order has let the new
cat out Of bag, in other words, has OK.
posed the new work and signs solemnly
put forth at the late session of the Ma.
tional Grand Council, in Cincinnati.
1t is briefly this, with the exception of
the obligations and charges which arc
too long to be remembered 6y the init.
atcd.
After being proposed and elected. the
candidate is informed by letter signed
g X. n" where to go, and is met in a
dimly lighted ante.room by the Worthy
Interrogator," (who is disguised aud
masked, as is also tho "Outside
Guard.) by whom he is sworn and ques.
toned on his oath as to his birth place
and whether he will obligate himself
never to -ote for foreigner or Roman
Catholic.
If the answer is not satisfactory, he is
dismissed, without being any wiser as to
who invited him there, or whom he met
there, or who was inside. Such is the
secrecy Of their preliminary steps.
IL the answers are satisfactory, he is
blind-folded and taken into the main
room, where he is questioned by the
President, who then administers long
obligation to him. the candidate repeat.
ing the words, and having one hand rest
ing on an open Bible and tie other on
the Constitution of the United States
This is done in perfect silence. and if
at any time the candidate objects to pro.
ceeding, be is taken to the ante-room by
the " lnterrogator" (who is still disguis.
ed)without having seen any one whom 10
knows.
If he gees through with the obligation
be is then admonished by the President
and thereupon the bandage is removed
and he finds himself in n brilliantly
lighted room, surrounded by many ofhi
friends aud acluaintanccs.
He is then conducted to the eco opera.
tors chair" by whom he is instructed in
the secret work of the order as follows:
At the outside, one heavy rap follow
ed by two light ones.
QUEsTIoN--by "Outside Guard"
through the wicket" Who comes 2"
ANSWER" Nobody"
QuEs -" Where from2"
Ans" Nowhere"
QuEs.-" What do you want7"
Avs" Nothing"
This admits to the auteroom. At
the next door two heavy raps and one
light one.
QUEs,-" How did you got here 2"
ANS" Regularly"
QuEs.-" Can you go further2'
Ans" Yesn
QUEs.-" Howl"
ANS" Through my pass"
QUEs-" Give It,"
ANS" My Country"
Being admitted he proceeds to the
centre of the room and salutes the Pres
ident with shake of the head. signify
ing Know Nothing" which is ans
wered by the President pinching bis owl
lips together with the thumb and fore
finger, signifyipg don't tell if you do.
Recognition is given by slightly rails
ing the hat or cap in front with the right
hand, which is answered in the same way
The grip is given by the ordinary
shake and inserting the little finger be
tween the last two fingers Of the one yor
meet, followed by the interrogation "ar'
you right1"
Ans" Nothing elsa"