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

person or persons, any Of the signs, asrreUSs
mysteries or objects of this sorganizs.ionrunrd
ess il be to those whom, after dBe exeminar,
ion or lawful Information, you shall md n
De members Of this organizations IN good
standing; that you will not cot, carve Pfintfs
paint, stamp. stain, or in any way, dlreeilyst
Or indirectly, expose any Of the, seereta oEss
objects Of this order, nor suffer il to be- done
by others, il in tour power to prevent IT, nn<
less il be for official instruction; that 90 3ohes
as you are connected with this organizatiamBi
if not regularly dismissed from it you will in,t
all things POLITICAL or SOCIAL. SO far as this =,
order is concerned, comply with the will OF
the majority when expressed in alawful maf-e
ner, THOUGH IT MAY coKFLicTs wiTREoukis
PERSONAL PREFERENcE, SO long as II does not
conflict with the Grand, State, or Subordi- a,
nate Constitutiens-the Constitution or Che
United States Of Americr, or that OF the
State in which you reside; and that you Nilash
not,under any circumstances whHtever,knowsa
ingly recommend an unworthy person for in:.
tiation, nor suffer it to be done if in your
power 10 prevent IT, You furthermore pfo-s
mise and declare, that you will not vote fof4i
nor give your influence for any man, for anY,sa
office in the gift of the people, unless he be-
an American born citizen in favor Of Amer
lean born citizens ruling America-nor II he
be Roman Catholic; and that you wilinotsss
under any circumstances, expose the namesk
of any member of this order--nof reveal the "a
existence of such organization.
To all the foregoing you bind yourself,.'
under the no less penalty of that Of beiHgfs
expelled from this order, and of having yours
name posted and circulated throughout the
different councils Of the United States, asa
perinrer and as q traitor to God and your
country, as being unfit to be employed, en- q
trusted, countenanced or supported in anyaoi
business transactions, as person totally uu-y
worthy the confidence Of all good men-and
as one at whom the finger of scorn should
ever be pointed-so help you God" '-i"-' ''I..A
Sir, it is complained against the Jesuit =
that he renders tip to his superior his perscn-.
al right to think, act, and speak for himself. .
Admit it for the sake Of this argument. But
what, sir, is the character of this oath! ! =
have just read to you the party is requiredto'!
swear of his own free will that he "will IN
all things, political or social, SO far as this a.
order is concerned. comply with the 'will'of
the majority, though it may conflict with mis-
personal eference"-demanding from tho I
outset, of their members, an absolute and"
sci vile surrender of their own free viii andls
choice. 7@'" - w
Who, sir, could subscribe such an oath,
selling his right to think for himself whoxisi
not already sunk to the lowest depths Of huA.
man depravity They are also required to"
swear, sir, that they will not make known
the secrets of the order, or the name Of anys
person belonging to it, or Of the existenceoE
the organization, or the objects of ites Cans
YOU see, sir, any parallel in this clause witks
the oath Of the Jesuit! And fortwhat bon+'
est purpose, sir is this secresy imposed a--I'
We have alwuysin this free country, BELIEVES
ed in publishing our political views and opin-9
ions, that men could judgelus fairly; but
here, sir, we see party conceahng their
opinions from those whose patronage they;
solicit; and why, if they have honests plansa
and motives, should they thus SEEK unders
the binding obligations ofthis "higher law"
: to conceal them from the knowledge Of menag
can tell you, sir, one motive. II rs to-
get the votes of men under false Pretense;s
for it is no less maxim in morals, than IN ]
law, that the suppression of truth is. equiy-ss
: alenl to the perpetration of a falsehood.s
They know, sir, if they were to disclose the. I
+ fact that they had taken such vile oath,
/. they would lose the votes Of plain. honest.
men, who are opposed to intrigue and dOuble
: dealing, and also of the poor foreigners fof'
e whose persecution they are banded together:
;, But we have seen them imposing upon the
h foreigner, by denying their connection with
,s this cxecrable band, and receiving hsSota.s
ts Yes, sir, it is part of their oath to conceaF
~ the truth, or, in other plain words they swear
,f that if the question be asked them. whether
:. they or q neighbor belong to. the Orders thaf
or they will deny it. ea u as5'fe74 ,Fassa ss',
70 How does this morality compare with the h
n Jesuit! Again, sir, If these same were e g
. steal penknfe, they would be deemed II
i, law and morals as felons; but ingetting the
r. suffraces of men under these false pretences,
the law may not condenn them; but 4st e t1nel
Of are guilty Of greater crime than petty Alar'
ov cenv. 1t is obtaining under false pretense
~. when they bind themselves to make the votes
Il of men who would not vote for them, # they
hat Ike honest men, would declare their plat
80 m form, and avow their connection. -
~ r Again, sir, they are required to swear the
s,i they will not support any person for once
;na he be Roman Catholic! Sir, the constlt!u
, n i ton of this State provides that aThe IRE IRE
de. exercise and enjoyment Of religious pr0fe.
NV. sion and worship, without discrimination ! 3 !,
and preference, shall forever be allowed in ! thl
anv State to all mankind" .;.
nav 1t also provides the form and substances
to the oath of office as follows II DO soielmnl tln
mo- " swear that will support the co nstitutio y
ate. Of the United States; aud the Constitute
Of the State Of New York; and that lss'l W
tbev faithfully discharge the duties Of the omce'
ean- - according to the best q my aDiiisy y
sir and then it adds, sir, that "no oath deeiaf s
viii tion or test shall be required y quallilc
ore ton for Office Of public trust NOW, = ~, 7,
nor shall be pointed out, TO be prescribed 8, 9
! he voted down because may be 4 Cstho,lc "
ha because /, sir, ike freeman claimthe oe g
:, ,b;s constitutional guarantee % sht