Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-03-22

tice If the opportunity be afforded me- They are
contained in a book, one copy of which is fur
nished to each Council. The q Instructor has
possession Of it and administers the oath from 1t,
but the members are not allowed to have It. 1
Cor tte same reason that Roman Catholic
p-;asts ,ese to let their members read the bible,
because they are too ignorant to read and under
stand it. thought it strange that they as an or
der should adopt course they so much dsappro-
we'd in others. - s1
The candidate is first proposed by member OF
the Order, to the Council without his knowledge
Three negative votes black balls him.. If elected
he is secretly requested to present himself in the
anti room of the Council, when an officer appears
from within and administers to him the following
oath -
81 do solemnly swear upon this sacred
volume Cor cross) before Almighty God and these
witnesses, that will not divulge any question
proposed to me here, whether become member
of the order or not, and that will never under
any circumstances whatever, mention the name OF
any person may see present during any OF the
proceedings or that know such an Order to be
In existence, and that viii give true answer to
any question asked of me, so help me God.
Which being taken by the candidate, the officer
proceeds to PROFOUND the following interrogations,
before reporting to the Council his fitness for init
alton:
l. What is your nane2 2 What is your age
8. Where is your residence A. In your religious
belief are you a Roman Catholic 5. Where were
you born 2 6. Where were your parents born
I. Is your wife Roman Catholic 2 8. Did either
of your ancestors take part in the American Rev
olution2 Are you willing to use all the influence
you possess in favor of Native born American
citizens for all offices of honor, trust, profit in
the gift of the people; and do you promise to
vote for them TO the exclusion of all aliens and
foreigners, and Roman Catholics in particular for
all State, or government Offices 10. Who invi-
ted you to be present on. this occasion
IF the candidates answers are satisfactory to
these questions, he is taken in the Council by two
officers, led up to the President OF the Council,
who administers tie following oath in the first de-
gree
d, voluntarily nd freely do solemnly
promise and swear before Almighty God and these
witnesses around me assembled, that l viii not,
under any circumstances whatever, divulge or
make known to any person or persons. either
directly or indirectly, or to any human being other
than those I shall know to be good aud true mem
bcrs of this Order, the name, secrets, mysteries,
or objects of the same, or cause or allow the same
to be done by others, if within my power to pre-
vent the same. Binding myself rnder the no
less penalty than that of being excommunicated
from the order, and having my name posted and
circulated throughout the different Councils Of the
Order, as a traitor and perjurer to both my God
81 n bain xfrf, IN he ern
ployed, entrusted, countenanced, or supported in
any business transaction whatever. and as a per-
son totally unworthy eff the confidence OF al GOOD
men. az. one at whom TIE finger Of scorn shall
ever be pointed. furthermore premise that if
should hereafter te expelled from, or voluntarily
leave this Order will consider this obligation as
binding out Of It as in it. All Of which foregoing
voluntarily and freely subscribe tc, h,lp me
Godi"
The President theu addresses the new members
as follows:
ssMy Brothers-The Order which has now re-
ceived you as members, may with all propriety
be considered secret organization. 1t is so Sc
cret in fact, that if you placed before legal
tribunal, and there sworn to tell the truth, the
whole TRUTH and nothing but the truth, you could
not for your lives reveal the name of that band Of
brothers among whom your name now stands en-
rolled and further than this, when you retire
from this meeting, you viii return to your family
and friends as ignorant when you came, SO far
the name Of this Order is concerned.
g In common with ourselves you ss Know Moth
ing" and let it be your stern resolve through life
to Know Nothing that will at all confiictssi
the high and exalted duties you to your God,
sFour country, and yourselves. SO far as regards
alone be secured to ourselves and our children by
the entire and absolute exclusion of all foreign in
fuence in those matters which appertain to our
government policy.'
After the delivery of this address, the candidate
is referred to the Instructor who teaches him the
signs and grips and in what manner to obtain en-
trance into the Council. He is then Master of the
first Degree, and signs his name to the register.
after which the following oath rs taken:
!, do solemnly promise and swear be-
fore Almighty God, and these witnesses, that
viii not. under any circumstances, divtage or make
known the name Of this Order, or its objects to any
person or persons in the world, unless to those
whom Imay know to belong to this Order, in good
and regular standing.
And furthermore promise and swear that
wi neither write, print, paint, cut carve engrave,
enbross, stamp, stain or mark any secrets of this
ofder on anything movable or immoyeable on
the ear'h or the sea, whereby said secrets or any
part tnereoi the name of the Order its operations.
the narnes OF Its officers or the names of its men,
cers, or It's place OF meeting, may become known