Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-02-04
Oaths and 0bIIEafiOns-A Distinction
without a Difference!

iuie W uehy C1aI Tue eFeflaSIng ringing OF
the changes on the impiety and improprie-
ty of oath-bound associations, has been of
inealculable service to them as party ma
neuVre. BY it they have succeeded in
prejndcing the minds of many sober and
godly-disposed persons against the prin,i-
pies of Americanism, who, viewing them
through an undistorted medium, would
have espoused them with fervor, but have
been deferred by the Pharisaical slang
whanging of these pious CD politicians. 1t
is one among the multiplied and Notifying
evidences which the times afford that the
Judgment of the masses is too often not
reached, or their conduct Influenced through
the appeals of reason, but rather by the
noisy clamor of the lusty-lunged demagogue.
The effectiveness of such tactics develops
a deplorable condition of the public intelli-
gence. 1t is, indeed, vexing and humiia-
ting to think that, in the midst of free
born, high-souled, sensible, reading Ameri-
can population, so transparent piece of
hypocritical demagoguery could have so
seriously impaired, in public favor, code
Of political principles which commend them
selves not only to the instincts of Ameri-
cans, but to their calm and deliberate judy
ments. 1t is, however, futile to deny the
fact that it has done SO. The opposition
are aware Of it. No occasion is emitted
to drag forth and dilate upon what they
are pleased to represent as "odious" fea-
lures in the government of the American
order. 1t is a most convenient and en-
gaging theme for their braZen-throated
Drawers. Finding they can successfully
attack the discipline of the American Par
ty, they have done so, but the Malakoff of
principle and sound conservative nationali-
ty still proudly towers skyward, impreg-
nable and unframed, and will remain so,
for its defences are truth and the true in
tereStS Of the country, which the returning
sober, second thought" will inevitably
maintain.
But are depressing from the main pur-
pose of this article, which was to cite at
tentiOn to the fact that the Union and
American was, perhaps, the first to com
mence these oath-denOuncing diatribes, and
then to make known a few private facts,
and follow them with few pertinent enqui-
ries. 1t is well known that, during lest
year, there was secret organization of
those who were opposed in politics to the
American Party, which had its origin in
the State of Ohio, and which, spreading
extensively through the German popula-
ton of that State, the members acquired,
in derision, the name Of Sag NIGHTS, the
German for Sag .NOthiAgs This Organi-
cation was properly called the Democratic
Republican Organization of Ohio a copy
of whose Constitution and bylaws we have
now before US, which copy was once in pos
Session of the Union and american Office
Yes, reader, if you can credit the astound-
ing fact, it was even so. This little docu-
ment, containing within its acknowledged
leaves the organic law of secret, political
association, has polluted, with its presence,
those immaculate walls which have so often
resounded with curses upon poor, oath
swearing, God-defying Americans. But
you will say that it was only held as a Gu
riosity, a damning something placed out Of
contact with orthodox works, which the
faithful could not look upon without
sense Of creeping horror. There GER
tainly could be no one there with sufficient
temerity to handle the unclean thing, much
less to read it. We are forced to say there
was, however, and on the authority of a
private gentleman to state that he was ap-
preached with the veritable copy now in our
possession, and to his knowledge two others,
and solicited TO meet at the Office of the
Uni0a and American, to assist in organi-
zing Council under this Constitution,
which was left for his perusal. He, being
at that time a member of the American
Party, of course declined TO meet, after
nightfall, with council of its enemies to
plot its overthrow. Now, the first ques-
ton we have to ask is, was the conductor
Of that paper cognizant Of these proceed
ings, and if such an organizationwas form
ed, was he present aiding and abetting, OF
did he actually participate! We presume
that he was, and that he did consent to
have his Office converted into den of sol
EMMY obligated TRAITORS" We will also
ask what was the obligation assumed by
the members5 For we find that section
2 Of article lst reads thus:
"2.-It shall be the head Of the organization
for the Staieof Ohio, aud shall liz and estab-
lish all Signs, Grips. Pass words Obligations,
Lectures, Charges, Qualifications for Member
ship, and all such work As may bO necessary
Gripsl signs! passwords leeturesl obliga-
tionslll all the paraphernalia Of inviOlable
secrecy. Tell US what was the 'set phrase"
Of that obligationl What did It bind you
to dor and what was the penalty of It's in
fractiong Were its injEnciions less solemn
or binding when assumed among gentlemen.
than an oath calling HeaVen-to witnessg
Is not the deliberate promise Of a man 81
honor, as sacred 10 him as his oath or his
bondg We certainly have thought so. and
regard a man under such an obligation as
inyiolahly bound to abide by il, as Il he had
sworn to do so in the presence Of angels
sent down for that special purpose. Here