The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-10-25
II)e Gctil lubio.
E.LKTON, OCT. 20, 1856.

N-J~At the late Buchanan meeting at Port
Deposit. Mr. Robert McI.ane took it upon
himself to dcnounce Willard Fillmore as
.pcriurcd villain" and other hard names, for
having taken the Third Degree of the Amerl.
can Order He. also, applied the same sort
of cpithrs to all other men who have taken
that degree This is the same Bob Mcl.anc
who denounced Gen. Scott as a coward, &C.,
when he was Il candidate for the Presidency.
a number of the citizens of Port Deposit
anil its ncighborhood have requested us to
publish the Third Degree, referred to, in
order that those who are unacquanted with
1t may ste its import. 1t has been published
10y order Of the National Council; it has also
been published by enemies of the Order, who
stole it for that purpose. Those who have
seen it as publish in either case will re-
cognse the following as correct copy.
How Bob McLane makes a 'perjurcd
villan'' of any man for taking that degree is
more than we can discover. The reader will
see that the object of that degree was to
preserve and pcrpctuate this American Union
to preserve the integrity and Constitution
Of the United States intact and inviolatc.-
And it is for this principle that the degree is
t,d-that the American Order is hated and
that Willard Fillmore is hated by such men
as Bob McIanc, who are diSunionists at
heart, and who, like Brooks and keitt, Of
South Carolina, would have avowcd it before
Ia. = Il, had hnn,, rr,iI Of
the popular feeling in Maryland.
But we publish the Degree that the people
of the Seventh District may see the etlrontcry
and scoundrclisn of the man who denounced
Miiiard Fillmore as q 'perjured villain for
having taken it. Citizens of Cccil-fricnds
of our glorious Union-we call on you to
take notice Of what is passing around you:-
OBLIGATION.
You. and each of you, of your own free
will and accord. in the presence of mighty
Gnd and these witnesses, with your hands
joined in token of that tratcrna affection
which should ever bind together the States
Of this Union-ior,nins ring, in token OF
your determination that, 50 far as your efforts
can avail, this Union shall have no cnd-do
solcmnly and sincerely swear cor afrm,)
that you will not under any circumstances
disclose in any manner, nor suffer it to be
done by others II in your power to prevent
it, the name: signs, passwords or other
secrets Of this Degree, except to those Of
whom you may prove on trial to be brothers
ui the same Be@rce, or in open Council for
the purpose Of instruction. that you do hereby
s"lcnniy declare your devotion to the Union
Of these States: that in the discharge Of your
duties as American citizens, you will uphold.
maitan and defend it; that you will dis
courage and dscountcnance any and every
attempt coming from any and every quarter,
which you believe to be designed or cal
cuiatcd to destroy, or subvert it, OF to weak
en- its bonds; and that you will use your
influence, as far as in your power, in en-
dcavOring TO procure an alnicablc and cquit
able adjustment of all political diScontcuts
or differences, which may threaten its injury
or overthrow. You do further promise ard
swear COR atlrm.) that you will not vote for
any one to ill any Office of honor, profit, or
trust of a political character, whom YOU
know or believe to be in favor Of dissolu-
ton OF the Union OF these States, or who is
cndcavoring TO produce that result; that YOU
will vote for, and support for all political
Offices Third, or Union Degree members of
this Order, in preference to all others; that
if it may be done consistently with the Con-
stiuton and laws Of the land, you will, when
elected or appointed to any official station,
remove from office place, all persons
whom you know or believe to be in favor of
dissolution of the Union, or who arc en-
deavoring to produce that result; and thatyou
will in no case appoint such persons to any
political office or place whatever. All this
you promise and swear (or aiiirm:) upon your
honor as American citizens and friends Of
the American Union, to sustain and abide by
without any hesitation or mental reservation
whatever. You also promise and swear, cor
affirm, that this, and all other obligations,
which you have previously taken in this
Order, shall ever be kept sacred and invio-
late. To all this you pledge youl lives,
Your fortunes, and your sacred honors. So
help you God and keep you steadlast.
The above is the Obligation taken by
members Of the Third Degree. The fol low
ing is the charge to initiated members given
by the President of the Council:
Brothers: 1t is with great pleasure that l
congratulate you upon your advancement to
the Third Degree of our Order. The re-
sponsibilitcs you have now assumed, are
more serious and weighty than those which
preceded, aid are committed to such only as
have been tried and found worthy. Our
obligations are intended as solemn avowals
of our duty to the land that gave us birth; to
the memories Of our fathers; and to the hap
pincss and welfare Of our children. Consc-
Grating to your country aspirlt unselfsh, and
u fidelity like that which distinguished the
patriots Of the Revolution, you have pledged
your aid in cementing the bonds Of a Union
Which we trust will endure forever. Your
department since your initiation, has attest
ed your devotion to the principles we desire
to establish; and has inspired a confidence in
your Patriotism, Of which We can give no
higher proof than your reception here.
The dangers which threaten American
Liberty arise from foes without, and from
enemies within. The FIRST Degree pointed
out the source and nature Of our most i'm
mincnt peril, and indicated the first measure
OF safety. The Second Degree defined the
next means by which, in coming time, such
assaults may be rendered harmless. The
Third Degree, which you have just received
not only reitcrates the lessons of the other
two, but it is intended to avoid and provide
for more remote but no less terrible de-
nestle enemies to our free institutions.
Our object is briefly this to perfect an
Organization, modelled after that Of the
Constitution Of the United States, and CO.
extensive with the Conlederacy. Its object
and principles, in all matters of National
concern to be uniform and identical, whilst