Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-09-29

at liberty to say that the obligations aud address
of tho Union Degree. are those which our enc
mics have now Published, but we do feel at liber-
ty to say, and therefore say, that the principles
therein developed, are our principles, and our
creed; and we say further, that we have taken no
obligation, and made no PROMISE inconsistent With
hs platform; and we say again further, that no
man who has taken the Third or Union Degree,
can be, consistently with his obligations, an enemy
Of the Union, or an advocate of that agitation,
which would lead TO the destruction OF the Union.
Upon this ground we have over and again re-
peated, that the American party is the true Union
party Of the country, and that the charge of Abo-
ltionsm made against US, is an unqualified and
unmitgAted falsehood, and this we now again re-
peat that all charges Of collision or sympathy
with Abolitionism or with the agitation of slavery
made against the American party are utterly un-
true and wholly unfounded.
sour friends and the country may draw their
own infersnces from these declarations, on the
point, whether the published obligations and ad-
dress, are genuine or not. Our enemies say they
are genuine-we do not deny it, and yet we are
not at liberty to admit it."
Things have now changed. The resolves Of
the National Council held at New York in
June last, have substituted "a pledge Of
honor" to sustain certain principles, in the
place of the obligation" taken under oath,
and the members of the American party are at
liberty TO unfold all their principles and pur-
poses, as the party is now strong enough to
resist foes from without as well as to control
foes who may be found within.
The resolves of the National Council held in
June last, above referred to, are as follows, to-
wit:
"Whereas, IN the platform of principles adopted
by the National Council in February last authority
was given to each State Council to amend its con-
stituti0n to abolish the several degrees, and
institute pledge of honor instead of other obliga
tons for fellowship and admission into the party ;
and whereas it is desirable that the proposed
pledge shall be uniform throughout the States, inn
bodying as nearly as possible the principle upon
which our organization is founded
"Resolved, That pledge of honor is recon-
mended to the several State Councils for adoption
by them as imbodying all the principles, aims, and
objects of the American party.
The pledge of honor proposed, is simply q
pledge to the principles Of the American party
to support for Office no who acknowledges any
allegiance to any foreign Power or who refuses to
as paramount to all other laws. To these decara-
tons the candidate is to pledge his life, his for
tune, and his sacred honor
"Resolved, further, That all provisions of the
constitution, rules and regulations special notes,
ritual or other enactments by the National Coun-
Gil, which conflict with the principles enunciated
in the pledge of honor now instituted, be, and
the same are hereby rescinded and abolished:
Provided, however, that it is not the intention or
meaning of this resolution to change, modify or in
any wise alter the Platform of the American par
ty adopted in February last. These resolutions
to take effect and be in force in each State, when
adopted by the State Council thereof"
In abiding to the measures accomplished by
the resolves above copied, we said, in our issue
of June 10th last, as follows.
"The proceedings of the National Council of
the American party, at its session last week in
the city of New York, were, in many respects, of
vital Importance and require attentive and earnest
consideration from us and our readers. From the
session of this Council we date, with the utmost
confidence, a new era in our history as a party,
and do not hesitate to prognosticate not only a
rapid accession of numbers, but the final triumph
Of our principles throughout the land. In an open
organization with our banner thrown boldly to the
breeze, we may defy all opposition, all malice, all
the influence of the Foreign party, and all the
power of the Vatican"
We viii here state that at meeting of the
Chief Council, Of this District on the goth
instant, the following resolution was adopted
to wit:
Whereas, the 10th article of the American
platform, adopted February, 1855, provides that
thenceforward the principles of the American
party should be openly discussed; and whereas,
the 18th section of the said platform authorizes
| the several State Councils land by necessary in
ference the District and Territorial Coancls) to
abolish the several degrees Of the Order, and to
institute pledge Of honor in lieu of other obliga
tions, which this Council has done; and whereas,
ALSO the resolutions adopted at the last session of
the National Council evidently contemplated re-
lease Of all former obligations and the abolition of
| oaths &C., upon giving pledge to support the
principles of the American party, to support for
Office no man who acknowledges any allegiance to
any foreign power, or who refuses to acknowledge
the Federal and State Constitutions as paramount
to all other laws; and whereas 1t is represented
that allegations have been made against the mem
bers of the American party to the effect that the
members of the third degree of the Order have hith
erto assumed obligations inconsistent with the
Constitution of the United States; and whereas,
1t is deemed proper officially and effectually to dis
prove said representations; therefore
"Resolued, That the President and Secretary
of this Council be authorized to publish in the
american Organ full and true copies of the OBJ
legations and charge of the third degree, as hith
erto recognised in the Chief Councils Of the party"
In conformity with the above resolve Of the
District Council, the following obligation"
and "charge" are now published as follows to
| wit:
OBLIGATION.
"You, and each of you, of your own free will
and accord, in the presence of Almighty God and
these witnesses, with your hands joined in token
Of that fraternal affection which should ever bind
together the States Of this Union forming ring in
token Of your determination that, far as your ef
forts can avail, this Union shall have no end, do
solcmnly and sincerely swear Tor AFFIRM that you