M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1856-04-10
AbSOlving knew NOihingS from
their OnIhsl


their OnIhs!
The report of a trial for SANDER,
which was published in this paper a
few weeks ago, furnishes some remark.
able facts relative to Know Nothing
ism. Members Of that order stated
pnder oath that they were bound by
solemn obligations not to reveal its
existence, nor their own connection
with it, nor tho name Of any member
When asked If they were not then vi.
Olating their oaths by making sucl
statements, they replied that they were
not, because they had a dispsnSatiOn
from the President gMs State Coun,
eli permitting, or authorizing them
TO state such factS to tie Court !
1t will be remembered that one Of
the gravest charges made by the Know
Nothlngs against the Catholics, is,
that centuries ago, amid the myths
and harbariSms Of the dark ages, the
Pope Of Rome granted indulgcnces
TO Gin, and absOlved men from their
oaths |
Now, what Is the difference between
the Pope-granting that he absolved
men from oaths-and the President
Of the Know Nothingsl Does Tom
Ford, or whoever is now the Grand
hogul Of the Order, claim it as q
power given him from the Most Iighl
Is Know Nothingism of Divine ori-
ginl Where and how did Tom Ford
obtain the power to absolye men from
solemn appeals made to the Almighty9
Answer, yehypocritical winners about
Poperyl
An institution whose members can
not testify to the truth in a Court Of
justice without permission from it's
Grand officer, is not only dangerous
to the freedom Of our country, but tc
the peace Of conscience Of those con
nCcted with it. "
We tell Know Nothings that Ton
Ford has not now, never had and nev
er will have power to absolvo mel
from oaths, and we must say further
shat their conseiences are very easil,
satisfied and set at rest, if a strip o.
paper signed by any mortal will justi
~ them in violating solemn appea
made to an Infinite God. ...
If Tom Ford has the powe. to ab
solve men from oaths, he has slso thC
collateral one of abSdlving from per
jury! Think of it, reader, and yor
will come to the conclusion that be-
ing who has power to set aside sol
emn oath to God, has also power tc
forgive sin. If this be true, We ask
again, what is the difference between
ihe Pope Of Rome, as represented by
the Know Nothings, and Tom. Ford,
President Of the State Council of thai
orderl
As The o;spensation referrea to was
granted for that particular occasion
only, the Witnesses who we're permit.
ted to swear now douStless consider
the oaths binding again. That's, Ford
has the power not only to release mcr
from oaths, but can also render then
binding again whenever he think
proper.
Now, suppose that Mr.. Ford, no
chosing to have the mysteries of til,
order revealed, had withheld lis dis
pensation. Witnesses would have beel
placed IN a most pitiable dilemma. =
They were sworn to tell "the truth
the whole truth and nothing but tn
truth" On tie one hand, while Knoy
Nothingism bound them by oath /
reveal nothing in regard to the order
Upon which horn would the witness
'es have hung themselVesi
Candidates for admission into othe
secret societies are informed that thei
obligations will not conflict with thei
duty to God, their country, thei
uoigbbors or themselves. 1t woult
seem that Know Eothingstn make