The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1856-11-01
TllesC Celebrate "Third Degree.y
DEMOCRATS, READ!

How muchsofthe breath of Democratic ora
TOT, and the Ink and 1nalignity Of Democratic
editdts, haveaheen expended during the present
canvassin denouncing The terribleIthetrsdson-
able secresy which, they maintained surrounded
the American party! No language has been
found to fully express their sense Of the danger
which they, said, must Turk in this Ystery.
Even since the workings of the Parry have
been open to the world, they have not ceased
to harp upon the fearful nature Of the obliga-
n which had been taken, and that " THIRD
Y GREE" in particular, has been hurled at
i. Fillmore from the stump, and through the
columns Of Democratic papers, with a violence
which was confidently believed would prove
crushing. Orators like Mr.. Benjamin, while
they ipaidshigh tributes Of praise to the Ameri-
can candidate, pointed with solemn warning to
that fearful " Third Degree" The obligations
Of that degree ore now before you. 1t was
published in the American Organ at Washing
ton. in accordance with a resolution Of the
American council Of the District Of Columbia,
in accordance with the removal Of the seal Of
secrecy by the National Council. Again we
say to- Democrats. READ TIL! ED
$50 b@a "oBL1GATIoS. fHa44 rs w
You, and each, of you, of your " free will and
accord. in the presence of Almighty God and these
witnesses, with your hands joined in token of that
~fnaternal affection which should ever bind together
the States Of this Union, forming a ring, in token OF
yonr determination that, as far as yeur efforts can
avail this IT1ifnN cho1 ha w m a,,l do cnlnv,1nlu n,Nl
sincerely swear Tor a%liEna) that YOU will not, under
any circumstance, disclose in any manner, nor suffer
IT to be done by others if in your power to pre- vent it,
the lame, signs, passwords, or other secrets Of this
degree, except to those to whom you may prove on
trial to be brothers Of the same, degree, Or in open
council for the purpose of instruction that You do
hereby solemnly declare your devotion to the Union OF
these States that in the discharge of your duties as
American citizens you will uphold, maintain, and de-
fcnd it, that you will discourage aud discountenance
any and every attempt coming from any and every
quarter, which you believe to be designed or calc,i-
lated to destroy, or srhvert it, or to weaken its bonds ;
and that you will use your influence, as far as in your
equitable adjustment of all political discontents or
differences, which may threaten its injury Or over
throw.
" You do further promise and swear Cor afirm) that
you will not vote for any one to fill amy Office of
honor, OF profit, Or trust of a political character,
whom you know or believe to be in favor of a dissolil-
ton OF the union of these States, or who il endeavUr-
ing to produce thai result that you will vote for and
support for all political Offices Sd or Union Degree
members OF this order, in preference to all Others /;
that If it may be done consistently with the C~onstitt1-
ton and laws of the land, you will, when elected or
appointed to any official station, which may confer
on you the power to do so, remove from office or
place, all persons whom yon know or believe to be in
favor of IL dissolution Of the Union, or who are en-
deavoring to produce that result and that in no case
yon VIII appoint snch persons to any political office
or place whatever.
\ this you promise and swear tor afirm) 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 andiswcar Cor affirm that this, aud all other
obligations which you have previously taken in this
order. shall ever he kept sacred and i~nviolate. To all
this yon pledge your lives, your fortunes, and your
sacred honors, 50 help you God, and keep You stead
fast.
Each one shall answer l do"
The foregoing was the " Obligation and the
whole obligation, of the Third, CT, as it was
usually and appropriately termed, the +" Union
Degree" "lF THIS BE TREASON, MAKE THE
MOST or IT I"
The Organ also publishes in full, the charge
which accompanies the obligation of the third
degree, and it breathes throughout, the spirit
which pervades the sacred g farewell address,"
Patriotism aud devotion to the Union are in
cnlcated in every line, and there is not d sen
timent expressed, either in the obligation or
the charge, which can not be endorsed by every
lover Of his country.