Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-06-20
80 - ~ 80



4 Outside zta7saa;.--Genilemen: Are you candidates
for admission to the organization?
Each answers, g an
BEarshal-Before proceeding Further, neeessa-
~ that yon take an obligation Of secrecy.
NdrskeJ-YOu VIII place yourselves in position
to receive 1t. PositoH-Paee the right hand on the
Holy Bible and Cross.
O5ligafi0a-Youd do solemnly swear upon this Holy
Bible and Cross, before Almighty God and these
Witnesses that you viii not divulge any questions
now proposed to you whether you become a member
Of this organization or not, and that you viii never,
under any circumstances mention the name Of any
person or persons you may see present, that you
know such an organization to be in existence; and
that you viii true answers make to every question
asked you to the best Of your knowledge and belief
so help you God 81 do"
First Qussttou.-Are you tWenty-One years of age?
al an"
Second Qussioa-Do you believe in the existence
Of a Supreme Being, the Creator and Preserver of
the Universe, and that obligation this time ia
ken will be binding upon you through life! 81 do"
Third Question Were you born within the limits
or under the jurisdiction Of heUnited States CT Am
erica? 80 l was"
Fourth Qusstioa.-In religious belief, are you
Roman CathOlei "No."
/ Fifth QusstiOH.-Have you or have you not been
/ reared under Protestant influence? ''Yes or Mo-
Sirtk QaestioH.-Are orwere either of your parents
! Roman Catholics in rel gious belief? " No"
| SsDsnh Qasstioa.-If married, is your wife Ro-
man Catholic &" No or Yes,"--the answer to be
valued as the Constitution of the State Council pro-
| vides
! Eighth Question. Are you willing to use your in
huence and vote only for native born American cii
zens for all the Offices Of honor trust in the gift
of the people, 10 the exclusion Of all Foreigners and
! Aliens, and of Roman Catholics in particular and
! without regard to party predictions? q" am"
INSIDE .{dTskal-Wortby President; have exam
iued these candidates, and finding them duly quail
flied, present them for obligation. If the examina-
ton in the gave evidence of even partial
objection to any candidate the Marshal SHOULD state
it 10 the President before introducing the candidates
President My Friends: Previous to Your uniting
with and becoming members of this Organization, it
will be necessary for you to take upon yourself
solemn obGgation-one which we have alltaken and
intend sacredly to keep through life. 1t will not
conflict with the duties you to yourselves, your
families, your country, or your God With this as
surance are you willing to proceed? Each answers,
81 am"
OBEgqtioa.-You AMI each of you, of your own
free will and accord, in the presence Of Almighty
God and these witnesses, yourright hand resting
this Holy Bible and Cross, and your left hand raised
coward Heaven, or, If Il be Preferred your left hand
resting on your breast and your right hand raised
toward Heaven, in token Of your sincerity, do SOL
EMMY promise and swear that you will not make
known to any person or persons, any of the signs,
secrets, mysteries, or objects Of the Organization,
unless it be TO those whom, after due examination
you eLlaLl ullu 70 DS
of the Organization in good standing; that you will
not cut carve, print, paint, stamp, stain in any
way, directly indirectly, expose any Of the Sc
crets objects of the Order nor suffer It to be done
by others, if in your power to prevent it. unless It
be for official instruction, that so long you
connected with this Organization, If not regularly
dismissed from it. you will in all things political or
social far this Order is concerned, comply with
the will Of the majority, when expressed in lawful
manner, though it may conflict with your personal
preference, so long it does not conflict with the
Grand, State subordinate Constitution, the Con-
stitutiOn Of the United States of America, that of
the State in which you reside and that you will not
under any circumstances whatever knowingly re-
commend an unworthy person for initiation nor SUI
fer it to be DONE if in your power to prevent it
You furthermore promise and declare that you will
not vote give your influence for any man for any
Office in the gift in the people, unless he be an Am
erican born citizen, in favor Of American born ru-
ling America; nor if he be a Roman Catholic, and
that you will not under any circumstances, expose
the name Of any member Of this Order, nor reveal
the existence Of such an organization. In all the
foregoing you bind yourselves, under the no less
penalty than that of being expelled from this Order
and Of having your name posted and circulated
throughout the different Councils Of the United
States, a traitor to God and your country, as be-
ing unfit to be employed and trusted countenanced
or supported in any business transaction, per-
totally unworthy the confidence of all good men,
and as one at whom the finger Of should ever
be pointed. So help you God. Each answer, 50
do"
PresiGent.-Worthy Marshal: You will now pre-
the Brothers TO the Secretary that they may
cord their names and residence; which, being done
you will present them 10 the Instructor for further
instruction.
M1TshaI.-Worthy Instructor: By direction of the
Worthy President, present to you these Brothers
for final instruction; they have signed the COnstu
ton.
Observation-Disclosures At the outer door you will
make any ordinary alarm. When the wicket is
opened, you will ask what is the pass word. The
Outside Sentil will reply, Give it'-when you viii
give the pass and be admitted to the ante room
You will then proceed to the inner door, and give
one rap. When the wicket is opened, give your
name, the number Of your Council, the explanation
of the pass and the degree password. If these
be found correct, on being reported to the Vice
President you will be admitted to the Council You
will then proceed to the centre Of the room, and ad
dress the President with the countersign, which is
performed thus: POistOa-The right hand placed on
the heart and quickly withdrawn, the person ire
naming perfectly erect. When this salutation is
recognized you will turn the Vice President and
addresses him in the same manner, who will also
ply. You will then quietly take your seat. This
sign is peculiar TO the degree, and is never to be
used outside of the Council room. When retiring
you will address the officers in the same manner, and
also give the degree password to the Inside Senti
mel
The term password is Bunker Hill" The ex-
PLANTATION Of the term pass to be used at the inner
door is to be established by each State, sc.
The degree password is Trenton" The travelling
password and explanation, which is changed
nually by the grand President, and which is used
only when the Brother is travelling beyond the juris
dictiOn of his own State, District OF Territory, is
YOrktOWn-the place Of final victory.
The sign of recognition is by placing the index
finger of the right hand in the space between the
buttons Of the coat vest shirt, and elevating the
thumb. The answers given by placing the thumb
of the right hand in the same place.
The grip is given in the form of a ladys slight
shake of the hand, by bringing three fingers of the
right hand in such position to bring the thumb
slightly upon the nail of the middle finger, drop
| ping the hand Immediately, when the following con-
versatOn ensUes-the challenging party first saying
! What is the time.' The answer Time for work
Then the response, Are you" followed by the re-
jOinder, I'VE are
Public notice for mass meetings is given by means
of right hand angle triangular piece of paper, Ia
diagram is here given white in color. If informa-
is wanted of the object of the gathering the place.
&C, the inquirer Will ask of an undoubted brother
! only Have you seen SAM to-day The reply will
! be Go to - at -- o'clock A piece Of pa
per of the shape, but red in color will signify
suspected danger. IF the color is red, with an equi-
lateral triangular piece cut out, thus: A diagram
here given it will denote actual trouble, which re-
| quires that you come prepared to meet it.
Brothers, you are now initiated into, and made
acquainted with the work and organization of a