Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-06-13


but Us O. aFaa 81 agdlgas5,bai soHs ssas sBdil |
L lnali5ioasy rum5fed that sems al tie tsnahis Of
almost empty benches fell dfogsy, and rendered !
sleepy applause to the most gigantic oratorieal ef
forts The brethren look sheepish about the whole
affair, and think the Council ought 10 kept ne doors
shut that there certainly was more need for secrecy
than ever before The organ promised to publish
list Of delegates, bat is ashamed to doit, and has
not fulfilled its promise sorry spectacle did this
great National Council presents much so, that II
viii make a sad concluding chapter in the lie OF
Sam. 1t viii be the death Of the party about here
THEIR REAL PLATFORM.
The people of Tennessee should not be deceived
as to the issues Of this canvass. They should not
forget that Distribution is an exploded humbug re-
yiyed by Mr.. Bell, not with any hope Of its be-
coming law under a Democratic administration,
but for the simple purpose of dYerting the atten-
ton Of the people from the odious features Of Know
Nothingism and thus deuding them into its support
They should not forget that the real principles Of
the KnOw-Nothing party, (if such things can prop
erly be called principles are embraced in their
oathes-such things upon the bible and cross they
have sO0rn to. These constitute the real purposes
and intent of their order and by these oahes they
should be judged If they cannot be believed in
or believed at all If they will not adhere to their
obligations taken upon the Bible and Cross, they
can make no more reservations that should be relied
on.
But we are free to confess that there is one re-
speot, connected with the Know-Nothiugs, in which
we have fun confidence; that is Jelepe they 0iH
comply 'gb their o1tes, so far as the practical work
/ ings of the order is concerned.
Il is well therefore that the people should begin
to re examine these oathes as they have been from
time to time divulged, and for the better informa-
ton of the public suggest to the papers of both
parties throughout the State that they be inserted
| in their columns and read by the different candi-
dates for Office upon every stump In this way full
Justice may be done to all sides We commence
this morning by copying the following to be follow
ed by another tomorrow. If there is the least
error in what we publish our opponents have only
to furnish US with correct copy, and we will cheer
fully publish it. We do not wish to do the slightest
injustice, and trust that some Of our Know-Nothng
friends to prevent Mistakes now that the thing has
been made public, will present US with a copy of
their blue book We would be gratifed to receive,
also, one Of the desecrated Bibles and paste-board
crosses upon which, these oaths were administered:
OBLIGATION.-You do solemly swear upon this
| Holy Bible and Cross before Almighty GOdand these
witnesses, that you will not diYulge any question
| now proposed to you, whether you become mem
! Der Of this organization rnot and that you will
| never under any circumstances mention the name Of
any person or persons you may present, that
| you know such organization to be in existence,
and that you will true answers make to every cues
ton asked you, to the best of your knowledge and
belief, so help you God
OBMGAHoN-You and each you of your own
free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty
God, and these witnesses, your right handresting
this Holy Bible and Cross and your left hand raised
toward Heaven, or (lf It be preferred your left
| hand resting on your brest and your right hand
raised towards Heaven in token of your sincerity,
| do solemnly promise and swear that you will not
| make known to any person or persons, any of the
| signs, mysteries objects of this Organization,
unless it be those whom, alter due examination, or
lawful information, you shall find to be members of
this Organization in good standing; that you will
not cut, carve, print, paint, stamp stain, in any
way directly or indirectly, expose any of the secrets
OF objects Of this Order, suffer it to be done by
Others If IN your power TO prevent It, unless II be
for official instruction; that so long as you are con-
nected with this Organization, if not regularly dis
missed from it, you Will in all things political or so
ciat far as this Order is concerned comply with
the viii Of the majority, when expressed in lawful
] manner, though Il may conflict 10itk your personal
preference, so long as it does not conflict with the
Grand State or Subordinate Constitution of the Uni
ted States Of America that Of the State in which
you reside and that you viii not under any crcum-
stances whatever, knowingly recommend an I'M
worthy person for imitation suffer it to be DONE
if in your power to prevent it. You furthermore
promise and declare that you will not vote nor give
you influence for any for any Office in the gift
Of the people, unless he be American born cti-
zens, in favor of Americans born ruling Americanor
ifhe be Roman CathoHcand that you will not under
any circumstances, expose the name ofany member Of
this Order, reveal the existence such an organi-
cation To all the foregoing you bind yourselves,
under the no less penalty than that Of being eXpel
led from this Order and of having your name posted
and circulated throughout the different Councils of
the United States, traitor to God and you cOun-
try being unfit to be employed and trusted, coun-
tenenced or supported in any business transaction,
as person totally unworthy the confidence of all
good men, as one at whom the finger of scorn should
ever be pointed So help you God!