The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1857-05-09
THE "SAG NIGHTS"
FIRST. SECOND, AND THIRD DEGREES.


The following letter and oaths of The firsv
and second degrees were addressed 10 an
old line" Democrat at Nashville. Tenn.
who stands ready to verify them, bv the lest
Of evidence. should 1t ever he desired. The
obligation Of the third degree was obtained
from the degree book, used IN the =. Sag
NIGHTS Lodge. at Knoxville Tenn. and is
| to he found On the eighth page of all their
degree books. We insert here the three as
they stand in order:
coNfIDENrIM CIRCULAR.
Dear Sir Being satisfied that there is
prevailing, To very great extent in the
state OF Tennessee, a ncw iaugl,d order,
| called the :. Know Nothiues," which order
Is making rapid nroads in the ranks Of the
Democracy, not only in the State of Tenn
esSce. hut also throughout the Union. Til.
was known To Governor johnson. anterior to
ms entering the canvass against Gentry, and
to check the mighty tide, and countcract the
influence Of this loathSome fungus, Know
Nottingham. the far-sccins Governor John
son together with some far-scting patriotic
Democrats Of the State of Virginia, set on
loot the association called, Sag NIGHTS" "a
foreign phrase. meaning Say Nothng.') by
which 1t is expected to secure the Influence
and votes of foreigners and Roman Catholics
We are Informed that you are an old line
democrat, and as such we venture to send
you this circular, and cn,reat of YOU as II
gentleman. and AS one Of the greatest Demo
cfauc iamilies OF Tennessee, to keep it Sc
cret. The following is the oath:
81. a. Il. Of my own free will and ac-
cord, in the presence of these witnesses, do
solemnly promise and swear that 7 am in ia
ynr Of ~, 7
vote fora Know Nothing, if | know the same
and that | will vote only for a Democrat.
That will favor the foreign born and the
Ronanists. thereby gaining their votes AS
well as their wishes.
9 / Furthermore promise and swear, that |
will not tell any Of the secrets of this Order.
furthermore PROMISE and swear that |
Will tell that the Know Nothings are villains,
and that will vote for member Of this Or
der, whether believe he is faithful or not,
so help INC Cod"
Hearing of the progress Of the Know
Aothngs, we hope you will be active in get
ting as many persons to take this obligation
as possible, and thereby preserve the Demo
cratic party and Governor johnson from
defeat. ID. EsrIERr
ChRf association, No. PA.
OBLIGATION or THE SECOND DEGREE.
Brother, You are now about to take upon
yourself the obligation Of the second degree of
this Democratic and truly Catholic order of
Say Noihines, commonly called Sag NIGHTS
Place yourself in "A condition to receive it
arms Gro! sed upon your blcaSt-cycs raised
toward Heaven. Repeat after me the obli-
cation: 7, A. L. pronounce Your proper
name pray that God Ain lightly may strike
me with imbcciiity and madness when
cease to oppose Know Nothjngis,a !. May
heaven ovcrw helm Inc with its thunder when
! cease to hate the Order May thc anger of
God. of Peter and Paul, and Of Washington,
Jefferson and jackson, fall upon me in this
world, and be my punishment in the next,
If cease to war upon this sclf-constituttd
American party. May the whole universe
revolt against me if | cease to bc regular
contributing member Of this society May
the earth swallow me up alive if prove un.
faithful to my solemn vows. May my name
perish if ever vote for Wing or Demo
crat who avors Know Nolhingism And
may IN. flesh be boiled roasted TAXED, fried
beat, and hashcd by savages; il | Stay away
from the ballol-boX on the day of an cleo
ton when Know Nothing is IA candidate!"
OBLIGATION OF THE THIRD DEGREE.
" You, and each Of yon, of your own free |
accord, III the presence of Almighty God and !
these brethren, with your hands Joined to-
sethtr, forming a circle in token of your at
lection and opcnncss Of purpose which binds |
you together, do solemnly swear. ;or aim. |
II You pIdcr,l that you will never desert tins |
Order, or bctray any of its secrets, except to
those whom you know to be members, after |
4 trial o, them; that as the third degree men |
are to be appointed TO guard the polls at cleo
lions, to see that our Roman Catholic bleth-
'rn and foreigners are allowed TO vote at all |
hazards, You will, when appointed or that
duty, take your stand there, with your brch-
zen associated with you, ARMED WELL,
md prepared for the worst, Keeping it strict
y secret that you arc nothing more than
IN idle spectator. The sign to be given to
members of the first and second degrees.
when our friends are denied justice by the
Judges, in which they are well instructed, is
he rubbing of the right eye slightly with the
light hand. The indication for commencing
lostilities is the clearing the throat audi.
by, and wiping the mouth with the right
land. You will also promise or swear Tor
lii,m) that you will not give these signs
you see enough of your friends at
iand to render an attack upon the enemy
DD,rrs a.