Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-07-20
From the Nashville Union.
THE SYMPATHY FOR FOREIGNERS.

Referring to the hleS OF tnlS paper Vi lour years
ago, we find that it engaged in very excited
contest with what was called know nothingism.-
The platform on which this society stood was par
tally stated in the following oath and obligation
pertaining to the first degree of the know nothing
order witch oath ard obligation we are very conf
dent that some of our editorial neighbors took and
subscribed We need not remind the reader that
this paper very strongly opposed both the oath and
the principles of that order:
OUTSIDE OBLIGATION.
You do solemnly swear Tor afiirm> that you will
never reveal anything said done in this room, the
names of any persons present. nor the existence OF
this society," whether found worthy to proceed or
not and that all your declarations shall he true so
help you God.
Marshal. Where were you born?
Marshal. Where is your permanent residence?
IF born out of the jurisdiction of the United
States the answer shall be written, the candidate
dismissed with an admoniton of secrecy, and the
brother vouchng for him suspended from all the
privileges of the order, unless upon satisfactory
proof that he has been misinformed.
Marshal Are You twenty -one years of age9
Ans. I am.
Marshal. In religious belief are you Roman
Cathoiicg
Ans No.
Marshal. Were you born Of Protestant parents,
or were YOU reared under Protestant influence?
Ans. Yes
Marshal. If married, is your wife Roman
Catholic?
T"No," or Yes, =" the answer to be valued as
the constitution of the State council shall provide
Marshal. Are you willing to use your influence
and vote only for natve-born American citizens for
all offices of honor trust profit in the gift of
the people to the exclusion Of all foreigners and
aliens and Roman Catholics in particular, and with
out regard to party predictions!
Ans am.
FIRST DECREE OBLIGATION.
In the presence Of Almighty God and these wit
nesscs you do solemniy promise and swear that you
will never betray any of the secrets of this society,"
nor communicate them even to proper candidates,
except within lawful council of the order; and
you will never permit any of the secrets of this So
Ciety to be written, or in any other manner to be
made legible except for the purpose of official in
struction: that You win not vote give your in
uencc for any man for any office in the gift of the
people, unless he be American-born citizen, in
favor of Americans ruling America. nor if he be
Roman Catholic; that YOU will in all political mat
ters so far this order is concerned. comply with
the will of the majority, though it may conflict with
your personal preference, SO long it does not
tlct with the Constitution of the United States of
America, or that of the State in which you reside;
that yon will not, under any circumstances what
| ever. knowingly recommend an unworthy person
| for initiation. suffer it to be done if in your
power to prevent it; that you will not, under any
! circumstances, expose the name of any member Of
this order nor reveal the existence of such
citation; that you will answer an impernttre notice
! issued by the proper authority obey the command
o: the State council president his deputy, while
assembled by such notice, and respond to the claim
of sign or cry of the order. unless it be physi-
cally impossible; that you will acknowledge the
State council Of as the legislative head. the
ruling authority, and the supreme tribunal of the
order in the State of -- acting under the jurs-
diction of the national council of the United States
of America, binding yourself in the penalty of ex-
communication from the order the forfeiture of all
intercourse with its members, and being denounced
in all the societies of the as wilfui traitor to
your God and your country
[The president shall call to every person present
three blows Of the gave, when the candidates shall
all repeat after the vice president in concert.
All this voluntarily promise with full under
standing OF the solemn sanctions and penalties
Several gentlemen who took this oath. and more
and stronger oats, have gone into spasms lest the
foreigners whom they then scOre to prescribe-suort
to deny the rights of American citizens-whom
they denounced as "paupers and thieves" "the off
scourings of the Old World" "jail-brds, "emissa
rirs of the Pope"-they go into spasms now in
their alarm that these men may meet with injustice
at the hands of the democrats! We advise ouI
adopted citizens to exact penance from these
rccusant know nothings before listening to them al
all-make them get dorn on their knees and ,epea
their knon nothing oaths backoecrds! MAKE THE,
uSsAY THE OATH! Selfrespect demands that oul
naturalized citizens exact this much of their new
defenders and the leaders who took these oaths il
1856, and fawn upon the foreigners in 1852 uilL d.
onything! Naturaized citizens need not be afrait
of exactng too much, just now