Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-04-04
The Oath.bound Candidate.

Inc Odtn.DOun0 Can0ldates
We informed our readers in our last that John
Pool, the Opposition candidate for Governor, is
Know Nothing in full fellowship and standing in
the Order.
He avowed his membership in the Order on the
stump at Weldon, and other places, in 1857.
He was delegate to the Know Nothing National
Convention at Philadelphia, in 1856.
He has been leading director of the Know Moth
ing lodges in the Albemare District from the foun-
dation of the Order.
He is avowed by the most awful oaths to vote for
no man for United States Senator, Judges Secreta-
ry Of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, Attorney Gen.
eral Solicitor, or any other officer, down to Com
missioner of the smallest town, who lis not Know
Nothing.
Here is the proof!
When Mr. Pool joined the Order he was taken
into an ante room, in silent hours of the night
and in profound secret as to the rest of the world
subscribed the following oaths and afrmations, as
taken from their ritual and rules of proceeding
FIRST DEGREE.
Mr.. Pool was accosted by the Marshal in these
words:
Before proceeding further we require solemn
obligation of secrecy and truth. If you will take
such an obligation, you will lay your right hand
upon the Holy Bible and Cross"
Mr. Pool then laid his hand upon the Holy Bible
and Cross, and swore the following oath:
"You O do solemnly swear that you CD will
never reveal any thing said or done in this room,
the names of any person present. nor the existence
of this Society, whether found worthy to proceed
not; and that all your (my) declarations shall be
true, so help You (me) God!"
The Marshal again accosted him in these words :
'Are you willing to use your influence, and vote
only for nativeborn American citizens for all offices
Of honor, trust profit in the gift of the people, to
the exclusion of all foreigners, and aliens, and Ro-
Catholics in particular, and without regard to
party predictions?
Mr. Pool answered vi ana."
He was then taken into the inner room, when the
President, "by one blow Of the gavel" called to or
der; and among other things bid Mr. Pool, ''if sat
isfed with the assurance gven" place the left hand
upon the breast and raise the right hand to Heaven
Mr. Pool then placed his left hand upon his breast,
raised his right hand towards Heaven, and took mp
on himself the following
OBLIGATION.
In the presence of Almighty God and these wit
nesses you do solemnly promise and swear that you
will never betray any of the secrets of this Society,"
communicate them even to proper candidates
within lawful Council of the Order; that you will
never permit any Of the secrets Of this Society to
be written, or in any other to be made leg
ibe, except for the purpose of official instruction
that youwill not cote nor give your influence for
any man for any office in the gift of the people,
unless he be an American born citizen, in favor Of
Americans ruling America, nor if he be Roman
Cofho at IN all noliti
far as this Order is concerned, comply with the will
of the majority, though it may conflict with your
personal preferences so long as it does not con
flct with the Constitution of the United States o.
America, or that of the State in which you reside
that you will not under any circumstances what
ever, knowingly recommend any unworthy person
for initiation, nor 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 o
this Order nor reveal the existence Of such an as
ISOLATION; that you will answer an Imperative notice
issued by the proper authority; obey the command
Of the State Council, President or his deputy, while
assembled by such notice. and respond to the claim
Of sign or a cry of the Order, unless it be phys
cally impossible; and that you will acknowledge
the State Council of North Carolina as the legsla
tive head, the ruling authority, and the supreme
tribunal Of the Order in the State of North Caro-
lima, acting under the jurisdiction of the National
Council Of the United States of North America
binding yourself in the penalty of ex-communica.
ton from the Order the forfeiture Of all intercourse
with its members, and being denounced in all the
Societies Of the same as wilful traitor to your God
and your country"
10 this oath, after the President had called up oil
the members by three raps Of the gavel, Mr. Pool
said: ~
"All this voluntarily and sincerely promise,
win full understanding of the solemn sanctions
and penalties" :.F
Inc Vice President then said to MI. Pool: =
You have now taken solemn oaths, and made q
sacred promises as man can make that YOU will
keep all our secrets nvioate and We wish YOU dis
unsy to understand that he that takes these oaths
'"u makes these promises, and then violates them,