Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-08-26


ginning OF April last. Among those In atten
dance was the celebrated Able McMastcrs df New
ork; Charies IT, HINT of ST. Louis I,afavetta
DeFein, OF Indiana, and number Of others,
time -
THE DEGREES
The programme agreed upon at Windsor. IN the
beglnningp pf April, win be given, after adding some
further remarks with regard to the character Of
the organzation--its degrees, the first being pub
hshed N one pamphlet, the two next in another
copies q which have been obtained, and the con-
tents OF which will, no doubt, at the proper time
find theit way into the newspapers. The. first de-
gree seems TO be weak and diluted dose for nov-
ices VINO may have sQueamish stonachs 8he
great mass OF the mem bers Of the order are adj
mltted only into the mysteries of it thus far the
leaders thus securing their support without en-
dangerlng themselves by allowing their followers
to know too much of their reasonable conspiracy
Once thus entrapped into the selemnity Of an
cath. those of the first degree become the blind
and ready instruments Of the more intelligent
knayish, and traitorous, who are admitted TO the
mysteries of the higher degree. The lodges or
temples have a list Of members in the nature of
lodge muster roll, copies Of which have also been
obtained, and In themselves curiosity to look
at. These rolls one would suppose to be list Of
members Of literary association, while those un-
derstanding It's real meaning would readily know
that a member marked down as having a copy Of
The St Loil8 Republican was the owner Of one
rite and that he who was set down for two copies
OF The ~. Louis Union was the owner Of that
number of reyolvers, and so on.
THE oBmGA1IoSs.
The obligations of this order are of a truly as
tanisbing character 4 few exxaets from them
viii show their nefarious character.
] soieInnly promise that | viii never reveal or
make known to any person or persons, by sign or
signs, word or words, nor In any manner, the GER
emonies in which / have Just taken a Dart nor the
names, nor persons who have participated with
ne, nor any single word nor thing; which / have
heard or have seen herein
eI dc solemnly promise that willnever reveal or
make known to any one, any or either Of the
signs, halls. passwords, Watchwords, initials ci-
EheTs, emblens, insignia, nor signs man1al, Of
the u. E. Do A. K.-Exeept to prove a man
Claiming to DC member Of that decree. =
u do further solemnly promise that win at
all times. and IN all places, yield and observe a
prompt obedience, without renonstrance or cues
ton, 70 every mandate, command, order, or re-
quest OF any immediate .Grand Commander, in
all things touching relating to the purposes Of
the .. a. h if IN my power to do SO. .
i do further solemnly promise that whenever
the principles which or order inculcates shall be
assailed IN my own STATE or county, I viii defend
those principles with my sword and my life, In
whatsoever capacity may be assigned me by the
competent authority OF our order; that
vii never pronounce the name Of this order ia
the aeaTEag Of any rlan, woman, or child except
to a member Of this order whom | know
70 be such; that [ viii ever have in most
holy keeping each and every secret ef this
order which may be cJaG5ed to me By a
member, within or withoutssthe temple aud rath-
er than reveal which viii consent to any torture,
egea asato r5eath by torture. y
aI do further promise that viii at all times
4 needs be, take arms In the cause Of the oppTes-
sed n mg country first Of al, against any mon
arch. prince potentate, power, or Government
'is1tT72er, which mag be found IN arms and Eagisg
war against people or peoples who are endeaY-
ing 10 establish or have lnaugurated Govern
meut for themselves, Of their own free choice. In
accordance with and founded upon the eternal
principles Of truth. This do promise, without
regard 10 the name, statiop condition, or designa-
ton Of the invading or coerci4g power, whether
It shall arise within or come from without .
Z DO solemnIy promise and swear sacredly to
70 observe, perform, and keep, with full knowl-
edge and understanding, and with my full assent
that the penatywhch viii follow violation of any
or either OF these my solemn VOWS viii be a fear-
jul death.
THE SIGNS, EcE
The signs, passwords, &C., being Of changeble
character II Is not worthwhile 70 describe stlength
As originly organized. the password Of the first
degreeWas Auoh-lae. beingtheword Calhoun" T
spelt backwards That Of the second degree was
Webster. The signal of distress is ''Ochone.
''0chone, . "0chone. The street sign Of recog-
milton Is given by placing the hand Of the left arm
on the right breast, and raising the right TO angle
Of torty-dve degrees, with the shoulder on right I
line with them
The grip is full grasp Of the hand, with the IN
dex finger so extended as to rest upon the wrist Of
the person addressed The toe of the person de- /
string to be recognized Is also placed at the hollow
Of the foot Of the other. This order has also 4
badges By which members recognize each other. +
which are worn in various ways and mannerE-in (
many instances as necktles; samples ofthese have /
also been obtained, and the house that imports (
hem in this city ascert aimed
ACCOUNTS OF STRENGTH,
There are different accounts Of the strength Of /
this organization among the Henbers themselves. I
At a meeting not long since, held by the Wayne +
Lodge or Temple in this city the Grand Worthy, 4
in his Lecture to the newly initiated, gave an ac-
count of the condition Of the orsr, and Its rapid
progress in numbers and strength, in which be T
stated It's membership 10 be as follows Between
20,O09 and 90 90 in Missouri; nearly 80, 600 in
Illinois, Of whom 80,000 are well armed and or
ganized 10000 in Indiannz nearly I09,O00in
Ohio, Of whom one-half were well armed and or
ganized in Kentucky, from GO, 900 70 70, 600 10
New York, New jersey and Pennsylvania already I
yery strong and rapidly on the increase. In Mich
iean Iowa and other Western States, not yet very
strong, yet nevertheless making rapid progress
principal officer Ia New YORK State where Il Is
known a. the Mcclellan Minute Men, has stated
its strength tn that state to be over 200, 600.
MEMBERS ARMED.
1t is one of the requirements Of the order that
all It's members should be in the possession Of
arms. and these ars enumerated, az well as the
amount Of ammunition he may have on the mus
ter-rolI Of his Lodge or Temple.
THE PROGRAMME
The Programme agreed upon in the Supreme
Council at Windsor, Canada, IN April last, as