, 1864-03-27

%*~N-$J
are for the supremacy Of the white race, the
Integrity nnd Sovereignty Of the States, the
sacred right Of the citizen. We dcnounce the
doctrine Of military necessity; are against
the nsurpation, oppression, and hnaticfsm in
all their forms. we are against the extermi-
against the universal emancipation Of the
black race By Federal authority. We arc
agains: the effort now making to bring black
labor in competition with the labor Of the
frcemen Of Illinois. We arc a9gainst every In
fringement ofthe rules ofcfyilized Tar. We
Lincoln; and VIC believe that policy look
ing to peace, founded on good fnith, an hon.
est Interpretation Of the constitution, and a
real desire to restore the former brotherhood
Estates and sections, arc the only means to
reconstruct the Union and save the Re-
public.
"MEMBEn's PLEDGE.''
1solemnly pledge my word ofhonor to the
members Of this organization, TINT will not
cal principles do not know to be unulis-
takably the same as our own, and whom I
desire to Initiate. That will not reveal its
"pass words Or signs, or any of It's secrets to
any one otregularly initiated into Its ranks"
That will stand shoulder to shoulder with
tEis brotherhood In fatthful and manly SUP
port Of its purposes and principles, and that I
that shah be given me under its regulations
if in my power go to do. pledge the honor
of freeman, and one who desires to continue
so;. that I will keep these promises faith
"CuAnGE."
Ny friends, the declaration OF principles
have just read 10 you explains briefly, yet
truly, the spirit and purposes Of this organi-
xation. They are the time honored prIuc{plcs
f1f onf hal tn h1yn fat
the true men Of better age. These princi-
Pies arc our birthriyht, the sinews Of our
manhood, giving dignity and equality to all,
and peace. and projection to every hearth
stone. They are written in the constitution
of our country, In the constitutions Of the
several States. and cherished In the heart Of
every honest liberty-loying man. A faithful
adherence to these grind old landmarks Of
human progress and freedom is tue only true
loyalty, the only genuine patriotism, the only
reasonable hope we can have for the protec-
ton Of individual liberty and private right:
1t Is needless for me to descant upon the dan.
ger to which these sacred principles arc now
eubjected: We all see it, nc all feel 1t deeply.
The laws Of our country, the principles upon
which our Government Waa founded must be
susrained, or our liberties will be oyerthrown:
they can be sustained only by the united, firm
would uphold them. A single thread is easily
broken, but combine mnny such threads into
cable md it will resist giant's strength.
One man, however brave Of heart, and patri-
otto in purpose, can offer 10 effective resist
ancc to the armed and leagued mtnions Of
abolition: but let all true men touch el1o.cs,
and stand firmly together in this perilous
hour, for their mutual protection and the
maintenance Of the right; and their united
voices will be heard, their united power
respected, and the giant despotis,n which
now threatens us be checked and mastered
ut 1t,,.onA
all true, unbought, unpurchasable men, and
particularly every Sia.on Pre- Democrat; for
these are the cherished principles OF his
heart As you experience its workings
you Will be convinced that 1t is gotten up
10 protect the individual rights Of Its mem
to accomplish mutual benefit, to maintain
mutual fight. You will sec thnt it will
not and cannot be prostitutcd to subserre
the ambition Of any political aspIrant. You
Will see that it Is no mercenary scheme for
the procurement Of money; but every order
which will come to you, every direction
which will he given. will always be in keep
ing with the declaration Of principles which
have jEst read to you, and every act that
will be expected or required Of you, will be
for the protection Of your own interest, aud
for the actual sustainlncnt Of your individual
rights aud tue laws Of your country.
We i'Aye siga Of recognition, and Its
password and test; sign Of canton to pru-
dence In Conversation and action, and si,n
and hail Of distress.
[Hcre give and inftruet In these eigns.]
Brothers, be careful that you do not use
these signs improperly; guard them sacredly
for the honor and success Of the organization
to which yon belong. You 1anst, never use
them Idly, never through curiosity or amuse-
mcnt; never on any occasion or Tor any pur.
pore except your life or liberty are In actual,
| immediate danger because Of y0ur adherence
| to the principles Of this organization. They
arc not intended, nor must they be used, In
| private difficulties OF quorrels. As yon dc
not propose to cspouse or takc upon your.
those who are associated With you in tllis
| Brotherhood, so you cannot lsk that they
shall do SO for you. This Organization Ii
made up Of Clubs {of tcn} for greater eecrcc,
and qntckncss OF Communication with all tt
members, and promptness Of actfon, al
be united in its folds and working
with you In common cause. You VII!
| know none except those in yonr own Club
nor Will any outside Of your own Club know
| you. If a Club acts fmprudcntly and expose:
Its members, It exposes only those who arr
| in that Club; they cannot expose you; thes
| do not know you as members, and You do mo-
know them. The Chief Of your Club report:
! back to the Club in which be was initiated
| Beyond these two Clubs, he knows nothing
! Of the individual members of this great Bro
| therlood. Sufficiently connected for unft1
! Of action and promptness Of communication
| yet completely Isolated. this arrangement il
| for your protection and safety. As you dt
not wieh Others to know of your Clubs, ant
| each Of you, ns Its members, do not seek Il
know anything of the Clubs around you, b
| content to work quietly, nolselessly, get ef
1ectively, IN a common md sacred cause. fo1
| will be Communicated with regnlurly tbrougl
your Chief, and be kept advised Of all tina
you will need to know. Be careful not Il
reveal ANYTHING that you hear or see In thi
not II member. Be cautious in couyersatio,
with brother members, that you arc not over
| heard. Study secresy, caution, watchfulness
that you may aid in tho best manner to over
come tie enemies Of your liberty, who ar
both secret and subtitle Never propose an
to be true to our cause in heart and action
4 Judas in your Club might endanger 20
and throw dIscredit upon rs all by commnnl
eating with our enemies.
Brothers, you arc united with many other
IN great and just cause, manly and hono'
md the lbertles Of those who are to com
after you. It Ia your cause and that of you
children; be worthy of It. You have give
your solemn pledge Of honor to this oEganlxt
tion: keep It invlolate, every part Of It. B
prompt, and all will yet be well
CHIEFS PLEDGE.
In addition to the pledge which have gi,
en- rs member, /, -, do now solemnl
pledge my sacred word Of honor to my orotl
CT Chiefs and to the members Of this organ
xation, that will faithfully discharge to th
best OF my ability the duties which shall d
1olve upon me AZ Chief Of Clubs that VA
promptly obey all Instructions, and dellvt
rs directed all communications whether wsf
ten or verbal which shall recolvei that
WILL keep faithful watch over the members {
my Club, At NIL times. and see that every re&
ulntion for tts government is faithfully OF
f served; and every order and instruction scr
70 It IL promptly carried out. Any book {
be kept safely md guarded from exposure b
: xcnlous vigilance, and will never deliver
( book, paper, message or order TO any one NJ
, duly authorized by our regulations to recei,
It. For The honor and success of this orgau
! xatlon, and TO promote the sacred and Ju!
cause which IT. itupholds, willingly g1ro th
| solemn pledge, and will keep It In every pa
iHptola&f.
yNsrnUcT1oas.h
In organizing now Club, or IN admlttit
l new uftupcfe, tho ceremony OF lnlti 4tIon
, AZ tollowe; Tho Chief Will Gfst read tho "Dc
, iaratiou Of Principles" ho Will then ask II
initiatc. .Do you subscribe to tho prlnctp!
have lust read ~ II answered In thu At1ru
4 alive, ho will then administer tho membo
pledge.