Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-09-12

ally the members Of this patriotic organization.
Wilt Thou be pleased to direct and prosper all our
consultations to the advancement Of Thy glory; the
honor and welfare of Thy people; and may all
things be ordered and settled by the coordinate
branches of our government upon the best and su-
rest foundations, SO that peace and happiness,
truth, liberty and justice may be established among
us for all generations.
Save us, we pray Thee, from foreign foes and
domestic traitors, and make us all faithful and true
to the noble cause of constitutional liberty which
Thou hast graciously committed to our care Be
pleased to guide and direct US, as Thou didst our
forefathers. With the strength Of thine Almighty
arm Thou didst uphold and sustain them through
all their fiery trials, and ut last did crown them
with victory.
May we be united in love fof our common cou1-
try imbued with sentiments of liberty, attached to
the principles of the Constitution, filled with rev
erence for thy Holy Law, and may Thy good spir-
it guide, strengthen and comfort U.S. now, and for
ever. Amen. ;.,-. ~.
Here, after darkening the room, the NJ. lights
the fire of liberty, to burn during the administra-
ton Of the obligation; the members will be notified
to join hands in circle around the candidates and
the altar-the P. stepping within the circle.
When there are more candidates than can reach
the flag or Bible, they should be divided and obi
gated by sections. -., .....-..
The P. then continues as follows: Now place
your left hand on the national flag and raise your
right toward heaven, repeating after me the fol-
lowing obligation:
OBLIGATION.
I, (repeat your name after mine, do solemny
swear Tor afirm) in the presence Of God and these
witnesses, that will never voluntarily bear arms
against the United States, while am citizen
thereof; that Will support, protect and defend
the Constitution and Government of the United
States and the flag thereof, against all enemies,
foreign or domestic that will bear true faith and
allegiance to the same; and that will also defend
this State against any INVASION insurrection or re-
bellion, to the extent of my ability.
This freely pledge without mental reservation
or evasion. Furthermore, that will do oil in my
power to elect true and reliable Union men, and
supporters Of the government, and none others, to
all offices of profit or trust, from the lowest to the
highest, in ward, town, county, State and general
government. And should / ever be called to fill
any Office will faithfully carry out the objects
and principles of this League for the good of the
order. And further, that I will protect aid and
defend all worthy members of the Union League
and that will never make known in any way, to
to any person or persons not members OF the U.
l., any of the signs or pass words, proceedings de-
bates or plans of this or any other G. under this
organization, except when engaged in admitting
new members into this L. place your right hand
upon the Holy Bible.) And with my right hand
upon the holy Bible, Declaration of Independence
and the Constitution of the United States Of A.
merica, under the seal of my sacred honor, l &C
knowledge myself firmly bound and pledged to the
faithful performance Of this my solemn obligation
So help me God. .,i.!s,z. s..f sr.'' --ssla-l, +,
Response by the members. ' III.
To this we pledge ourselves.
p. Gentlemen, around you is band of brothers
alike sacredly pledged. This circle is never to be
broken by treachery.
(Response by the members: "Never!")
P. Brothers, will you enlarge your circle to ad
NIT new members?
(Response:) "We will"
P. With clasped and uplfted hands repeat Of
ter me the
FREE,IAN's PLEDGE.
To defend and perpetuate freedom and the Uni
on, I pledge my life, my fortune and my sacreo
honor. So help me God. Then follows a song.
The members of the Council will now be seated
before the Altar.
.'.-- CHARGE.
The oath you have now taken of your own fret
will and accord cannot now be violated without
leaving the stain of perjury on your souls. You
have declared that, under God, your first anc
highest allegiance is to the government of the u
States You have taken such an oath of allegi
ance upon the Holy Bible, Constitution and Dec
laration of independence, lying within the folds o.
the flag of the Union. These contain the endu
ring records Of our rights and privileges.
The symbols of industry which greet you upor
the altar, are to remind you of one Of the mair
purposes of our order, and to represent the foun
dation on which our institutonress. To strengthen
and elevate this, is to add to the grandeur and du
rabilty of the structure we uphold. s..
The flag is the ensign of our American nation
ality-the visible emblem of the sovereignty of the
Union Its stars represent the sister States; it
stripes, the thirteen original States its colors cour
age, purity and truth. ..
The Bible contains mans moral code and the
principles of his religious faith points out his duty
to his fellow creatures; the reward Of virtue and
the punishment Of vice.
The Declaration of independence declares, as
selfevident truths, that oil men are created equa
that they are endowed by their Creator with in
aenable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit Of
happiness 1t denies the despot's dogma Of the
'Divine right of kings to rule over mankind. Il
asserts that governments derive their just powers
from the consent of the governed, and solemnly af
firms the right of the American people to govern
themselves as free and independent nation.
The Constitution is an instrument reducing tt
practice the precepts of the declaration. 1t is lib
ertyregulated by law. It defines and circumscribe'
the powers and duties of the national government
It was ordained by the fathers, Sin order to form
more perfect Union, establish justice, insure do
mestic tranquility, provide for the common defence
promote the general welfare and secure the bles
sings of liberty to themselves and their posterity.
The swords weapon of protection and defence
By it and the aid of Divine Providence the indie
pendence of the American people was obtained
With it we may defend the rights and liberties be
longing to free and loyal people, jealous Of the
.