The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-07-06
WHOLE NO. 1865.


a comparison Of the official oath.
Of several countries, apropos Of the
Of the Bradlaugh affair, says a New
York paper, is nothing uninterest-
ing. France demands no oath
nor even any equivalent forrnality.
before her legislators enter upon
their duties. Even under the en-
pire the deity was not called upon,
the simple formula being, II swear
fidelity to the emperor and the con-
stitution."
In Austria, also, there is no oath,
but, in reply to a question from the
president of the reichsrath, whether
the new member promises loyalty
and obedience to the emperor, IN
yiolable observance Of the constitu-
ton, as well as of all other laws,
and concientious fuliIlment of his
duty the new member simply re-
plies, Il promise"
The reason that members Of the
German parliament take no oath is
that many Of them are under an
oath of allegiance to their respect
i've states in the German federation,
and so conflict of duty might
arise if two oaths were insisted upon.
The prussian member Of parliament
takes an oath beginning, i swear
by God, the omnipotent and om-
niscient," and ending So my God,
help me-" As If this were not
enough, those who choose, it is pro-
yided, may add through Jesus
Christ to eternal bliss, amen"
The Spanish deputies are put
through something OF a catechism.
The secretary asks them: 'Do you
swear to observe, and make others
observe, the constitution Of the Span
ish monarchy? Do you swear f.
deity and obedience to the legiti-
mate king Of Spain, Alfonso XII?
Do you swear well and truly to be-
have in the mission confded to you
by the nation, always and in every
thing seeking the welfare Of the ma
ton ?" The answer expected is,
Yes, 1 do swear" and the replica
ton IS, IF you do so may God re-
ward you, and if you do not may
He call you to account" In 1879
it may be said, Senor- CASTELAR, and
fifteen others were the Bradlaughs
Of Spain, but their objections were
not based on religious or irre.igious
grounds.
In Italy the president Of the
chamber OF deputies says with elab-
orate politeness, Il invite the hon
orable gentlemen to take the oath
N the form following: T swear to |
be faithful to the kim snd to OBJ
serve loyalty the fundamental stat
lte and the other laws OF the state.
With q single view to H. ias, aara-
Jle welfare OF the XII az the /
country. The new deputy responds /
With the single word, "Qiurgo, p (II
;wear).
The oath to which Mr. Bradlaugh /
objects seems harmless enough. Ii
.eads: Il do swear that I VIII be /
aithful and bear Itrue allesience to I
Ter majesty, Queen Victoria, herl
leirs and successors, according to I
aw; so help me God" Obviously, I
my man who believes in any Goa, /
Christian or Jew or No I
lammedan, might honorably assent /
0 every letter Of his oath. And
o, too, of course, might any man
rho believed in no God at all. For
iim the oath lacks its usual sane
ion, and scrupulous honor might
cad him to point this out at The
ime of complying with the custom I
f oath-moking but there can be
10 doubt that dozens perhaps
cores, of other members Of parlia-
aent do not agree with Mr.. Brad
iugh in this view Of the subject. 4
The United States, it is generally !
nown. have two oaths, but their
recise forms are familiar.