The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-06-30
Official Gatha.

A comparison of the official oaths of
several countries, apropos Of the Brad
laugh affair, says New York paper is
not uninteresting. France demands no
oath, not even any equivalent formality,
before her legislators enter upon their
duties. Even under tine empire the
deity was not called upon, the simple
formula being, II swear fidelity to the
emperor and the constitution"
In Austria, also, there is no oath, but,
in reply to question from the president
of the reichsrath, whether the new men,
Der promises loyalty and obedience to
the emperor, inviolable observance Of
the constitution, as we'll as of all other
laws. and conscientious fulfillment of
his duty" the new member simply re-
plies, Il promise"
The reason that members of the Ger
man parliament take no oath is that
many of them are under oath of alle-
glance to their respective states in the
German federation, and so q conflict of
duty might arise if two oaths were in
sisted upon. The Prussian member of
parliament takes an oath beginning, Il
swear by God, the omnipotent and ON
niscent," and ending $50 may God help
NO." AS if this were not enough, those
who choose, it is provided, 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 Spanish monarchy? Do you swear
fidelity and obedience to the legitimate
king of Spain, Alfonso Nil? Do you
swear we'll and truly to behave in the
mission confided to you by the nation,
always aid in everything seeking the
welfare of the nation?" The answer ex-
pected is Eyes | do swear" and the re-
plication is, "If you do so may God re-
ward you, and if you do not may he call
you to account" In 1873, it may be said
Senior CASTELAR, and fifteen others were
the Bradlaughs of Spain, but their objec-
tons were not based on religious or ire
ligious grounds.
In Italy the president of the chamber
of deputies says with elaborate polite
ness, II invite the honorable gentlemen
to take the oath in the form following:
II swear to be faithful to the king and
to observe loyalty the fundamental stat
ute ana the Otner laws VI Tue Statt, Will
a single view to the inseparable welfare
of the king and the country" The new
deputy responds with the single word,
"Giurgo," 1 swear)
The oath to which Mr.. Bradlaugh OBJ
iects seems harmless enough. 1t reads:
II do swear that l will be faithful and
bear true allegiance to her majesty,
Queen Victoria, her heirs and successors,
according to law; so help me God" OBJ
viously, any man who believes in any
God, whether Jew or Mohammedan or
Christian. might honorably assent to
every letter OF this oath. And so, too, of
course, might any man who believed in
no God at all. For him the oath lacks
its usual sanction, and scrupulous honor
might lead him to point this out at the
time of complying with the custom OF
oath taking; but there can be no doubt
that dozens, perhaps scores, OF other
members of Parliament do not agree
with Mr.. Bradlaugh in this view OF the
subject.
The United States, it is generally
known, have two oaths, but their precise
forms are familiar.