The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1883-08-10

RTseiicctioRs OF secret order that Fore.
ed Gsod Men 90 "oivc Them,ei vCs
Away"

IN the city OF New Orleans. The or
iginal object Of the organization WA
the capture Of Cuba, and many prom,
inent military men Of the South wer,
the leading spirits in the movement
For reasons which the writer IL not a
liberty TO diyulge, the Elibusterint
plans Of the Ocder were abrupt,
sqnelehed, aud soon thereafter . we'll.
known newspaper man, who had beer
initiated, conceived the idea Of making
"aome fun for the boys" The whole
business Of initiation, ETC., was trans
formed into series Of the most stu
psndus sells, practical jokes and out
rageously comical proceedings evei
dreamed Of. Tie Order spread rapidly
all over the Union. Il was generally
believed by the outside public that the
Sons Of Malta was benevolent society
and to foster this belief frequent lengthy
notices Of charitable deeds performed
by the Order were published in the
newspapers all Over the land. Meet
ings were held weekly, aud there was
80 much solid fun TO be epjoyed that
nothing short Of death in the family
would deter member from attending
therefore, Ia many places, the member.
ship was 30 great that the utmost diff.
ticulty was experienced 10 obtaining
lodge rooms Of sufficient capacity.
Candidates for initiation were usher
ed into the hall where those who were
already members were arranged In
rows, each covered from head to foot
with white or black gown, in which
was cut small holes for the eyes and
mouth. With this garment on the
identity Of the weArcT was perfectly
concealed, and the candidates who were
initiated at one time did not know
whether they were in tho hands oi
friends or strangers.
To each candidate the "Masler of
Ceremonial in q most impressive and
pleasing manner, stated the objects Of
the order apd told how the brother
hood came together with one aim and
one understanding. I'VE are bound
together = be said, "by the ties Of love,
confidence aud charity for one another,
strengthened snd solidified bT the CO
ment of confession. We open up the
secrets Of our hearts In the hearing and
presence If each ether. We are al
sinful creatures and confession ia good
for the soul. Oar good deeds speak foI
themselves, and our bad deeds are re-
corded, and in due time these records
are burned aud the ashes are all that
remain of dead and forgotten past.
Then the candidate was asked if ht
was willing TO leave the sinful world
behind, aud enter upon the new life
An affirmative answer and the initia
ton began. He was immediately
blind folded. led to step.ladder. and
told 10 ascend and seat himself on the
top stair with arms folded This wal
the position each had 10 occupy while
undergoing the ordeal Of confession
Of bis misdeeds. He would Le lee
along by adroit questioning until he
m ade what was regarded as "clear
breast Of his moral shortcomings.
When particularly rich or unexpect
ed admission was pumped out OF him, q
dead, sepulchral voice solemnly esclaim
ed:
"Re-c-o-r-d it,
And Immediately heavy blow wa
struck upon big drum 10 drown th'
irrepressible laughter.
If a candidate gave evidence of dc
sire to conceal anything, he was givei
to understand that the inner secrets o
his soul we're known to the Order, AM
to hesitate in giving them would be Al
objectionable crime in the eyes Of tn
brotherhood. This would suffice 70
many, but the majority would, Of cours
hold out and refuse to answer some in
delicate question, liable to lead into
channel that might involve him in
disagreeabie confession. And al
though this was exactly what was aim
ed at.
In such cases an intimate friend Q
the candidates. would pass up to th
Master of CerEonies on slip Of pape
a point or two in some questionabl
transaction of the applicants life, an
this would prove the key to unlock th
secret recesses Of his heart. The
would the master say, in tone of re
buke
"The records Of the Order show tha
upon such day, in such year, Will
you were in the city Of Cincinnati 20
,, did thus and so." Then in ton
mildle expostulatory he continued :
"My friend would / could call 20
brother--as / have said before, u
your misdeeds are kno wn to the Ordt
to which you are seeking admission
While crossing the portals which SCI