Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-08-21

Kennebec Journal as the State paper
and official organ. That is matter of
record and will not be denied. Early in
February following r. G. Lincoln went
as delegate 10 the National Know
Nothing Convention at Cincinnati, and
on the 24th Of February. after his re-
turn, he introduced into the Maine Leg
islature the law already quoted in the
World, which forbade the courts of
Maine to issue naturalization papers to
any man OF foreign birth. That law was
signed by Governor Morrill, and ap-
proved by the Kennebec Journal, the
official paper of his administration, made
80 by vote Of the Legislature, and
thereby, if in no other way, sanctioned
by Mr.. Blaine. That Mr.. Stephens
should now come in and assume the sole
responsibility Of the Journals course in
this particular matter is very transpar-
ent effort at humbug. Ia this connec-
tion may as well quote the oath taken
by the members Of the secret Know.
Nething order. Mr.. Stephens took it,
and how hard he tried to live up to it,
and how far he carried Mr.. Blaine with
him are amply shown by what each
wrote and both approved. Here is
THE OATH:
"You and each Of you of your own
free will and accord, in the presence OF
Almighty God and these witnesses. your
right hand resting on the holy Bible and
Cross, and your left hand toward Heaven
in token Of your sincerity, do solemnly
swear, that you will not make known 10
any person or persons any of the signs,
secrets, mysteries or objects Of this or
ganization, unless it be to those whom,
after due examination or lawful informa-
ton, you shall find to be members of
this organization in good standing; that
you will not cut, carve, print, paint,
stamp. stain or in any way, directly or
indirectly, expose any of the secrets or
objects Of this order, nor suffer it to be
done by others il in your power to pre-
vent it, unless it be for official instruc-
ton; that so long as you are connected
with this organization, if not regularly
dismissed from II, you will, in all things,
political or social go far as this order is
concerned, comply with the will Of the
majority, when expressed in lawful
manner, though it may conflict with
your personal preference, SO long as it
does not conflict with the grand State
or subordinate constitutions, the Consti-
tuition Of the United States Of America,
or that Of the State in which you reside;
and that you will not, under any circum-
stances whatever, knowingly recommend
an unworthy person for initiation, nor
suffer it to be done if in your power to
prevent it. You furthermore promise
and declare, that you scM mol rote. nor
give your influence, for any man. for any
Office In the gif Of the people, unless he
be an american born citizen, in favor
Of 4mericaa-born citizens ruling Amer
ica-nor If he be Roman Catholic;
and that yon r;H not, under any cir
cunstances. expose the name of any
member of this order, nor reveal The er-
isteace Of such an Organization.
''ro all the foregoing you bind your
self. under the no less penalty Of that Of
being expelled from this order, and of
having your name posted aud circulated
throughout the different councils Of the
United States as a pcrjurer and as a
traitor to God and your country, as be-
ing unfit to be employed, trusted, coun-
tenanced or supported in any business
transaction; as q person totally unwor-
thy the confidence Of good men, and as
one to whom the finger Of scorn should
ever point-s0 HELP YOU GoD."
IL is now q very easy matter to ex-
plain the hostility Of the Kennebec
Journal against the Irish people and the
Catholic Church. While Mr.. Blaine
never took the oath, his associate, Mr.
Stephens did, aad the two worked in
perfect accord. Mr.. Stephens himself,
when he came into the paper, declared
they were in thought and sympathy with
each other, and II Mr.. Lincoln had not
been convinced they were he never
would have moved that the paper be
made the official organ Of the State as
long as Mr.. Blaine was in 1t. At that
time Know Nothingism was leading
issue and the Kennebec Journal was its
foremost advocate in the State OF Maine.
The explanation that Mr.. Stephens
makes does not seem to explain.
The Agricultural Departments esti-
mate Of the wheat crop for this year is
about 4S5, 600, 900 bushels.