purity. Begin with the youth of our land. Instil into their minds the lessons of our country's history-the glorious battles and the brilliant deeds of patriotism of our fathers, through which we received the inestimable blessings of civil and religious liberty. Point them to the example of the sages and the statesmen who founded our government. Implant in their bosoms an ardent love for the Union. Above all else, keep alive in their bosoms the memory, the maxims, and the deathless example of our illustrious WASHINGTON. Brothers, recalling to your minds the solemn obligations which you have severally taken in this and the first degree, I now pronounce you entitled to all the privileges of membership in this the second degree of our order. THIRD DEGREE COUNCIL. Marshal.-Worthy President, these brothers having been duly elected to the third degree of this order, I present them before you for obligation. President.-Brothers, you will place yourselves in a circle around me, each one crossing your arms upon your breasts, and grasping firmly each other's hands, holding the right hand of the brother on the right and the left hand of the brother on the left, so as to form a circle, symbolical of the links of an unbroken chain, and of a ring which has no end. Note. This degree is to be conferred with the national flag elevated in the centre of the circle, by the side of the president or instructor, and not on less than five at any one time, in order to give it solemnity, and also for the formation of the circle except in the first instance of conferring it on the officers of the state and subordinate councils, that they may be empowered to progress with the work. The obligation and charge in this degree may be given by the president or instructor, as the president may prefer. OBLIGATION. in open council, for the purpose of instruction; that you do hereby solemnly declare your devotion to the Union of these States; that in the discharge of your duties as American citizens, you will uphold, maintain, and defend it; that you will discourage and discountenance any and every attempt, coming from any and every quarter, which you believe to be designed or calcu lated to destroy or subvert it, or to weaken its bonds; and that you will use your influ ence, so far as in your power, in endeavoring to procure an amicable and equitable adjustment of all political discontents or differences which may threaten its injury or overthrow. You further promise and swear [or affirm] that you will not vote for any one to fill any office of honor, profit or trust of a political character, whom you know or believe to be in favor of a dissolution of the Union of these States, or who is endeavoring to produce that result; that you will vote for and support for all political offices, third or union degree members of this order in preference to all others; that if it may be done consistently with the constitution and laws of the land, you will, when elected or appointed to any official station which may confer on you the power to do so, remove from office or place all persons whom you know or believe to be in favor of a dissolution of the Union, or who are endeavoring to produce that result; and that you will in no case appoint such person to any political office or place whatever. All this you promise and swear [or affirm] upon your honor as American citizens and friends of the American Union, to sustain and abide by without any hesitation or mental reservation whatever. You also promise and swear [or affirm] that this and all other obligations which you have previously taken in this order, shall ever be kept sacred and inviolate. To all this you pledge your lives, your fortunes, and your sacred honors. So help you God and keep you steadfast. (Each one shall answer, "I do.") President.-Brother Marshal, you will now present the brothers to the instructor for final instruction in this third degree of the order. Marshal.-Instructor, by direction of our worthy president, I present these brothers before you that you may instruct them in the secrets and mysteries of this the third degree of our order. You, and each of you, of your own free will and accord, in the presence of Almighty God and these witnesses, with your hands joined in token of that fraternal affection which should ever bind together the States of this Union-forming a ring, in token of your determination that, so far Instructor-Brothers, in this degree as as your efforts can avail, this Union shall in the second, we have an entering passhave no end-do solemnly and sincerely word, a degree password, and a token of swear [or affirm] that you will not under salutation. At the outer door (make any any circumstances disclose in any manner, ordinary alarm. The outside sentinel will nor suffer it to be done by others if in your say U; you say ni; the sentinel will repower to prevent it, the name, signs, pass-join on). This will admit you to the inner words, or other secrets of this degree, ex- door. At the inner door you will make cept to those to whom you may prove on (three) distinct (raps). Then announce trial to be brothers of the same degree, or your name, with the number (or name) and location of the council to which you organization modeled after that of the Conbelong, giving the explanation to the pass-stitution of the United States, and coexword, which is (safe). If found correct, tensive with the confederacy. Its object you will then be admitted, when you will and principles, in all matters of national proceed to the centre of the room, and concern, to be uniform and identical whilst placing the hands on the breast with the in all local matters the component parts fingers interlocked), give the token of salu-shall remain independent and sovereign tation, which is (by boring to the president). within their respective limits. You will then quietly take your seat. The sign of recognition is made by the same action as in the second degree, with the addition of (the third finger), and the response is made by (a similar action with the left hand.) The great result to be attained-the only one which can secure a perfect guarantee as to our future-is UNION; permanent, enduring, fraternal UNION! Allow me, then, to impress upon your minds and memories the touching sentiments of the Father of (The grip is given by taking hold of the his Country, in his Farewell Address: hand in the usual way, and then by slipping The unity of government which constithe finger around on the top of the thumb,tutes you one people," says Washington, then extending the little finger and pressing" is justly dear to you, for it is the main the inside of the wrist. The person chal-pillar in the edifice of your real independlenging shall say, do you know what that is?ence, the support of your tranquillity at The answer is s. The challenging party home, of your peace abroad, of your safety, shall say, further what is it? The answer your prosperity-even that liberty you so is, Union. justly prize. [The instructor will here give the grip of this degree, with explanations, and also the true pas word of this degree, which is (Union.)) CHARGE. * * It is of infinite moment that vou should properly estimate the immense value of your National Union, to your collective and individual happiness. You should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it, as the palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with ever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now bind together the various parts." To be given by the president. Brothers, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate you upon your advancement to the third degree of our order. The re-jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatspon-ibilities you have now assumed, are more serious and weighty than those which preceded, and are committed to such only as have been tried and found worthy. Our obligations are intended as solemn avowals of ur duty to the land that gave us birth; to the memories of our fathers; and to the happiness and welfare of our children. Let these words of paternal advice and Consecrating to your country a spirit un-warning, from the greatest man that ever selfish and a fidelity like that which dis-lived, sink deep into your hearts. Cherish tinguished the patriots of the Revolution, them, and teach your children to reverence you have pledged your aid in cementing them, as you cherish and reverence the the bonds of a Union which we trust will memory of Washington himself. endure for ever. Your deportment since Union of these states is the great conservayour initiation has attested your devotion tor of that liberty so dear to the American to the principles we desire to establish, and heart. Without it, our greatness as a nahas inspired a confidence in your patriot- tion would disappear, and our boasted selfism, of which we can give no higher proof government prove a signal failure. The than your reception here. very name of liberty, and the hopes of The dangers which threaten American struggling freedom throughout the world, liberty arise from foes without and from must perish in the wreck of this Union. enemies within. The first degree pointed Devote yourselves, then, to its maintenance, out the source and nature of our most im- as our fathers did to the cause of independminent peril, and indicated the first mea-ence; consecrating to its support, as you sure of safety. The second degree defined have sworn to do, your lives, your fortunes, the next means by which, in coming time, and your sacred honors. The such assaults may be rendered harmless. Brothers: Recalling to your minds the The third degree, which you have just re-solemn obligations which you have severceived, not only reiterates the lessons of ally taken in this and the preceding degrees, the other two, but it is intended to avoid I now pronounce you entitled to all the and provide for a more remote, but no less terrible danger, from domestic enemies to our free institutions. Our object is briefly this:-to perfect an privileges of membership in this organization, and take pleasure in informing you that you are now members of the order of (the American Union.) American, Whig, Republican and Demo cratic Nominations of 1856. 69 that the spirit of our institutions, as well as the Constitution of our country, guarThe American convention met the next anties liberty of conscience and equality of day after the session of the National Coun- rights among citizens, we oppose all legiscil of the Order, on the 22d February, lation impairing their security" The Democratic Convention, met at 1856. It was composed of 227 delegates; Cincinnati, in May 1856, and nominated all the States being represented except James Buchanan for President, and John Maine, Vermont, Georgia and South Car- Breckenridge for Vice-President. It olina. Hon. Millard Fillmore was nominated for President, and Andrew J. Don elson for Vice-President. * The Whig Convention met at Baltimore, September, 17, 1856, and endorsed the nominations made by the American party, and in its platform declared that "without adopting or referring to the peculiar doctrines of the party which has already selected Mr. Fillmore as a candi-i date" * * Resolved, that in the present exigency of political affairs, we are not called upon to discuss the subordinate questions of the administration in the exercising of the constitutional powers of the government. It is enough to know that civil war is raging, and that the Union is in peril; and proclaim the conviction that the restoration of Mr. Fillmore to the Presidency will furnish the best if not the only means of restoring peace." The first National Convention of the new Republican party met at Philadelphia, June 18, 1856, and nominated John C. Fremont for President, and William L. Dayton for Vice-President. Since the previous Presidential election, a new party consisting of the disaffected former adherents of the other parties-Native and Independent Democrats, Abolitionists, and Whigs opposed to slavery-had sprung into existence, and was called by its adherents and friends, the Republican party. C. adopted a platform which contained the and At the election which followed, in November, 1856, the Democratic candidates were elected, though by a popular minority vote, having received 1,838,160 popular votes, and 174 electoral votes, against 2,215,768 popular votes, and 122 electoral votes for John C. Fremont, the Republican candidate, and Mr. Fillmore, the Whig and American candidate. The aggregate vote cast for Mr. Fillmore, who was the nominee on both the Whig and American tickets, was 874,534, and This convention of delegates assembled his electoral vote was eight; that of the in pursuance of a call addressed to the State of Maryland. This was the last napeople of the United States, without regard tional election at which the Whigs apto past political differences or divisions, peared as a party, under that name; they who were opposed to the repeal of the having joined with the American and with Missouri Compromise. To the policy of the Republican parties, and finally united President Pierce's administration: To the with the latter after the downfall and exextension of slavery into free territory: In tinction of the former. In the State elecfavor of the admission of Kansas as a free tions of that year, (1856) the American State: Of restoring the action of the fed-party carried Rhode Island and Maryland; eral government to the principles of Washington and Jefferson. and in the 35th Congress, which met in December, 1857, the party had 15 to 20 It adopted a platform, consisting of a set Representatives and five Senators. When of resolutions, the principal one of which the 36th Congress met, in 1859, it had bewas: "That we deny the authority of come almost a border State or Southern Congress, of a territorial legislature, of any party, having two Senators; one from individual, or association of individuals, Kentucky and one from Maryland; and to give legal existence to slavery in any 23 Representatives, five from Kentucky, territory of the United States, while the seven from Tennessee, three from Marypresent Constitution shall be maintained." land, one from Virginia, four from North And closed with a resolution: "That we Carolina, two from Georgia, and one from invite the approbation and co-operation of Louisiana. The American party had none the men of all parties, however different of the elements of persistence. It made from us in other respects, in support of the another desperate effort, however, in the principles herein declared; and believing next Presidential campaign, but having one half of the whole population of the country; given to their Presidential candidate nearly three times as many electoral votes as were cast by the Whig party in 1852; and this day control the governments of fourteen of the most powerful States of the Union. "Well may our adversaries tremble in the hour of their victory 'The Democratic and Black Republican parties,' they say, 'are nearly balanced in regard to power. The former was victorious in the recent struggle, but success was hardly won, with the aid of important accidental advantages. The latter has abated nothing of its zeal, and has suffered no pause in its preparations for another battle. "With such numerical force, such zeal, intelligence, and harmony in counsel; with so many great States, and more than a million voters rallied to their standard by the efforts of a few months, why may not the Republicans confidently expect a victory in the next contest? The necessity for their organization still exists in all its force. Mr. Buchanan has “Republican Association of Washington. always proved true to the demands of his Address to the Republicans of the United States. “WASHINGTON, Nov. 27, 1856. The Presidential contest is over, and at last we have some materials to enable us to form a judgment of the results. party. He fully accepted the Cincinnati platform, and pledged himself to its policy a policy of filibustering abroad, propagandism at home. Prominent and controlling among his supporters are men committed, by word and deed, to that policy; and what is there in his character, his antecedents, the nature of his northern support, to authorize the expectation that he will disregard their will? Nothing will be so likely to restrain him and counteract their extreme measures, as a vigorous and growing Republican organization, as nothing would be more necessary to save the cause of freedom and the Union, should he, as we have every reason to believe, continue the pro-slavery policy of the present incumbent. Let us beware of folding our arms, and waiting to see what he will do. We know the ambition, the necessities, the schemes of the slave power. Its policy of extension and aggrandizement and universal empire, is the law of its being, not an accident-is settled, not fluctuating. Covert or open, moderate or extreme, according to circumstances, it never changes in spirit or aim. With Mr. Buchanan, the elect of a party controlled by this policy, administering the government, the safety of the country and of free institutions must rest in the organization of the Republican party Seldom have two parties emerged from a conflict with less of joy in the victors, more of hope in the vanquished. The pro-slavery party has elected its Presidential candidate, only, however, by the votes of a minority, and that of such a character a to stamp the victory as the offspring of sectionalism and temporary causes. The Republicans, wherever able to present clearly to the public the real issue of the canvass-slavery restriction or slavery extension-have carried the people with them by unprecedented majorities; almost breaking up in some States the organization of their adversaries. A sudden gathering together of the people, alarmed at the inroads of the slave power, rather than a well organized party, with but a few months to attend to the complicated details of party warfare; obstructed by a secret Order, which had pre-occupied the field, and obtained a strong hold of the national and religious prejudices of the masses; opposed to an old party, commencing the canvass with the united support of a powerful section, hardened by What, then, is the duty before us? long party drill, accustomed to victory, Organization, vigilance, action; action on wielding the whole power of the federal the rostrum, through the press, at the baladministration—a party which only four lot-box; in state, county, city, and town years ago carried all but four of the States, elections; everywhere, at all times; in every and a majority of the popular vote-still, election, making Republicanism, or loyalunder all these adverse circumstances, they ty to the policy and principles it advocates, have triumphed in eleven, if not twelve of the sole political test. No primary or the free States, pre-eminent for enterprise municipal election should be suffered to and general intelligence, and containing go by default. The party that would suc ceed nationally must triumph in states-time and means to consolidate its strength triumph in the state elections, must be and mature its plans, which comprehend prepared by municipal success. not only the enslavement of Kansas, and Next to the remaining power in the the recognition of slavery in all territory of states already under their control, let the the United States, but the conversion of Republicans devote themselves to the the lower half of California into a slave work of disse.ninating their principles, State, the organization of a new slavery and initiating the true course of political territory in the Gadsden purchase, the fuaction in the states which have decided the ture annexation of Nicaragua and subjuelection against them. This time we have gation of Central America, and the acquifailed, for reasons nearly all of which may be sition of Cuba; and, as the free States are removed by proper effort. Many thousand not expected to submit to all this, ultimate honest, but not well-informed voters, who dismemberment of the Union, and the forsupported Mr. Buchanan under the delu- mation of a great slaveholding confedersive impression that he would favor the acy, with foreign alliances with Brazil and cause of free Kansas will soon learn their Russia. It may assume at first a moderate mistake, and be anxious to correct it. The tone, to prevent the sudden alienation of its timid policy of the Republicans in New Northern allies; it may delay the developJersey, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, in post- ment of its plot, as it did under the Pierce poning their independent action, and tem- administration, but the repeal of the Misporizing with a party got up for purposes souri compromise came at last, and so will not harmonizing with their own, and the come upon the country inevitably the final conduct of Mr. Fillmore's friends in either acts of the dark conspiracy When that voting for Mr. Buchanan, or dividing the hour shall come, then will the honest Demopposition by a separate ticket, can hardly ocrats of the free States be driven into our be repeated again. The true course of the ranks, and the men of the slave States who Republicans is to organize promptly, bold-prefer the republic of Washington, Adams ly, and honestly upon their own principles, and Jefferson-a republic of law, order so clearly set forth in the Philadelphia and liberty-to an oligarchy of slaveholdplatform, and, avoiding coalitions with ers and slavery propagandists, governed by other parties, appeal directly to the masses Wise, Atchison, Soulé, and Walker, founded of all parties to ignore all organizations in fraud and violence and seeking aggranand issues which would divert the public dizement by the spoliation of nations, will mind from the one danger that now threat- bid God speed to the labors of the Repubens the honor and interests of the country, lican party to preserve liberty and the and the subtlety of the Union-slavery Union, one and inseparable, perpetual and propagandism allied with disunionism. all powerful. Let us not forget that it is not the want of generous sentiment, but of sufficient information, that prevents the American people from being united in action against the aggressive policy of the slave power. Were these simple questions submitted to-day to the people of the United States :-Are you in favor of the extension of slavery? Are you in favor of such extension by the aid or connivance of the federal government? And could they be permitted to record their votes in response, without embarrassment, without constraint of any kind, nineteentwentieths of the people of the free States, and perhaps more than half of the people of the slave States, would return a decided negative to both. Let us have faith in the people. Let us believe, that at heart they are hostile to the extension of slavery, desirous that the territories of the Union be consecrated to free labor and free institutions; and that they require only enlightenment as to the most effectual means of securing this end, to convert their cherished sentiment into a fixed principle of action. The times are pregnant with warning. That a disunion party exists in the South, no longer admits of a doubt. It accepts the election of Mr. Buchanan as affording Washington, D. C., Nov 27, 1856. The Kansas Struggle. It was the removal of the interdiction against slavery, in all the territory north of 36° 30, by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise which gave legality to the struggle for Kansas, and it was the dootrine of popular sovereignty which gave an impartial invitation to both sides to enter the struggle. The aggressive men of both parties hurried emigrants to the Territory Each accused the other of organized efforts, and soon in the height of the excitement these charges were rather confessed than denied. A new question was soon evolved by the struggle, for some who entered from the South took their slaves with them. The Free State men now contended_that_slavery was a local institution and confined to the States where it existed, and that if an emigrant passed into the territory with his slaves these became free. The Southern view was, that slaves were recognized as property by the National Constitution; that therefore their masters had a right to take them there and hold them under con |