by, without any hesitation or mental reservation whatever,
so help you God, and keep you steadfast."

Next comes the obligations or path for the third degree
members:

"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 as your
efforts can avail, this Union shall have no end, do solemnly
and sincerely swear or affirm, that you will not, under any
circumstances, disclose in any manner, nor suffer it to be
done by others, if in your power to prevent it, the name,
signs, pass-words, or other secrets of this degree, except to
those whom you may prove on trial to be brothers of
the same degree, or in open council for the purpose of in-
struction: that you do hereby solemnly declare your de-
votion to the Union of these States: that in the discharge of
your duties as American citizens, you will uphold, main-
tain, and defend it: that you will discourage and dis-
countenance 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 weaken its bonds: and that
you will use your influence, as far as in your power, in en-
deavoring to procure an amicable and equitable adjustment
of all political discontents, or differences which may threaten
its injury or overthrow. You do 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, which you
know or believe to be in favor of a dissolution of the Union
of these States, or who is endeavoring to produce that re-
sult: THAT YOU WILL VOTE FOR AND SUPPORT FOR ALL POLITICAL

officers, THIRD OR UNION DEGREE MEMBERS op
this order in preference to ALL OTHERS: that if it may
be done consistently with the Constitution and laws of the
and, you will, when elected or appointed to any official sta-
ion 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 American Union, or who are en-
deavoring to produce that result: and that you will in no case
appoint such persons 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 Union, to sustain and
abide by, without any hesitation or mental reservation what-
ever. You also promise and swear, or affirm, that this and
all other obligations which you have previously taken in

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