bidding! This ballot (taking it out and looking at it, he
might say to himself,) was once in my hands an evidence
and instrument of sovereignty, the guardian of my rights,
and the creature of my will; what is it now ? A tool of bond-
age, to be used subserviently, not to advance my own will
and wishes, but to subserve the contrary will and wishes of
others ! This is but a fancy sketch, but it may be nearer to
a true picture than many an original will admit.

A word now upon the clause in the obligation of the third
degree, which as quoted, is in these words: "That you (the
member) will support for all political offices, third or union de-
gree members of this order in preference to all others." What
does this mean ? Are there kings, lords and commons in this
society? First, second and third, degree, and the solemn
pledge hereto support for all political offices, members of the
third degree in preference to all others. What! are men to
be supported in America for office according to rank ? It has
been thought that merit was the only true standard by which
candidates for political offices and honors should be measured
in this Republic, and there is a clause in the Constitution of
the United States which forbids the granting of any title of
nobility. It sounds very much like an order of nobility to
hear talk of men of the third degree of an order to be sup-
ported for all political offices in preference to all others!!
How far such a provision comports with the feelings or inter-
ests of the substratum of the society, the members of the first
and second degrees, it is not in the power of this minority to
say. They therefore leave it to themselves. But they are
free to declare, that they consider it repugnant to the nature
and genius of American institutions, Constitutions and laws,
and to the fundamental principles of all free government to
have established amongst them any class or order of men,
who claim, or have conceded to them the right, by virtue of
any obligation resting upon any considerable portion of the
people to that effect or otherwise, to be supported for all polit-
ical offices in preference to all others! From all which, this
minority conclude and say, in answer to the second branch of
inquiry, that according to the evidence before them, they are
of the opinion that there has existed, and does exist, in Mary-
land and many other States of this Union, an organized politi-
cal society, which encourages and pursues principles and pur-
poses which tend to the subversion of the well established and
deeply-cherished principles of our Government, and that party
is known and distinguished by the name of the Know-Nothing
Society or Order, sometimes assuming the name of American
Party.

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