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If the color of---------be —-------, it will denote actual trouble, which

requires that you come prepared to meet it.

The " cry of distress" (to be used only in the time of danger, or
where the American interest requires an immediate assemblage of the
brethren) is---------. The response is---------.

The " sign of caution" (to be given when a brother is speaking un-
guardedly before a stranger) is---------, which signifies " keep dark."

Brothers, you are now initiated into and made acquainted with the
work and organization of a council of this degree of the order, and the
marshal will present you to the worthy president for admonition.

President. It has, no doubt, been long apparent to you, brothers,
that foreign influence and Roman Catholicism have been making steady
and alarming progress in our country. You cannot have failed to ob-
serve the significant transition of the foreigner and Romanist from a
character quiet, retiring, and even abject, to one bold, threatening,
turbulent, and despotic in its appearance and assumptions. You must
have become alarmed at the systematic and rapidly augmenting power
of these dangerous and unnatural elements of our national condition.
So is it, brothers, with others besides yourselves, in every State of the
Union. A sense of danger has struck the great heart of the nation.
In every city, town and hamlet the danger has been seen and the alarm
sounded; and hence, true men have devised this order as a means of
disseminating patriotic principles, of keeping alive the fire of national
virtue, of fostering the national intelligence, and of advancing America
and the American interests, on the one side; and on the other, of
checking the stride of the foreigner or alien, of thwarting the machi-
nations and subverting the deadly plans of the Papist and Jesuit.

Note.—[The president shall impress upon the initiates the import-
ance of secrecy, the manner of proceeding in recommending candidates
for initiation, and the responsibility of the duties which they have as-
sumed.]

RITUAL OF SECOND DEGREE.

Second Degree Council.

Marshal. Worthy President: These brothers having been duly
elected to the second degree of this order, I present them to you for ob-
ligation.

President. Brothers: You will place your left hand upon your right
breast, and extend your right hand towards the flag of your country,
preparatory to obligation. [Each council-room should have a neat Amer-
ican flag festooned over the platform of the president.]

Obligation. You, and each of you, of your own free will and accord,
in the presence of Almighty God and these witnesses, your left hand
resting upon your right breast, and your right hand extended to the flag
of your country, do solemnly and sincerely swear that you will not, un-
der any circumstances, disclose in any manner, nor suffer it to be done
by others if in your power to prevent it, the name, sign, pass-words, or
other secrets of this degree, except in open council for the purpose of
instruction; that you will in all things conform to all the rules and regu-
lations of this order, and to the constitution and by-laws of this or any