K.

GC
FIRST, OR MILITARY DEGREE.
[INSTRUCTIONS.At the appointed hour for the opening of the Castle the Captain will take his seat and give one distinct rap with the mallet upon his tablewhereupon the officers, having previously donned their regalia, will immediately assume their posts. The members will all seat themselves and maintain profound silence. CAPTAIN. Sergeant, examine those in the Castle and ascertain if each has our password. [Sergeant passes around among the members and receives the password from each; then advances to the centre of the room and salutes the Captain with the "true sign."]
SERGEANT.Captain,
CAPTAIN.--'Tis

there are none but members present.

well. Return to your post. [Sergeant assumes his post at the door.] Cavaliers, we have assembled once more by permission of an All-wise and Omnipotent Providence, for the purpose of carrying on our good work, and it seems therefore appropriate that we should, through our chaplain, invoke the sanction of that Being without whose aid all human efforts availeth nothing.
PRAYER.--DELIVERED BY CHAPLAIN.

[Members rise to their feet.] "0, God ! thou Creator of all things, incline us to wisdom and virtue. Protect and guard us, 0 ! King of Kings, against hypocrisy and deceit. Solemnly impress us, Omnipotent God, that we are but men, and must give an honest account of every thought and deed unto thee. Prepare us to fulfil all the duties we have taken upon ourselves, and make us, as we profess to be, brothers indeed. Make us better men, wiser and more trustworthy, and deliver us from every temptation that may be east in our way to cause us to violate our solemn vows. Hear and protect us, 0,

Father ! as thy sons, working for the glory of thy name, end the common good of our fellow men. Make us true and faithful in all our duties to each other, and when danger threatens us, do thou be our shield and our defenceand as Christ suffered death for us, so incline us to die for one another. And now, Master, be with us in this our meetingconduct us safely through life, and finally bring us home to thy kingdom, full donor and glory, for Christ's sake. Amen." [Members resume their seats.] CAPTAIN.Secretary, call the roll. [The Secretary after calling the roll proceeds to read the minutes of the previous meeting. If no objection is offered to the minutes they are adopted.] CAPTAIN.- Inspector, Guide, and Treasurer, repair to the anteroom and examine duly the candidates in waiting. Sergeant, retain your post of duty by the door, and admit none without the password: repeat the words of the Guide so that we may all hear them. Lieutenant, post a sentinel at the outside door to protect us from eavesdroppers. To your duties
MARCH !

ANTE-ROOM WORK. [Inspector, followed by Guide and TreasurerGuide with musket at "shoulder-arms"--march into ante-room, when the Guide facing the candidates orders them to stand up in a line. He then proceeds to number them, always commencing where the numberslftoah ing.Hvthusmberd the Guide halts near the door, "orders arms,'" and passes in the first seven answers given by the candidates.] INSPECTOR.Gentlemen, you are about being associated with a powerful Military organization, and as it is not our wish to deceive any one, I am here to give you an idea of what the K. G. C. is, and to offer you such assurances of our good intention as ought, we think, to satisfy any honest Southern man. We are in earnest: and while this is a most intensely selfish Order, it is at the same time well calculated to serve the best interest of our Sunny Southbesides, it tics us together by the common hope of gain. If you should not like us after you have re-

ceived the first degree of our Order you are at perfect liberty to resign and in so resigning you give up all incurred obligations, save that of honorable secrecy. We shall not interfere with either your politics or religion. But to guard ourselves against imposters and bad characters I shall ask you a series of questions which will enable us to know whether to proceed with you or not. You will each place your right hand upon this Bible. "Do each of you solemnly swear before God and in the presence "of these witnesses that you will truly and faithfully answer all "reasonable questions that may be asked you ?" [Each candidate is here required to kiss the Bible.] 1. No. ------, what is your name ? 2. Where were you born ? 3. What is y our height ? 4. What is your age? 5. What is the color of your hair 6. What is your trade or profession ? 7. Have you any knowledge of Military service ? S. Have you come here with an honest intention to serve your fellow citizens of the South and to be benefitted in your own fortune and fame; or have you come to us through mere idle curiosity, to learn our objects and plans that you may report them to the public"? [So ask each. If any answer "through curiosity," request them to retire.] 9. If any attempt should be made to wrest from you your Constitutional rights would you defend them ? 10. You know that there is a bitter sectional strife in this countryif it should ever result in war would you espouse the cause of the North or the South ? 11. Are you willing to help in spreading the K. G. C., pro vided you find it a lawful Order, looking to the protection and extension of the institutions of the South 12. Do you believe that negro slavery is right? 13. Will you defend the institution on any and all occasions from the assaults of abolitionists Your examination is satisfactory. Your fee for this degree is ONE DOLLAR, which you will now pay to our Treasurer; after which you will lie voted for, and if elected, you will then be duly initiated. [All having paid their fees the Guide will proceed.]

GUIDE.--Sergeant, you will ask the Captain to order a vote on the candidates whose names have been recorded. [This closes the Ante-room work. The candidates wait, however, 'til conducted in.]
CAPTAIN. (Inside of Castle) Cavaliers, are you willing to duly initiated as a member of the first degree of have Mr. our Order ? If so give the sign of assent. If not, give the sign of dissent.

[Three dissenting votes based upon personal knowledge of the ineligibility of any of the candidates is sufficient for rejection. If there are no dissenting votes the Captain will proceed.]
CAPT.

Sergeant open the door and admit the candidates. CASTLE WORK OF INITIATION.

[Captain in his seat at end of room; the Lieutenant at the opposite end of room; Secretary on the right of CaptainTreasurer on the left; Inspector on the right side of the Castle, opposite the centreGuide on the left; the Sergeant seated by the door. The Captain orders the candidates to stand up in a line, facing him, in the centre of the Castle. All officers will rise to their feet when delivering their charges. Each will strive to make the same as impressive as possible. The Captain will preserve the most rigid order during the ceremony, and will order any member under arrest who shall interrupt the same.]
CAPT.

Treasurer, have these gentlemen paid their fees ? They have, sir. Secretary, have you recorded their answers ?

TREASURER. CAPT.

SECRETARY. I have, Sir.

Gentlemen, have I your pledge of honor that you will keep secret from all persons, save those whom you shall know to be members of this Order, what you may learn here this night
CAPT.

[Candidates answ er.]

CAPT.

There are three

degrees in

this Order, all accessible to

our faithful and zealous brothers. The one you are about to receive is the Military Degree. You will find everything pertaining to it to be of a military cast. By the Constitution of this State, the right to bear arms, express and openly defend your opinions, is guaranteed to all citizens. You may therefore ask why it is that we cover up our work under the mask of secrecy. Listen and I will tell you. In democratic countries there are always divisions among the people, founded on selfish interests. Politicians endeavor to turn every new enterprise into clap-trap for their own promotion. The most reckless and vicious of the people are made the tools for such men, and as honest, respectable people will not associate with the low and degraded, enterprises in which they are admitted always fail for want of moral power and the stamina or purpose which is to be found alone in sober and moral people. It requires great executive skill to manage such an organization, even when composed of good and true men; but it is almost impossible to keep military, financial, or political machinery moving in harmony, even when only a few vicious men are admitted. One object of our secrecy, then, is to select our men from time respectable walks of life. Another is to prevent the public from forcing us into political attitudes; another is to be enabled to measure actual strength, and to use the benefits that may accrue from our labors for the benefit of our own members. In the management of great political or moral movements, policy often compels the withholding of much from the public. You see examples in the secret sessions of State Legislatures, in church trials, in corporation directories, in political caucuses, in the family and elsewhere. You will find we have no secrets the exposure of which can call a blush to an honest man's face. When the Almighty gave Moses the law, he took him up in a high mountain and covered him from the world by thick clouds. Yet I am free to admit that secret organizations, of whatever nature, may be used for bad purposes by bad men, and for this reason we want none but good ones. We have already offered you the key of safety, viz: to withdraw from us if you do not like us, at any moment, without any way compromising yourselves. Will you offer, as a question of thought, that Christian men ought not to go to war ? Then I answer that every progressive step of our race has beer marked by the bloody footprints of revolution. It is man's only available chance to rise over the oppressions of the past.

Rome and Greece built up the civilization of Southern Europe through their numerous wars with the African and Asiatic nations. Western and Northern Europe were civilized through the instrumentality of the Crusades. This Continent was subdued to enlightenment and Christianity through seas of Indian blood. It must be borne in mind that the most war-like nation of antiquity were God's chosen peoplethe Jewsand that the Great Jehovah ordered the destruction of whole peoples, so that the enlightened Jews might go in and possess their lands. While the sufferings of a campaign , are heart-rending, they pass away with the generation which witnessed them; but their blessings continue to flow on forever, The Anglo-Saxon race has never found its equal in all the walks of intelligence and virtue; it has never displaced a race equal to itself, and in all human probability never will. It may seize a continent, but it will make of that continent a blooming nationality, full of all the noblest elements of human nature. It gives peace and protection to every one, and plants a religion of which every true Christian may approve. There never was a republic teat maintained its integrity longer than it maintained its slave institutions and a conquest policy.-Where every avenue is open to merit, there is a constant struggle for eminence and excellence, and as a consequence very much misrepresentation is sure to gain currency. Hence, there must be a conservative element on which the whole public sentiment may centre. This i3 found in slave institutions. So, too, as every member of a republic will constantly look to hi, own individual interest, there must be adopted some policy which opens a road to the enhancement of private fortune. This is found in the idea of conquest. Of all countries, republics are least able to bear a state of peace. This is so because the clashing of local interests tends to alienate the people from each other, and bring them into domestic feuds, while a common danger, or hope of gain, unites them. With a clearly expressed foreign policy, we should not have had the Kansas or Mormon difficulties, the John Brown raids, the Lynn riotsleading to a severence of the bonds of confederation which have tied the States of North America together for nearly au hundred years. Guide, will you call attention to some of the facts which 'render it necessary to urge on our government the adoption of a foreign policy ?

.nn

7
GUIDE.It it useless to attempt here all the facts which demand a foreign policy. I beg to cite only a few of them. We demand that the person and property of every citizen shall be held sacred as long as such citizen shall obey the laws of the country in which he may happen to reside. It is the first duty of a government to protect its citizens, and if it fails to do so then it is the duty of the citizens to adopt measures to protect themselves. The United States government, while it existed, was one of the most powerful on earth, yet the records clearly show that her people werpotcdnh.Asaevic,whbutopin to the fact that American sailors and citizens could be found in almost every foreign port with British passports, simply because no protection was to be obtained at the hands of their own government. Her merchants and travelers were in all countries subjected to the most unlawful and unreasonable exactions, her women violated and her citizens plundered and murdered with impunity. Especially was this the case in Mexico as is established most clearly by President Buchanan in his annual Message to the U. S. Congress, delivered in 1859, and though it does not state half the truth it is nevertheless horrible enough to mantle every American's cheek with a blush of shame. lie says :"outrages of the worst description are committed both upon persons and property. There is scarcely any form of injury which has not been suffered by our citizens in Mexico during the last few years. Peaceful American residents occupying rightful possessions have been suddenly expelled from the country in defiance of treaties, and by the mere force of arbitrary power. Vessels of the United States have been seized without law, and a Consular officer who protested against such seizure has been fined and imprisoned." And yet, in the face of such outrages, repeated over and over, the United States Government, with a population of nearly twenty-four millions had not the courage to stand up and shield her honor as a nation ! Were there no other reasons might not we of the South thank God that the Union is at an end, and endeavor with the lights before us to mark out a career which for power, industry and virtue shall stand unrivalled in the history of nations. The K. G. C. would be an humble instrument to secure our citizens protectionno matter where they live.
SERGEANT. But what is the use of talk. Let us act; let us enunciate a policy that will make us free and independent

things. It is too late in the age of civilization to argue questions on metaphysical grounds. We must looks facts in the facewe must take steps to render the American name glorious everywhere. This can only be done by spreading the evidences of our military prowess.
SEC.

How is that to be done ?

By adopting the policy of Rome and the Ancient Nationalities which Rome conquered. As Rome conquered countries, so she civilized and enlightened them. She made the conquered people better and happier than they had been. She also elevated and employed, in various pursuits, her own people. So, too, England, one of Rome's colonies, through her conquest policy, has built up a civilization of which every good man may well feel proud. She cut loose from Rome, and then sent forth her hardy sons to win new Empire. She found it in America, in Asia, in Africa, and in the Islands of the Sea. Whether right or wrong, in an abstract sense, it is certain that humanity is bettered. H er colonies in America revolted and wore successful in establishing a Republican form of government: but the different, of opinion concerning the institution or negro slavery lies within less than a century brought about a second revolution----dividing the people upon purely sectional interests. The interests of the North are centred in commerce and manufacturewhile those of the South are centred in agriculture. Each has its own interests to protect, With our agricultural products cotton, sugar, rice, and tobacco we have also slave labor: and while the North depends largely upon these products for her prosperity her people are fanatically opposed to the labor which can alone produce them. This fanatical and deep-seated prejudice in the minds of the people of the North has brought about the result long anticipated by our organization, and it now behooves us to use our utmost energies in making the South powerful out of the Union, since it was impossible to maintain our rights and honor i it.
CAP. n

That can be done by adopting the policy suggested, by which our arms and institutions may be spread Southward. The idea of expansion is as deep rooted in the minds of the people of the North as in the South. Cuba, Mexico, end Central America eve much coveted by the North in order that free-soil States may be erected South of us. With her Homestead
INSPECTOR.

Bills, Emigrant Aid and Wide-Awake societies, she well knows that she can people rich Mexico and Cuba and fruitful Central America before our people could be able to settle up their business. Manufacturing communities always enjoy emigration advantages over agricultural communities. No greater calamity could befall the South than the planting of free-soil colonies in Northern Mexico, as that would be the first step toward hemming us in and thereby cutting off the only outlet for our peculiar institutions. To build up a great and powerful empire, such as the world has never witnessed, it is only necessary for us to acquire lands which will yield coffee, dye-woods, gold and silver, tea and small grains. These lands are within our reach, and the K. G. C. would be the vanguard in their acquisition. We ask none but Southern men to assist us. If you are willing to be one of us you must now take our obligation. In so doing you reserve to yourself the right to resign at any moment. If now you feel willing to belong to such an organization as the K. G. C., holding such sentiments as have been enunciated, you will now take upon yourselves our vows of good faith. CAPT. Form yourselves in a line and face the Lieutenant, who has a word for you. LIEUTENANT. Gentlemen, before giving you this obligation, I must tell you that it is our wish to build up an Order which shall be not only remarkable for its power but for its intelligence and virtue. Be true to us, our cause, and your interests and our success is certain. You will each place your hands upon this Bible: OBLIGATION. I Administered by Lieutenant.] 1. You do each solemnly swear before God, and in the presence of these witnesses, that you will hear true allegiance to the Knights of the Golden Circle as a body, and to the Superior Officers of the same; and that you will defend them by word and act against all their enemies on land or at sea. If they are assailed by the press, the politicians, the ministry or citizens you will defnthmroispenat. 2. You do swear to keep secret from all persons, except Knights of the Golden Circle, the signs, password, grip, token, &c., of this degree, and that you will never reveal to any one who is not a member of this degree any circumstance or thing that may transpire within the Castle while you are connected with it. You do swear to oppose the admission of hibitual

drunkards, professional gamblers, abolitionists or free soilers, unnaturalized foreigners, negroes, rowdies, or persons guilty of any heinous offence, to membership. 3. You do swear to obey the laws of the State in which you live, the established laws of the Order, your officers in the discharge of their lawful duties, and to execute to the best of your abilities every lawful commission entrusted to you. 4. You do sweear by your Knighthood to protect and defend all widows and orphans and to exert yourselves in their behalf when you can. That you will do no act of which a true Southern man should be ashamed, that you will deal justly by every member of this Order, and if at any time it is in your power to assist a brother Knight you will do so. 5. You will not slander a brother, or in any way do aught to injure him in his business or in his effects: and you most solemnly swear upon. your honor as a man, and by your faith in Jesus Christ, that you will not be instrumental in creating discord or schisms in this Order, but that you will try to make each member personal friends, and that when you have cause of complaint if you cannot get satisfaction by fair and legitimate means you will resign from the Order, and still keep secret the real plans and all other matters appertaining to the K. G. C. which may have been entrusted to you. 6. You promise to do all you can as an honorable man to use your influence in extending the Order, and in acquiring the means necessary to put the Army of the K. G. C. in the field; and you do vow to report to your Commanding Officers every important item of information likely to seriously affect the K. G. C. organization.
Do you each take the foregoing obligations ?

[Here each candidate is required to kiss the Bible.] You will each resume your places and face the Captain as before. GUIDE. Cavaliers, it is now my duty to inform you more particularly as to the objects and aims of the Knights of the Golden Circle. You have already been convinced, I hope, that it is a Southern movement, and when I tell you that as soon as practicable we shall go forth to plant our country's institutions and civilization on other soil you will readily imagine that our first movement will be toward "6." But in going to "6" we shall not go as filibusters, to rob, pillage and devastate. We shall go forth as a Christian and enlightened people, having the good of our fellow

11 creatures at heart; and while seeking honors and riches for ourselves we are not unwilling to share the same with those who have the disposition and will to believe in our creed. Our creed is based upon what we conceive to be Christian and humanitarian principles. We believe in the Divinity and justice of slavery that it was established by Jehovah himself, and is fraught with all the elements of social, moral and political good to the negro and conducive to the best interests of our common country. Believing this, we are willing and determined to defend our rights at any and all hazards, and should war with all its horrors come upon us we shall not flinch one step from the stand we have taken. We seek therefore to be the propagandists of this our cherished institution wherever it may be made useful and beneficial to mankind. Our foreign policy embraces the acquisition, by gradual means, of the whole of "6", of "2" of "3," and the con trol of "4"thereby laying the foundation of a great agricultural and mineral Empire ! Of course our plan of operation will depend entirely upon circumstances, as well as our time of movement; but we are confident that the day is not far distant when our flag will float beyond the "5." Much money is yet to be provided; but our financial system, which is developed in the second degree, will, we think, enable us to secure the amount necessary to move. We wish you to clearly understand that this is a lawful movement and we mean to be well prepared before we start, as we do not intend to risk even a chance of failure.
TREASURER If we succeed we shall be enriched, for the land , teems with wealth. Yet the mere love of gain is not all. If the country is Americanized there will be thousands of places to be filled by the members of this Order. There are cities to be built, roads to be made, valleys to be cultivated, mines to be worked, papers to be printed, manufactories to be established, and many other avenues to be opened to the sober and industrious K. G. C. But do not think that these things can be accomplished without a struggle. There are battles to be fought, victories to be won, scenes of suffering to be witnessed, before we can build up a permanent and enlightened government in "6." If now you like our work you can be enrolled either as one of the Army of the K. G. C. or of the Home Guard. You can be a K. G. C. without going to "G." We require friends at home, and wish none to go into the Army who do not prefer the wild, glorious, and thrilling adventures of a soldier's career. You are now free to choose, but

12

can always resign from that choice. You have given us one dollar, which is held by me subject to the orders of the Captain, so you cannot be imposed upon to any considerable extent. Now by your zeal prove your worthiness for the Second degree, and you can get it, Every place and fact is within the reach of the meritorious. INSPECTOR. I will now give you the name, signs, grip, password, token, &c., of the First Degree of the K. G. C. This Degree has a name indicative of its characterthe "1." The first great sign is made thus: "7." The answer to this is: "8 " This sign and answer are only to be employed in cases of extreme personal danger while in a foreign land. They may be used on the battle field, or in an open country where von wish to make yourself known to another at a great distance. They will be recognized as far as the human body can be distinguished. The common sign of recognition used on ordinary occasions is "9." The answer is "10." To gain admission into a working Castle, or place of meeting for the members of this Degree, you will give "11" at the inner door.-The Sergeant on duty will then raise the wicket, or open the door, and demand the password. You will then ask him "Are you working in the first or second Degree ?" If he answers, "in the first," you will then give him the password. It is "12." This password is not given in full, except at the Castle door. In testing whether a person is a member, you will always require him to letter the word with you, i. e., alternate the letters in the word "12" with you. On receiving the password at the Castle door the Sergeant will admit you. You will then advance to the centre of the Castle and salute the Captain or presiding officer with the true sign of the K. G. C. It is "13." This sign embodies a silent oath"I am true to this Order, and before God 1 avow it." It will be recognized by a nod or bow from the Captain, when you will take your seat. The sign of assent used in voting inside of the Castle, is "14." The sign of dissent is "15." These signs are used in a different manner outside of the Castle to express approval or disapproval. If you should see a member of the Order about to commit an act of which you disapproved, it is your duty to give him the sign of disapproval. The sign is "16." If, on the contrary, you wished,to signify to him confidentially your approval of what he was doing, you would give him the sign of approval. It is "17." The grip is "18." The emblem or token is "19." Every member is requested to wear the token of his Degree. CAPT. Cavaliers, you are now bone fide Knights of the Golden.

13

Circle of the first Degree, entitled to all its benefits, all its honors, and all its charities. We earnestly trust that you will strive to keep peace and harmony in the Order, and to advance each other's welfare. Do this, and in less than two years the States of the South will rank first among the most powerful nations of the earth. We shall eventually succeed, even if no one of the present membership lives to see the day. The seed has been sown, and events have ripened and are ripening to our wish. Remember the fate of the whites of San Domingo, and strengthen yourselves while you can. Put off action and we are lost ! With a fervent prayer for the prosperity and continuance of the -institutions of the South, we ask that God may bless each of you, and keep you strong in your faith.