Druggist-Ware Glass Blowers’ League of the U.S.A.
Ritual
Initiation
1881
Candidates being announce, the P. will direct the B.C. to receive and
introduce the candidates.
B.C.: W.P., I desire to introduce and recommend for initiation
these shopmates, Mr. ….
W.P.: You will go to the chair of the V.P. for examination.
B.C.: V.P., I desire to introduce Mr. …, who the W.P. has
directed you to examine and further instruct, if satisfactory.
V.P. to Candidate in League Room:
1. What is your name
2. Where is your residence?
3. Do you believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, and in the Bible as
His revealed will?
4. Do you promise upon your honor as a man, whether you become a member of
this League or not, you will never reveal anything you may see or hear; any word
spoken; or the name of any individual you may see here; and that you will true
answers make to all questions put to you at this time?
5. Have you served a regular apprenticeship at glassblowing?
6. Do you believe organization necessary among workingmen as a means to
secure them their just rights?
7. Are you willing, should your own individual pecuniary interest come in
conflict with the interest of the League, to yield to the general good?
8. Are you willing to yield obedience to the laws passed, although you may be
in the minority, provided such laws be not morally wrong?
9. It is one of the fundamental laws of this League, that all of our business
shall be kept absolutely secret, even to the names of the names of the officers.
Are you willing to take an obligation to this effect?
Vice-President’s Charge
Dear Sir, Doubtless you have foreseen from the interrogatories put to you at
this time, something of the nature of the obligation you will be called upon to
take before becoming a member. "Let me tell you it is no child’s
play!" but a part of a solemn obligation of honor as a shopmate and as a
man. At the same time you will not be called upon to do anything that is morally
wrong. If you really see the necessity if organization, you must admit the
necessity of thus firmly binding men together. You will return to the chair of
the W.P., who will obligate and instruct you.
V.Con.: W.P., I take pleasure in returning to your chair with Mr.
…, who the V.P. after examination finds worthy to become a member of our
League, and request you to obligate and instruct him.
W.P. shall stand and with … raps of the gavel will raise the League and
proceed to obligate candidate.
Obligation
I, …, in the presence of the members of the League now present, do solemnly
promise, declare and say, on my sacred word of honor, as a man, that I will obey
all laws passed by the Grand or Subordinate League that they may adopt for their
government and the general good of the trade; and that I will never expose
outside the meetings anything said or done here, such as words spoken in debate,
measures proposed, &c.
I also promise upon my sacred honor to render obedience to the regularly
elected officers and committees, when in the discharge of their duties.
I also promise that I will obey all laws passed by the meetings of this
League.
I also promise on my sacred honor that I will not work for a less rate of
wages than that established by the G.L. or to work when ordered to quit by the
authority of the Grand or Subordinate League.
President’s Charge
Dear Brother, having taken upon yourself our Obligation, it now becomes my
duty to instruct you in the signs, passwords, &c., and the way to work in
and out of this League.
When you come to the outer door make one rap, and give the password to the
Outer Sentinel, come to the inner door and give one rap and the password. You
will then enter the room and salute the P. thus, …. Should you wish to retire
before the close of the L., you must salute the P. thus, …. Who returns the
salute thus …. The officers are designated by their regalias, which I will now
explain to you.
I have thus entrusted you with valuable secrets; remember, if you violate
your obligation of secrecy, and reveal any of them, you are a perjured man.
You have now become a member of the D.W.G.B.L., and allow me to say, that
there is no more honorable position that you could assume among men than that
you have assumed by becoming one of us.
Our laws are based upon the principle of JUSTICE TO ALL. We claim no favors
of any person, other than what is our right; demanding what is right for
ourselves we should always have a proper regard for the rights of others; as a
means to this end let us always be careful to cultivate a spirit of charity,
remembering that all men are more or less dependent upon their fellow men. The
young and strong of to-day will soon become old and helpless, and themselves
need the strong hand and hopeful spirit of youth to cheer and comfort them in
their declining years.
Without organization, working men cannot be far above slaves. Standing alone,
the capitalists does really in fact own labor, for he can, in a short time,
starve the workingmen into any measures , however oppressive, that he, the
capitalist, may desire. Starvation will more effectually reduce to subjection
the laboring men of this country than the lash of the overseer did the slaves.
Through this organization you can compel your employers to respect your rights,
you can say for yourself what shall be your compensation for your labor, and
being a power, you will be enabled to command a respectable place in society.
Being a power, your employers themselves, will respect you. A man under complete
subjection to another, may be, and often is, an object of pity, but never of
respect. Remember, "that he who would be free, himself must first strike
the blow."
Brothers, welcome our new Brother to our L., in the usual way.