Machinists and Blacksmiths Union
Initiation Ritual
Opening Ceremonies
1876
As soon as the time for opening the meeting has arrived, (if there is a
quorum present,) the President shall take the chair, and give one rap with his
gavel, upon which the officers and members shall take their respective seats,
after which a general silence shall be observed,
PRESIDENT: Brother Craftsmen, I am about to open this Union of
Fraternally United Machinists and Blacksmiths for the purpose of taking into
consideration such measures as will tend to perpetuate our glorious Union;
spread its principles and advance our individual as well as collective
interests. You will, therefore, please come to order, and give your attention.
PRESIDENT: Conductor, what duty should we at all times perform
before declaring this Union open for the transaction of business?
CONDUCTOR: To securely guard the outer and inner door, and allow
none to remain within these hallowed precincts but worthy members of the
organization.
PRESIDENT: Station sentinels at the outer and inner door. You will
examine the members present, and should there be any found wanting the spotless
garments of honest worthiness have them conveyed from the room forthwith.
The Conductor herewith proceeds to take up the password, after which the
Conductor, when through, will salute the President with the countersign, and
respond as follows:
CONDUCTOR: Mr. President, all present are worthy members of the
order; the outer and inner doors are securely guarded, and we are safe from
intrusion from the outer world.
PRESIDENT: Officers and Brothers: By virtue of my office, I have
charge over this Union. I am bound by my obligation as a member and as an
officer, to see that the laws and regulations of this Union are strictly and
impartially enforced. I am also bound to preserve order and decorum, and to see
that the business for which we have assembled is finished ere we adjourn. It is
your duty to remain in this hall until that business is thoroughly completed; to
take an active interest in those things which directly concern yourselves and
are of such weighty moment to us all. Your duties as officers and members of
this Union should be ever present in your minds; the obligations which you have
taken upon yourselves, in presence of your fellow man, should always be kept
fresh in your memory. I trust that on this occasion you will so comport
yourselves that the painful duty of recalling to your minds those duties or that
obligation will be spared me. You will now please rise while we open this Union.
Three raps with the gavel.
VICE PRESIDENT: By the authority of our worthy President, I now
declare this Union duly and regularly opened for the transaction of such
business as may come before it.
The President gives one rap with his gavel, and the Union becomes seated,
after which the President calls the order of business as per Constitution,
Initiatory Ceremony
A quorum is not necessary for the initiation of candidates.
When the President asks if there are any candidates for initiation, the
Conductor shall retire to the ante-room and ascertain; if there are, he will
take the name, age, tradeshop where employed, and residence of each candidate he
finds in waiting, and report them to the President. If they have been duly
elected, he will again retire, accompanied by the Financial Secretary, and
address them, separately, as follows:
Have you ever been a member of a Machinists and Blacksmiths' Union?
Are you of sound bodily health?
Have you any temporary or permanent disease that may at any time cause you to
be a burden on this organization?
If answered in the affirmative, the matter will be referred to the Union for
action; if in the negative, he will introduce the Financial Secretary, who will
collect the balance of the initiation fee, after which the Conductor will direct
the candidate (s) to stand with uncovered head(s), and address them as follows:
My friend(s), by a vote of our Union it has been decreed that you shall be
admitted to membership in our benevolent and charitable order. In consideration
of the eminent worthiness of the Brother who proposed you, we have concluded to
share with you the privileges of our brotherhood; and we sincerely trust you
will never abuse the confidence we are about to repose in you and the honor we
are soon to confer upon you. We trust you are (a man) (men) of honor, honest
principle and integrity; and that you seek admission into our order through no
unworthy or selfish motives. On the contrary, we trust that your intentions are
pure and good, and that they spring from a sincere desire to better your own
condition, socially, morally and intellectually, as well as that of your fellow
men. Before admitting you to full membership, we shall exact of you a most
solemn and binding obligation. We have all taken the same, and are subject to
its binding influence by the eternal principles of justice, and by every holy
inspiration of spotless manhood. This obligation will not, in any manner,
conflict with your social or religious duties; but it will bind you by every
hope you have of an eternal hereafter, to perform your duties as (a) member (s)
strictly, fearlessly and without equivocation, and to so comport and conduct
yourself (selves), at all times, that no act of yours will ever bring disgrace
or shame to the order into which you are about to enter.
If you feel that you cannot keep inviolable the obligation we are about to
impose upon you for your benefit, protection and elevation, you had better
retire, for it were better you were never born than stamp your soul with the
foul, infamous seal of perjury. Will you proceed or will you retire?
The Conductor will then conduct the candidate(s) to the inner door, upon
which he will give three distinct knocks. As soon as the knocks are heard upon
the door the Inner Doorkeeper will respond by making two distinct knocks, and
then exclaiming: Who comes there?
CONDUCTOR: (A) candidate(s) who has (have) signified a willingness
to comply with the rules and laws of our organization, and who is (are) desirous
of receiving the privileges and benefits conferred by our institution.
INNER DOORKEKPER: Has he (have they) complied with all the
requirements necessary in his (their) case, and is (are) he (they) eligible
under our laws?
CONDUCTOR: He has (they have.) He is (they are.)
INNER DOORKEEPER: Most worthy President, without is a (are)
craftsman (men), properly vouched for and eligible, seeking admission to our
brotherhood.
PRESIDENT: Permit him (them) to enter.
The candidate(s) is (are) now conducted to the centre of the room, facing the
President, who will then give three raps with his gavel, upon which all the
members will rise to their feet.
PRESIDENT, in an audible voice: Self-preservation is the first law
of nature.
VICE PRESIDENT: They who would be free, themselves must strike the
blow.
BY ALL, THE MEMBERS: In Union there is strength.
The President will then give one rap with his gavel, and the Union becomes
seated. The Conductor will then place the candidate(s) before the President, who
will address him (them) as follows: You are now about to take a
solemn and binding obligation, the strict observance of which will entitle you
to all the rights and privileges of a member of this organization, and which, if
fully complied with in good faith, will not only tend to elevate your own
condition in society, but also to ameliorate that of your fellow mechanics, who
labor under similar disadvantages with yourself (selves).
Ours is a Mutual Benefit Society in the fullest sense; by joint effort we
strengthen each other and advance our cause. We combine to relieve, to counsel
and protect each other. Like the strands of the cable, individually weak, while
separated we are easily broken or turned aside in our purpose, but when combined
in one common bond of brotherhood, each supports and strengthens his neighbor,
and exerts a tenfold power, not to be obtained by individual and divided effort.
The objects which claim the particular attention of our association are
these: A more general diffusion of the principles of the mechanic arts on which
our trades are based; the elevation of the Standard of intelligence among our
brethren, thereby insuring them a greater proficiency in every branch of our
profession; to aid each other in obtaining employment; to afford protection to
each and all of our brethren, against the encroachments of unprincipled
employers, who may seek to deprive us of our rights and privileges as men and
citizens of a free community; and to secure as far as possible, a fair
remunerative compensation for labor performed.
You are expected in your intercourse with the world, and especially with the
members of our organization, to set a manly and consistent example, to give your
attention to these objects as set before you, and earnestly exert every
influence that shall raise the dignity of our callings, and that shall reduce
the hours of labor to the limit most conducive to health, and afford opportunity
for mental improvement.
You are strictly enjoined to discountenance that worst bane of the mechanic,
and curse of its participants, intemperance. We regard it as a prolific source
from which springs many of the evils which the working man has to endure.
Therefore, cease not to oppose to it every kind influence that love to your
fellow-man may suggest.
Now, that you have heard what we require of you, are you still willing to
take the obligation?
If answered in the affirmative, the President will direct the Conductor to
present the candidate(s), to the Vice President for obligation; if in the
negative, the candidate will be allowed to retire.
Place a small 8tand or table in or near the centre of the room, upon which a
copy or copies of the Constitution shall be placed. The candidate(s) will place
his (or their) left hand(s) upon the Constitution while taking the obligation.
The President will then strike three raps with his gavel, the members will rise
to their feet. The Vice President will then administer the obligation.
VICE PRESIDENT TO THE CANDIDATE(S): You will raise your right
hand, place your left on the Constitution, and repeat alter me the following
obligation: Say I, and pronounce your name in full—
Obligation
I, …, hereby solemnly pledge my honor as a man, that I will never reveal
any business or proceedings of any meeting of this Union; that I will faithfully
and fraternally aid and protect the interests of all worthy brothers of this
organization; that I will apprise them of approaching danger, whether from their
own imprudence or the evil designs of others, so far as lies in my power; and
that I will, on proper and suitable occasions, extend to them and their families
by brotherly attention and care, neither wronging them myself nor permitting
others to wrong them if in my power to prevent the same. Should any brother
apply to me for assistance in obtaining employment, I will use all honorable
means to secure it for him; and furthermore, that I will abide by the
Constitution of the National and Subordinate Unions, and By-Laws and decisions
of this Union, from time to time made in conformity therewith; and that I will
instruct in the art and mystery of my trade, Union men, persons eligible to
membership in the Union, regularly apprenticed Machinists and Blacksmiths, and
no others. And I furthermore pledge my honor as a man that I will promptly pay
all dues, fines, and assessments that may at any time be levied upon me by
National, or any Subordinate Union under the jurisdiction of the National Union,
of which I may be a member; that should my connection with this Union cease from
any cause whatever I shall still preserve inviolate my plighted faith.
At the close of the obligation, the President strikes one rap and the Union
becomes seated. The Conductor will then conduct the candidate(s) to the
Recording Secretary's desk, where he (they) will sign the Constitution, after
which he will conduct him (them) to the front of the President’s chair, who
will deliver the following final charge, carefully noting that the candidate(s)
is (are) fully instructed in the signs before concluding the ceremony.
PRESIDENT: You are now (a) member(s) of Machinists and Blacksmiths
Union, No. … of …. As (a) member(s) of this Union I would remind you that
you have given us your pledge of honor that you will keep the business and
proceedings of this Union inviolate. A strict adherence to your obligation, and
a regular attendance at the meetings is earnestly required of you. We now urge
you to use your best endeavors to advance the objects of the Union by all
honorable and proper means.
We have a pass-word and explanation, (which are changed semi-annually,) by
which we gain admittance to the meeting room, which are in no case to be given
except to gain admittance to this room, or the meeting room of any other Union
working under a charter granted by the National Union, or to prove yoursel(f)ves
to the proper officer when in the room. This word (or explanation) is not to be
given to another member without authority from the presiding officer, who alone
is authorized to communicate it or cause it to be communicated to the members.
We also have a sign of recognition by which we are able to recognize each
other when out of the Union. This can be given in the shop or street. It is made
thus. Put back of index finger of right hand on right eye brow. Should a member
notice you making the sign he will acknowledge thus. Put back of index finger of
left hand on left eye brow, or should you see a person make the sign, you will
return the countersign or acknowledgment.
To obtain admittance to this room, you will give ore rap upon the outer door.
The Doorkeeper will present himself, when you will give him the pass-word, which
the Conductor will now give you upon receiving which he will admit you pass
word given in a whisper. You will then advance to the inner door and
give two distinct raps, upon which the inside Doorkeeper will present himself,
when you will give him the explanation to the pass-word, now
also given by the Conductor. If not in the Union to which you belong,
you will give your name, and the number and locality of the Union of which you
are a member to the Doorkeeper; after he has reported you to the President he
will again present himself, when you will, if correct, be admitted. Should you
at any time be without the pass-word, report yourself to the Outside Doorkeeper
of your own Union, give him your name, and state to him that you have not got
the pass-word; he will first report you to the President, by whose orders you
will be admitted. You will enter the room, displaying the sign of recognition,
proceed to the center, still with the sign in view, and salute the President and
Vice President thus …. They will acknowledge the salutation thus …. Should
you wish to retire from the room previous to the adjournment, you will present
yourself in the center of the room to the President and Vice President and
salute them in the same manner as you did upon entering, and they will return a
similar acknowledgment; alter which you will be at liberty to retire.
We also have a test-word, which is changed semi-annually; it is now given you
by the Conductor, (always in a low tone of voice). Should you at any time wish
to satisfy yourself that a stranger is in good standing, you will, after using
the signs, advance and pronounce the last syllable of the word; the answer is by
giving the first syllable. This word is in no case to be pronounced in full.
I herewith present you with a copy of our Constitution; I hope you will
peruse it well. The Union will now take a short recess, that the members may
congratulate each other upon the addition of our newly elected co-laborers.