Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-05-31
ST. LOUIS, Thursday, May 10, 1855


Believing D. r. Atchison, dangerous
man, The Lumiadry steadily opposed his re-
election to the United States Senate, and
supported Col. Benton.
The consequences were, he let loose his
hirellng presses upon that paper, but they
got battle to their hearts content and retired
from the field About this time
the self-defensive association was formed at
Weston, but the masses put it down. ID.
II. Atchison, B. F. Stringlelow, J. Il. V.
Thompson, and others then organized a Sc
cret association. am informed its mem
bers are sworn to secrccy--io turn out and
fight When called on from headquarters-to
contribute money to carry out the objects Of |
the association-to share equally the damage
that may accrue from the overt acts of any OF
its members end 10 carry these points even
at the price OF disunion. They are bound
never to divulge the names of members
Thus their clan can act in concert every
where at once, and lead the uHintiated to
suppose ,hut it is the spontaneous uprising
of the whole people, when they number on
ly corporal's guard. When man is pro-
scribed they act in concert to destroy his bu-
siness and character; and the poor man is
ruined without knowing the cause All Nor
thern men are prescribed and ruined in their
business and character or driven out of the
country who do not subscribe to their most
ultra doctrines. n this manner Whole COM
muGites are overuwed. One man said to
me in Parkvillc, times are worse here now
ethan they were in France in the days of
"Rob spierrr;" others said that this was the
FIRST I ime they were afraid to avow their
business would be destroyed or he be order
ed out of the country. In this way citizens
are paralyzed ard subGued. They call upon
other counties and st. Louis to cooperate
and carry on the work. puous--they
uso any means to accomplish their purposes.
Thus this secret engine OF hell is at work
undermining the foundations Of all social or
der, of confidence and public honor.
Emissaries have been sent through the
South to organize these associations One
Harvey was sent into Texas last winter, in
dorsed and recommended by tweRty-three
members of the Missouri Legislature From
what could learn his mission proved Il fail
ure. | heard of but nine members in the
State. Hewas anxious to return to Jeffer-
son City when last heard from, McGce, Of
Jackson County, was travelling in Arkansas
on the same mission. Lycurgus Shepherd
of Platte County said to me few days since
"that the whole South was orgOnlzed; that
"they had GeCreed the destruction of every
"Benton press in tho State and portion of
"the Wing presses; that they could command
any amount OF men at moments warning
"und millions of money; that $500 600 were
subscribed in Missouri; that the destruction
''of the hotel at kaEsas and presses at Law
"rence had been Gecrced; that thew had tu-
"ken cannon along to demolish them from
"dstancs, so as not to be blown up by the
"Gegs of powder said to be under the builG-
cling; they would not stop until every Free
"Sniler and Aboltionist was driven out of
"Missouri and Kansas; they were prepared
"for disunon or anything" He was then
just out OF secret meeting. These secret
meetings are generally held once week or
at tho call of their leaders. There is no
doubt but some good men are induced TO join
this association and get involved in its mesh.
es before they understand its objects. So by
some overt act or by bloodshed and murder,
they hope gradually to get the North and
South to take sides and bring on civil war
and disunion. The nomination OF d. X
Atchisor for tie Pre-, dency is ominous.--
Public meetings are called at all the promi-
nent points, where B. +. Stringlelow, J.
II. V. Thompson or other speakers are gem
orally present to make exciting speeches and
lash into fury the passions Of the multitude.
l,n pa,t L.. a,
Army at Fort Leayenworth, left his post and
came owe: into Platte County, and in pub
lie speech urged the citizens to extreme mea-
surcs. Bible in hand, che secuted the idea
otusing honorable means in this war" IL.
Rich, suttler at Fort LeOvenworth, was ready
to mob the man if he did not sanction en-
treme measures. He that is not for us is
against us, is their motto; there can be no
middle ground; md they are now busy dra-
goonng the whole community into duty -
Envy, prejudice aud interest seemed mixed
up and foremos, in everything. The spirit
of honor so highly lauded in the days of chv-
airy is discarded by these leaders; selfshness
u desire to enjoy and appropriate the labor OF
| Others without an equivalent, ialsehood and
detraction, blindness OF intellect, and an in
furiated passion that thirsts for bloodshed,
and all the horrors of civil war, now govern
in that devoted region. May the Almighty
God make bare his arm to save our country
from ruin. The day fleGs Parkvile Capt.
Wallace was busy notifying citizens to leave.
] understand one lady who was teaching
school was ordered to close doors and be off.
Some wee going, some talked of defending
their homes; but they were threatened with
thousands of armed men which this secret
association could collect at the shortest no.
,ice.
Mr, Patterson tclegrOphed Gov Sterling