The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-08
ALLEGED SECRET MILITARY Association
OF FREE-SOILERs IN KANSAS.

Curious Developments 6y Pat. LaUgLIg-
Ltles Of Pistols, Rifles, and !Sa6res, Rcaiy
for USe
From the 81 Louis Republican, (Pro-Savery) Oct ~
Some days since, we published a-despatch
from St. Joseph, stating the discovery of the
existence OF Secret Military Organization i'm
Kansas, designed to control the affairs of that
Territory, and to resist the execution of ANY
law passed by the Territorial Legislature. Last
night, we received a paper from st. Joseph.
which contains the promised disclosures. and
we make room for the most important portions.
The disclosures are made by Pat. Laughlin, a
citizen OF Kansas, whose character is vouched
Tor by well-known citizens Of the Territory. He
was member of the Association, and acted
with them but, becoming satisfied Of the trea.
sonabe nature of the organization, Withdrew
from it, and has felt himself called upon TO tell
all he knows about it.
We have no room for the full details Of this
wonderful revelation. Mr.. Pat. Laughlia il,
according to his own story an Irishman He
Joined this secret society, and was its travelling
agent, for the formation of new lodges or clubs
and took solemn oath of secrecy and fidelity
The evidence of the existence and character of
the secret organization, therefore, depends on
no better testimony than that of perjured
knave, who has betrayed his comrades He
says:
"But | must come to the point, and make
known the object of this Society, and the man
ner in which it is organized. Its object is to
make Kansas free State, BY force of arms, if
they fail to carry their point by legal means.
To effect this, they have organized Society,
or secret army, who are provided with Sharps
rifles, free Of charge, Il saw many of these
miles and other equipments in Lawrence,) Ly
an organization IN Boston, Mass, got up for
the purpose of aiding the Abolitionists in Kan.
sas to make it free State. From this organ
ization, have been informed, the Executive
Committee at Lawrence have received 100000
to defray the expenses of State organiza-
tion-a movement which is now on foot by the
Free Soil Abolition party
ain the Executive Committee, Of which |
became member, from being introduced by
Ex-Governor Reeder, there was resolution Of
fered, which provided that every reliable State
man in the Territory should be furnished with
rifle, brace of pistols, and sabre, and re-
CURED TO take an oath TO hold himself IN Ieqd-
mess TO march into SerCice, under his superior
officer, toben called upon, and that he tcoud go
to The rescue Of tie person or property ~ any
- 'Co-cOtHT WItO UOUtu Oc OFOUWtt W i"fyS ~
obedience TO the present LdUS Of tie IeTritOIy'
While we entirely disapprove Of parties
bound together by secret oaths and obligations,
we should be glad to believe that the people OF
Kansas are as well prepared to defend them
selves against the Missouri border ruitians as
this fellow would have us believe; but, untortu-
natey, in this instance, "a liar is not to be be-
leved, even when he speaks the truth There
is no reason why the Free State party should
resort to secrecy because they have openly
avowed their determination to resist the eXecu'