Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-03-27

objects ofthe order, which are thus stated:
First, To secure to Kansas the blessing and
prosperity Of being a free State; and secondly
to protect the ballot-bOx from the LEPEous
TouoH or USPRINCIPLED MEN.
These and all other questions being salts
~factOrily answered, the final oath is thus adj
ministered:
With these explanations upon our part. we
shall ask of you that you take with us an obli-
CATION, placing yourself in the Same attitude as
before.
OBLIGATION.
-, in the most solemn manner,
here. IN the presence of Heaven and these wit.
nesses, bind myself that i will never reveal nor
cause to be revealed, either by word, look, or
sign, by writing. printing, engraving, painting,
or in any manner whatsoever, anything per-
tanning to this Institution, save TO persons duly
qualified to receive the same. L Will never re-
veal the nature of the organization. the place of
meeting, the fact that any person is a member
Of the same, or even the existence of the organi-
cation. except to persons legally qualified to re-
ceive the same. Should l at amy time with
draw. or be suspended or expelled from this
organization, l will keep this obligation to the
end of life. Ii any books. papers, or moneys
belonging to this organization be entrusted to
my care or keeping, 1 will faithfully and com
pletely deliver up the same to my successor in
Office, or any one legally authorized to receive
them. will never knowingly propose a per-
son for membership in this order who is not i'm
favor of making Kansas a Free STATE, and whom
/ feel satisfied will exert his entire influence to
bring about this result. l will support, main
tain, and abide by any honorable movement
made by the organization to secure this great
end, which Will not conflict with the laws of
the country and the constitution of the United
States. l will unfinciingly vote for and sup
port the candidates nominated by this organi-
cation in preference to any and ali others.
To all Of this obligation do most solennly
promise and affirm, binding myself under the
penalty of being expelled from this organization
and having my name published to the several
territorial e~ncampments as a periurer before
Heaven and a traitor TO my country, of passing
through life scorned and reviled BY man,
frowned on by devils. .orsaken by angels, and
abandoned BY God.
The "closing ceremony" is as follows:
fCoionei Fellow soldiers: | trust this re-
view has been both pleasan. aud profitable 10
us all. We met as friends; let as part rs broth
ers, remembering that vs. seek no wrong TO any;
and our bond of union in battling for the right
must tend to make us better men, better neigh
bOrs, and better citizens. We thank you for
your kindness and attention. and invite YOU all
to be present at our next review, TO be holden
at. on-next. at--o'clOck p. NJ. Senti-
nels, you will open the doors, that our soldiers
may retire pleasantly and in order.
Your committee nave deemed it important
to give this outline Of the constitution and
ritual Of the grand encsmpment and regi-
ments OF the Kansas LEGION as constituting
the secret organization, political and military,
in obedience to which the public demonstra-
tons have been made to subvert the author
ity Of the Territorial government established
by Congress, by setting up a State govern
ment, either with or without the assent of
Congress, as circumstances should determine.
The endorsement of this military organiza-
ton, and the recommendation by the Big
Springs convention for "the procurement and
preparation of arms" accompanied with the
distinct declaration that 1--WE will resist them
the laws enacted by the Kansas legislature
to n bloody issue, as soon az we ascertain that
peacahle remedies shall fail, and forcib,e
resistance shall furnish any reasonable pros
pect Of success" would seem TO admit Of no
other Interpretation than that, in the event
that the courts of Justice shall sustain the
validity of those laws, and Congress shall re-
fuse to admit Kansas as q State with the con-
stitution to be formed at Topeka, they will
set mp an independent government in def
ance of the federal authority.
THE ELECTION OF REEDER AS TERRITORIAL
DELEGATE.
The same purpose is clearly indicated by
the other proceedings Of this convention, in
which it is declared that 1--WE with scorn re-
pudiate the electiOq law, so called" and they
nominate Gov. Reeder for Congress, to be
voted for on different day from that author
lied by law, at an election to be held by
judges and clerks not appointed in pursuance
of any legal authority, and not to be sworn
by any person authorized by law to admins
ter oaths; and the returns to be made and
result proclaimed, and certificates granted, in
a mode and by persons not permitted to per-
form these acts by any law, in or oct OF the
Territory.
In accepting the nomination, Gov. Reeder
addressed the convention as follows; and
among others things, said:
"In giving him this nomination in this man.
ner, they had strengthened his arms to do their
work, and, in return, he would now pledge TO
them a steady, unfiinching, periinacify Of pur
pose, never firing industry, logged perseyer
ance, and, in all the abilities with which God
had endowed him. TO the righting of their
wrongs, and the final triumph of their cause.
He believed, from the circumstances which had
for the last eight months surrounded him. and
which at the same time placed in his possession
ulahf iofANg u vi uliht HCdll diu obutf "
the oppressed voters of Kansas, that he could do
much towards obtaining a redress of then
grievances.
He said that, day by day. a crisis was coming
upon us that' in after times, this would be tC
p%osterity a turning point, a marked period, a.
are TO US the opening of the Revolution, the
adoption of the Declaration Of independence
and the era Of the alien and sedition laws thai
We should take each carefully, so that each b.
a step of progress, and so that no violence b.
done to the tie which binds the American PEG
pie together. lie alluded to the unprecedented
tyranny under which We are and have been
and said that, if any one supposed that institu
tons wei. to be imposed by force upon a FREE
aud enlightened people, they never knew, O.
had forgotten, the history of our fathers. Amer
lean citizens bear in their breasts too much O
the spirit Of other and trying days, and hav,
lived too long amid the blessings OF liberty t
submit to oppression from any quarter an
3 the man who, having once been free, eoul'
tamely submit to tyranny, was tit to be a slave
: lie urged the Free-State men of Kansas L
forget all minor issues, and pursue determin
> eddy the one great object. never swerving, bu
3 .fa1Illv nraactun on "a AiI The x-soa man nh