Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-02-07
me Dark lantern Mystery 70 be Invsstigate

annual message to the Legislature, recon-
mended rs a fit subject for its attention an ex-
animation into the existence Of secret political
societies, which have for their purposes "the
subversion of the well established and deeply
cherished principles of our government
Mr.. Kennedy, an American member from
Baltimore, was appointed Chairman Of the
Committee, (the Legislature being also largely
of the same complexion 10 investigate the
matter, aud he addressed n letter TO the Gov
ernor inquiring il he could give any informa-
ton concerning the existence Of secret pOliti-
cal societies having such objects in view as
intimated in the message. His Excellency
Immediately replied, thanking the Legislature
for its prompt action and then goes on to say
al am eredibly informed bya large number
OF Citizens that there exists now within this
State numerous societies of a secret character,
whose object and purpose is TO prevent the
election or appointment to Office of any person
belonging to the Roman Catholic Church,
or who is not a native horn citizen of the
United States; that in such secret associations
councils or lodges, oaths, pledges and obliga-
lions are administered to effect this object"
He futher suggested that the committee pro-
cure copies of the following:
"The Constitution of the National Council
Of the United States of North America" and
the accompanying Constitution for the Gov
eminent of Subordinate Councils;' The Con-
s~t;tution Of the North Carolina State Council
adopted January 18th, 1867 an Address
adopted in the State Council Of Massachn-
sets, June 18th. 1855; resolves Of the State
Council of South Carolina, adopted at a meet
ing held at Charleston. August 18th, 1855,
.npiao of xyhiah mo raUraf / hava NOT
at hand to Law before YOU. / have no doubt
however, the committee will be able, if they
desire it, to procure them. ] would further
respectfully suggest that you summon before
YOU the delegates from this State TO the con-
vention said to have been held at the city oil
Cincinnati about the close of the year 1855
and also the delegates from this State to the
National Council held in the city of Phila.
delphia in the month of June last. This last
body, whose proceedings are said to have
been conducted in secret. issued what pur-
ports to be a I platform Of principles to which
/ would respectfully refer you. | do 81. he
cause in the eighth section of said publication
the policy of the Roman Catholic Church in
our country is denounced as aggressive and al
organized political resistance to those OF the
Catholic faith plainly indicated and encour-
aged; thus introducing religious issues into
tie field of political agitation The l4th
section of this platform declares that all the
principles of the order shall be henceforh eve
ny where openly avowed and that each mem
Der shall be at liberty to make known the ex'
istence of the order, and the fact that he him
self is a member, and IL recommends that Tier,
be no ooncealmsent Of the places Of meeting o.
subordinate councils"
Gov. Ligon has now given TIE Dark Ian
tern Committee a chance to make a clear
breast of it,; but we don't imagine they vii
do any such thing. They would make more
Roadway if their labors were to Investigate
nunneries and peep into the bedrooms anC
under the beds of the sisters. What has be
come of Joseph Hiss-and Mrs. Patterson
Pittsburgh Post.