Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-20
Wx. DArrsS, E,q, &C., &c.
A south eFR IGOnspIraeys--Jayhs In
ArkansAss.-SOnle OF them in Memphis

..
We have been permitted to read letter from q
number of respectable and worthy citizens resi-.
ding at Rock Bayou, in Arkansas, which declares
that they were appointed a committee to investi-
gate the Of individuals Sho had been aTrest.
ed, charged with being connected with atreasOnabe
organization styled Peace Society. In the exami-
nation of the men brought before them. two cItl .
Gems of this place, J. G. Thompson and Pleasant F.
Thompson, who had left with cattle for this city,
we're proven to be members of this society John
O. Thompson is about five feet ten inches high dark
complexion and black hair, and weighs about one
hundred and foFtyAfVe or one hundred and Fifty
pounds. p F. Thompson is about ~ yearsof age 5fet
eight inches high, weighs about l35 or I40 pounds
black hair and whiskers. They are brothers, and
smuggled their cattle of and started three days be-
fore the set time for leaving account Of the de-
Felopment made on the peace organization. Every
person who has been taken up and who has made
confession, has stated that this society considers
the North their friend and the South their enemy
and they intended to operate with the North as
soon - an opportunity presented itself. The lead
ing men OF the society say it was gotten up in
Washington City, and sent to Fremont in Missouri
and Fl o n tlence to Arkansas.
They have signs by which they know each OF her
when in cOmpaDy-signs to know IL those who are
present belong u the society. They have sligo
to be placed az every mans door, Who belongs 70
the society This ii was TO be placed at the door
wheR they act out 10 destroy the Southern people
and by it they were to know that the inmates and
property WAS to be passed on unmolested. Il was
10 be 4 sign by which Northern army, should
our country be inVaded,) would know the friends
Of Abe Lincoln.
All who have been brought before this commit
tee. and before committees IN counties
men who have strenously advocated the doctrines
Of the North, and would speak in terms juStifying
Abe LineOln'S coerciys policy. The folio wing il 4
copy of their bylaws and oaIhs
We, the undersigned Subscribers, agree to term
OrI- int an In h. Had nd
known by the name and style Of the mill Greek
Peace Organization Society" Self-preservaii0n
being an undisputed, and natural righs-And the
right Of communities 70 combine together for the
mutual protection Of themselves, their families
and their property, being well estAblshed-thiS
being the sole purpose for which We mest-and for
this purpose alone, do adopt the following rsss
lutiCns, BY which we expect 10 be governed in all
our proceedings:
ResolDcd lat. That zach member before enter
ing into this society, shall take oath, follows
II, -, do solemnly swear, bsfors Almighty
God and these Witnesses that | will well AID truly
keep all the secrets of this society; that will
hail and always conceal and never reveal ything
will at the shortest notice go the assistance OF
any brother az the peril Of my life, 80 help me
God"
"'2d. As it is matter of life or death with US,
any member of this society who shall betray TO
enemies the existence Of this society shall forfeit
mis- life. And it shall be the duty OF each member
of this society, having received knowledge Of any
Iuch betrayal to forWith inform the brethren, each
Of whose duty 1t shall be to pursue such traitor and
take his life st the peril of their own.
"'Ths manner Of admitting members ahall be in
strict accordance with the foregoing preamble and
resolutions, and BY such members as may be ss-
lected by the society,"
Many members of this association have been ar
resled, but the main props have escaped to MssOu
RI The whole thing is regarded grand fzEle.