The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-08-12

are able to distinguish each other, and
passwords 20 enable the member TO enter
the castle in which he was initiated, or
any other which such member may
choose 20 visit. They have signals by
which they can communicate with each
other in HE day, or the night time, aud
above all, they have signal or sign
which may be recognized a. great dis
lance from the person giving IT, This
last signal, we regret 30 say, was invent
ed for the use Of such members as should,
by means of the draft OF otherwise, be
compelled to serve in the ranks of the
army. In such cases members of the
order serving In opposing armies receive
ing the sign are reminded Of their obli-
cation not to iniure the member giving it.
This signal is given in every instance
upon the initiation Of new member,
and its observance is strictly enjOined
upon every individual belonging TO the
order. BY tine teaching OF tine organiZa-
ton, il is the duty Of its members en-
gagged in the present war, although ar
rayed on opposite sides, upon the signal
being given, if they shoot at all, "to
shoot over each other" Many members
of the order, examined before u.s. admit
the binding force of the obligation, and
pretend to justify it as correct in prinoi-
pie.
Said grand jury would respectfully
submit that the effect of such obligation
is to set aside the oath taken by every
soldier when he enters the service Of the
United States. The obligation imposed
by the organization alluded to is incon-
sistent with the duties of a soldier who
in battle dare not spare the person of his
enemy. We must either disarm or de-
stroy him, and especially so long as the
rebel may be seeking to take the life of
the loyal soldier. To do otherwise would
be grossly treacherous, and Justly subject
the guilty party to a traitors doom.
From the evidence introduced before
said Grand Jury, il would seem that the
order called the knights of the Golden
Circle had its origin in some of the
Southern States, and was introduced into
this State from Kentucky. It's primary
object, when it originated, was to organize
the friends of the institution of African
slavery in the United States, for the pur-
pose of acquiring more territory in Mexi-
co and the Central American States, and
also the acquisition of Cuba, thereby TO
extend aud foster a great slave empire,
even though it should dye those countries
in human blood Hence the various raids
made upon those countries which have
called forth from time to time the procla-
nations of our former Presidents, de-
nouncing such attempts and threatening
the exercise of the power of the Gov
eminent TO put them down. Wicked as
these hellish schemes were, said Grand
j ury would not have troubled this Hon
orable Court with this presentment had
the Vaccinations of the knights of the
| Golden Circle been confined solely TO their
original designs. Finding how useful
such an organization was for the purposes
originally intended, said Grand Jury
believe that il not only extends at present
through every part of the South, and ev-
cry department of the rebel army but
! during the last winter and spring was
! introduced into the State of Indiana and
other Northern States. Since that time
it has made alarming progress in om
midst with entirely new features attached
to il in view the unnatural conflict no v
! desolating our country. Not only are
the loyal soldiers in the army TO be
treacherously betrayed in the bloody
hour of battle, by the signals before re-
ferred to, but said Grand Jury have
abundant evidence Of the membership
binding themselves TO resist the payment
of the Federal tax and prevent enlist
ments in the armies of the United States
1t is fact worthy Of note, and cOnclu-
siyely shown, that in localities where this
organization extensively prevails there
has been q failure TO furnish fair pro
! portion Of volunteers. Said Grand Jury
after a thorough examination ON that
point, have been unable 10 find any in
| stance where member of said organi-
cation had volunteered to fight for the
Union under the late requsition for vol
unteers. Said Grand Jury were inform
ed that an individual Of the Order had
proposed 10 make up company TO be-
called Jayhawkers," composed exclu-
siyely of Knights of Golden Circle
But said Grand Jury believed that at no
time was the proposition seriously enter
tanned, but in fact only intended as q
cover TO hide their reasonable purpose,
when they found they-werc about TO be
discovered.
The meetings Of the order referred 4,
are holden in by-places, sometimes ii
the woods, and at other times in desert
ed houses. It's members frequently at
tend with arms in their hUnds, and in al,
most every instance armed sentinals arr
posted TO keep Oft intruders, Youths
not more than sixteen years OF age are il
many cases introduced and initiated into
its mysteries. The credulous and I'M
wary are often allured into the fold o
the order, upon the preteXt that il wat
instituted for no other purpose than ihl
better organization Of their party III
real character and teachings are sedu
lously concealed until the oath of secrecy
has been in due form administered
Having taken the first degree, Che iniciat
is familiarized with the obligations an,
opinions Of his associates, and is gradu-
ally prepared for the second degree
When be is further taught aud found ap
TO learn, and ready 10 adopt its princi
pies and teachings, he 10 obligated in th
highest degree, and is turned out upoi
the country thorough traitor with Ia
wicked purposes already specified. Sal
Grand Jury arc happy 10 know that il
many cases individuals, after their lrs
introduction into the order seeing its evI
tendencies, have abandoned it, althoug
unwilling on account OF their obligation
Of secrecy, and for fear Of personal VIC
lcuce are reluctant 10 fully expose IL
treacherous principles.
Since said Grand Jury began said 10
veslgation il has been discovered tina
the order exists among the prisoners ,
war now in Camp Morton, who refuse
festifv un1n the ground that IL may im