Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-08-15

that the elect oil Sucn ohhratlon u W s''
, aside the cath taken by every soldier when
he ente, tile service Of the United States
The obligation imposed by the organization
alluded to is Inconsistent with the duties Of
soldier. who, in battle, dare net spare the
. person of his enemy. We must either dis
arm or destroy him, and especially so long
f as the rebel may be seeking to take the lltt
of the loyal soldier. To do otherwise wouc
be grossly ireacherous, and Justly sublec,
the guilty party to traitors doom. From
the evidence introduced before said Grand
Jury.it 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 Ken
lucky. Its primary object, when it origina-
ted was to organize the friends OF the insti.
tution Of African Slavery in the United
States, for the purpose Of acquiring more
territory in Mexico and the Central Ameri-
can States, and also for the acquisition oil
Cuba, thereby TO extend and foster great
slave empire, even though it should dye
these countries in human blood. Hence the
various raids made upon those countries
which have called forth, from time to time,
the proclamations of our former Presidents,
denouncing such attempts, and threatening
the exercise of the power of the govern
ment TO put them down. Wicked as these
hellish schemes were, said Grand Jury
would not have troubled this honorable
Court with this presentment had the mach
nations 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 it not only
extends at present through every part of
the South, and every department of the re-
bel army, but during the last winter and
spring was introduced into the State of In
diana and other Northern States. Since
that time it has made alarming progress in
our midst, with entirely new features at
tached to it, in view of the unnatural con-
filct now desolating our country. Not only
are the loyal soldiers in the army to be
lreacherously betrayed in the bloody hour
OF bottle, BY the signals before referred 10.
but said Grand Jury have abundant evil
dence Of the membership binding them
selves to resist the payment of the federal
tax and prevent enlistments in the armies
of the United States. 1t is fact worthy Of
note, and conclusiyely shown, that in ocali-
ties where this organization extensively
prevails there has been failure to furnish
a fair proportion of voluntt ers. Said Grand
Jury, after thorough examination on that
point, have been unable to find any instance
where member of said organization had
volunteered to fght for the Union under the
late requisition for volunteers. Said Grand
Jury were informed that an individuel of
the Order had proposed 10 make up :, CON-
pany 10 be called /" Jayhawkefs,n composed
exclusively of g Knights of the Golden Cir
Gle" But said Grand Jury believe that at
no time was the proposition seriously enter
tanned, but in fact only intended as cover
to hide their reasonable purposes when they
found they We're about TO be discovered. The
meetings OF the Order referred to are hold
en In by-piaces, sometimes in the woods, and
at other times in deserted houses. Its men,
bers frequently attend with arms in their
hands, and in almost every instance armed |
are posted to keep off intruders.
ouihs not more than sixteen years of age I
ire IN many cases introduced and initiated |
INTO its mysteries. The credulous and un- /
sary are often allured into the fold of the
Jrder upon the pretex that it was institute
d Tor no other purpose :han The better or
OF their party. Its real charac-
er and teachings are seduously concealed
lntil the oath of secresy has been in due
orm administered. Having taken the first
degree, the initiate is familarized with the
obligations and opinions of his associates.
and is gradually prepared for the second de-
gree. When he is further taught and found /
apt to learn, and ready to adopt its princi-
pies and teachings, he is obligated in the
highest degree, and is turned out upon the
country thorough traitor, with the wicked
purposes already specified Said Grand
Jury are happy to know that in many cases
after their first introduction into
he Order, seeing its evil tendencies, have
oandoned il, although unwilling, on account
u their Obligations OF secresy, and for fear
II personal violence are reluctant. to fully
Expose its treacherous principles. Since
AID Grand Jury began said investigation, it
las been discovered that the Order exists
mong the prisoners OF war now in Camp
Norton. who refuse to testify upon the
round that it may implicate the members
t their Order in Indiana, aud thereby in
lre the cause of the Southern confederacy.
Cor the purpose of evading any legal liabiii-
Y, in case of judicial investigation, it APP
ears that their signs are to be used to en-
BILE them to get members of their Order on
be jury, in case of criminal charges being
referred against them, and by changes of
ame, and appeals from judge who does
lot belong TO the Order, to create indicial
elays, until they can find Judge or juror
belonging to this Order, and thus escape all
egal liability. Said Grand Jury have no {
loubt that the Order of the " Knights ofthe
Golden Circle" exists in many localities in
indiana where their vigilance has not been
ble 10 penetrate. They have labored un-
er many difficulties in their researches, and
ave drawn evidence in most of the cases
rom unwilling witnesses. Judicial oaths !
ave but little binding force where individ-
ais once consent to abandon the allegiance
hey owe their country. The general facts,
oweyer, so far as they have come to the /
nowledge OF the said Grand Jury, have
cen submitted TO this honorable Court.
hey feel it their duty to do SO. The safe
OF the country in this hour of peril and
wi strife demands il at their hands. The
over OF such an organization 10 do harm,
nc ono /