, 1862-06-13

It is well known that the military Or
ganlzation which the secession leaders
planned FOR establishing their coz
federacy and resisting the power Of the
Union, was that called the Order Of the
knights Of tic Golden Circle;" and the
prcte1t given out for the creation Of such
an institution, filed with political schemers
and military aspirants, was to invade and
conquer the northern provinces Of Mexico,
or if possible the whole Of that devoted
country. To project such an unparalleled
scheme Of crime and piracy on weak and
friendly State, the prctence was set up that
such an Intervention in Mexican affairs was |
absolutely necessary 10 restore that torn |
and distracted country to 4 state Of peace
and prosperity; and also that the institu-
lion Of slavery, on whose permanent and
growing existence, so much Of the true
welfare Of mankind depended, should not
be exposed 10 the encroaching influence,
and dangerous nearness Of State that
cherished free institutions, 50 nenrlts south
eru borders. In the ayowed schemes,
and well known proceedings and cxpccta-
lions Of the Knights Of the Golden Circle,
NC find all the ruling motives and pur~
poses Of the rebel leaders. Underlying the
whole, the primitive work which was ts
hold up all the glorious fruits and foliage
of this new creation, was slavery; while
martial glory, the high deeds Of knightly
yalor, the dazzling rewards Of military
rank, and the broad and rich provinces
that were to be brought beneath the rule
of the gallant captains, and ilustrious sol
t1iers, who had done signal feats Of arms in
this magnificent raid amid the deep valleys
and glittering mines Of Mexico, now relied
upon to captivate the imagination, and
fastcn to the scheme all that was ambi,
tious, ardent, and adventurous in the spiri
of Southern men.
There is an clement Of speculation, ant
Of gambling; Of running great risks ts
reach great fortunes; Of intense excite
ment in wild adventure and deadly danger
Of stalking all upon one throw, and stand
ing the hazard Of the die, that has resist
less and magic power over Some men
There is fascination in great crime, an
an overmastcring temptation in high an
splendid 7i1lainy, to those born and raise
in the midst Of slavery. To the prou
spirits bred up in lor1ly arrogance beneat
Tie shadow Of aristocratic society, nothin
can be tamer than the Christian life
going about doing good; and scarcely an
thing more rcpugnant, than STOPPING
bear the burdens Of the 1owly. OF to sha:
The tolls and cares Of the poor. The MI
from whom Rebellion fills its ranks are n
50 gospelled- Selfdenial, scEsacrifce, al
suffering for others, are the religious grac
and divine privilege Of the menial and t
slave; but for this chosen breed Of not
bloods heaven holds out the richer priz
OF high place and large power; it cndo
them with lofier gifts Of ambition, ra1
and breeding, it promises them to vii
the sword and The scep1er, and to cro7
them with homage and fame Waste a
barren Of all inducements to cxcrtion
enterprise, must the level fields Of no
lar government appear to such spi1
There is to this bad and reckless ambiti
no hope to be found Of superior place
lasting power, in the dismal plane Of I
ve1sa1 equality; and how void Of
chance to the born aristocrat to have
own lordly will and way, must that dre
land seem in which justice and humal
guard the rights and redress the wrong
the humblest. Such men, who claim t,
br birth better than their fellows:
demand for their blood more indulge
and luxury; vino believe that by ma
they are born to rule, and others-to
nit; and who will never for mon
give up their inbo1n and divine right
privilege, to bow the heads, and plant
feet On the nec2ss Of other men, must,
their very disposition and make, G
fling down and destroy a1l popular in{
hons, OF perish in the effort; or else,
ing the work 10 be hopeless here, so
TO other lands to work out the ger
fruits, the mlschiefs and wrongs tha
essential to their existence.
These noble rebels and ambitious trs
cannot destroy our free institutions.
must themselves begin to see and bi,
realize that hope to be baseless. MAJ
them will doubtless perish; but
number will probably escape, and
altogether probable that an attemp
be made by many Of them to or,
subdue, and acquire 8 part OF VII
Mexico for the establishing Of the
lowers and the carrying out Of their
tious schemes. To mel 50 DARN
adventurous as to deem it possible tt
throw Ahe immense power of the [
Rnd Who seemed TO he entirely cor