The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-08-08
Developments Before
the Unitcd States Grand Jury.
A SECRET SOCIETY OF TRAITORS
IN INDIANA

The Grand Jurors OF the United States
of Americs, within and tor the District OF
Ind lana, empanneled. sworn aud charged in
said district al said May term thereof, hav
ing about completed their labors land being
now ready To adlourn) feel it their impera-
tive duty TO announce III respectful man
ner 10 this honorable court the general fea
lures OF some startling developments made
duriag their Investigations. These devel.
opmenis sero made during their in
vesu cations, when considered IN con-
uectlon with the disturbed coalition of
the country BY reason of The causeless and
atroeious rebellion against the Constitution
and laws OF the land. are deemed of the
grasest Importance and should be made
known, that prompt and efficient measures
may be taken by the civil aud military au
thorities 10 meet and ward off the effect of
the wicked and reasonable designs of those
connected with such developments.
A recent act Of Congress made ii the DUTY
of the Grand Jury to inquire into any COM
binations or conspiracies formed by individ-
uals withia the jurisdiction of the court 70
prevent the execution of any law of the
United States. Having heard that organi-
cations with this object in view. existed in
certain localities, witnesses were sent for,
an! brought before the Grand Jury. These
Witnesses came from many counties, and
lived in various parts Of the State. After
a careful and diIigent examination OF the
testimony from witnesses well acquainted
with the facts deposed. and hacing per
sonal kRololedge Of the matters, said Grand
Jury are constrained to say that a secret aud
oath bound organization exists, numbering
some fftecn Nousaai in Indiana. as esti-
mated by the members of their order. CON-
monty known as knights Of the Golden
Circle. and even in the same localities by
different names. Their lodges, or Castles"
as they denominate them, are located in
various parts OF the State. yet they have
common signs. grips, and words whereby
the members are able to distinguish each
other, and passwords 10 enable the member
to enter the castle in which he was initiated,
or any other which such member may
choose to visit. They have signals by
which they can communicate with each
other in the day, or the night time. aud
above all they have a signal Or sign which
may be recognized at great distance from
the person giving it. The last signal, we
regret 10 say, was invented for the use Of
such members as should, by means Of the
draft or otherwise, be compelled to serve IN
tie ranks Of the army Iu such case. mem
bers of the order serving in opposing armies
receiving the sign are reminded Of their
obligation not to anjure the member giOing 1t.
This signal is given in every instance upon
the initiation of a new member, and Its OBJ
servance is strictly enjoined upon every in
diviiual belonging 10 the order. By the
teachings of the organization it is the duty
of its members engaged in the present war.
although airayed on opposite sides, upon
the signal being given. if they shoot at all.
ito shoot oper each other" Many mem
bers of the order examined before us admit
tie binding force Of the obligation, and
pretend to Justify at as correct ia Princi
pie.
Said Grand Jury would respectfully sub
NIT that the effect Of such obligation is 10
set aside the oath taken by every soldier
when he enters the service of the United
States. The obligation imposed by the
ganization alluded to is inconsistent with the
duties Of soldier who in battle dare not
spare the person Of his enemy. We must
eithef disarm or destroy him, aud especially
SO long as the Rebel may be seeking to take
the life of the loyal soldier. To do other
wise would be grossly treacherous, and
justly subject 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
their origin in some OF the Southern States,
and was introduced into this State from
kentucky. Its primary object, when it
originated was to organize the friends Of
the institution of African slavery in the
United States, for the purpose of acquiring
more territory in Mexico and the Central
American States. and also the acquisition
Of Cuba. thereby 10 extend and 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 proclama,ions Of our former Presidents.
denouncing such attempts and threatening
the exercise Of the power Of the Govern
nent to put them down. Wicked these
Relish schemes were, said Grand Jury
would not have troubled this Honorable
Court with this presentment had the machi-
nations of the knights OF the Golden Circle
been confined solely to their original de-
signs. Finding how useful such an organi-
cation was for the purposes originally in
tended, sail Grand Jury believe that It not
only extends at present through every part
of the South, and every 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
our midst with entirely new features at
tached to i. in view of the unnatural conflict
now desolating our country. Not only are
the foyaf soldiers IN tie army to be reacd
eronsfy betrayed in the bloody hour of bat
L q
said Grand Jury have abundan. evidence
OF the membership binding themselves to
resist the payment of the Federal tar and
preUsHt enissfnehts in the armies of the
United States.
1t is a fact worthy of note. and conclu-
sively shown, that in localities where this
organization extensively prevails there has
been failure to furnish a fair proportion Of
volunteers. Said Grani Jury. after a
thorough examination On that point. have
been unable 10 ffad any Instance zchcye a
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