Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-05-01

treachcrous designs which he reveals
Neither the word nor the oath of an,
member or number of members of tn
X. G.. C.. will suffice to refute this cvi
dcncc of the reasonable character O
the conspiracy in which they are en-
gagged: ......
DEAR SIR Your note has been re
ceived asking for such information al
| may have of the objects and work
ing of the secret conclave of traitors
in The Northern States, known as the
| *. G CO Knights of the Colder
Circle " / have devoted considerable
time and attention to this organiza
tion, and my opportunities have beer
very rare for gaining information
And here let me say it is the sworr
duty of every X. G. c. who is true tc
his obligation, to deny the existence
of the organization, not generally by
positive dcnials, but by heaping ridi.
cule on the idea of such an organiza.
tion, which implies that all Northern
men are not loyal. There is, however,
ample and positive proof that the
Order of X. G.. c. is thoroughly organ
lied in every Northern State, as auxili.
ary to the Southern rebellion. 1t as
sumcs various shapes and colors, yet
all working under the same system of
operations, and all aiming at the same
end. The designation OF the "k. c..
c." having become unpopular on ac-
count Of the known reasonable de.
signs of that Order, it is protean in its
character, and sails under different
cognomens to best effect its purpose
sometimes being the peace Party"
the "Union Party" the Constitu-
tional Party the democratic Socie-
ty," "Club" or Association" the
Mutual Protection )" and, since the
Indiana leak" as they call it, about
the N. P's." they have chosen S.
p" or Self Protection" as a name.
And since you ask for facts only, !
may say it is properly secret political
treason party, as its members iaitiatea
are all most strictly limited to the
known members of one political party
The IMMEDIATE OBJECT is the overthrow
OF the Government established by our
patriot sires, baptized in their life
blood, and handed down to us, to be
forever defended and protected, as the
best form of government ever given
to man. Tie ultimate object, the spoils
Of Office and the control of the Govern
mcnt, by the party which sustains tue
efforts of these knights" Of treason
The great majority Of the most active
leaders are those who have heretofore
had cmolumcnts Of place in the Govern
ment, and wish TO be restored to pow
er. For this purpose they are willing
to tear down the old fabric and erect
new one upon its ruins. They have
some definite plans of operation, form
ing q strong net work of treason
around the Union, well calculated to
draw in many true men, to be used
by them unawares in carrying ont
their plots. l will refer briefly TO
few of the means they use
|. They WISH To PRoLoNG TIE WAR,
hoping that something may turn up
to get their Southern rebel friends out
Of their position, without being made
to acknowledge the supremacy of the
Constitution and the Union. They
hope and work for foreign war, to
make that pretext for stopping the
domestic strife, and uniting against a
common foe. They are for prolong-
ing the war also, for the purpose Of
firing the patience of the country,
while they can make public senti-
ment ready to compromise with
armed rebelion-to do anything hon
orable or dishonorable to stop the war
To do this they appeal ID the pockets
of the people with exaggerated pic
lures of enormous tdTeS, and virtually
say, that because it costs monty to
maintain the Union, we ought to sur
render at discretion to the demands
of those who-havc taken up arms III
rebellion against it.
2. THEY WORK By TREACHERy.-lIav-
ing first opposed the Government in
asserting any authority TO enforce the
laws and maintain the Union and the
could To encourage the outbreak by
rendering Northern sympathy and sup
port in advance, they are now seek
ing to assist their friends in the South
ern army, by getting themselves into
positions To- betray the Union cause
for their benefit. In the month of
August last. Immediately after the
disaster of Bull Run, they marked out
new programme, and sent messcn-
gers through all the loyal States to
give their friends-thc n. G.. C., the
CUE for putting their new plan into
extensive operation. The trcachery
of their men at the head of a column
of the Federal army, who turned the
tide of battle against us at Bull Run,
worked SO well, that they determined
at once, during the reorganization of
our army, to fill it with their own men
for similar future operations.
"Cast!es were forthwith organized
i'm all the States. Those who had
been vomiting treason among their
loyal neighbors, to the full extent
that public sentiment would tolerate,
| now very suddenly and myaerioasiq be-
came seemingly loyal and patriotic,
and are anxious for places to draw
their swords in defence Of the Union.
and measure them with its rebelious
foes. They wanted to be decorated
with epaulets. They would serve as
Captains, and from that up to Colo
nels of regiments, Brigadier and Ma,
jor Generals. They wound net
work of influence around Congress
and the powers that be-" to maintain
men in the Departments, and to get
others in, especially in the War De-
partment, who were shining lights in
the "Caslles of the X. q. c., for the
avowed and express purpose of aiding
the enemy by treacherously watching,
and conveying the secrets of the Gov
ernment to the rebel army. Men were
selected in the States, aud sent hun,
dreds of miles to Washington, with
strong influences to back them, for
this purpose. Better to carry out