The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-03-27
Kuights of the Golden Circle.

ny tHc OcttOit 4TtOuUc fIOssS thS 0r1Y-
inal in the hands of the government at
Washington, proving the existence in
this State, beyond all further dispute,
of the secret order known as the
Knights of the Golden Circle, or of an
order having for its object the same
reasonable purposes. The author of
the letter. has been proved to be the
famous Dr." Hopkins who was ar.
rested in Lapeer county some weeks
ago, and sent to Fort Lafayette by or
der Of the Secretary of State. OF its
genuineness there is no question. sf
The Tribune states that the letter
was furnished to the authorities at
Washington by one of the present
editors and ,proprietors of the Detroit
Free Press. But having subsequently
learned the character and extent of the
movement to which it refers, and be-
coming satisfied that it could be made
a powerful agent in promoting the
party schemes Of the Democratic lead
ers, and in giving aid aud comfort to
the South, he has given it such indi-
rect encouragement as he safely could.
This letter may help to explain the
conduct of some Of the citizens of this
county, at, the breaking out of the re
bellion. 1t may account for their ex-
ultation when the =" fire in the rear"
doctrine was first announced. 1t may
throw light on the great JOY manifested
at the downfall of Sumter, and the de-
feat of Bull Run, and it may satisfac-
torily explain why leading democrat
of Cassapolis threatened young man
who was about to enlist in a company
of volunteers, that if he did he would
foreclose mortgagetha had against
him, and promised to wait upon him for
years in case he would not enlist.
While we do not think they have as yet
established an order in this county, we
believe there is one in full blast in
Berrien county; and that the promi-
nent Democrats of this county are CO.
operating with them, there can be no
doubt. AT all events the subject is one
that is deserving the watchful care of
the loyal men of Michigan, and it is the
duty of every loyal man to lend his aid
in ferretting out and exposing all the
traitorous gang. The letter is as fol-
lows = af...--r --....-....t..-..
(The explanations of the initials in brackets are
furnished us by the officers who have Investigated
the matter, and are believedto be in the main
GNosrI BsAScH, Lapeer Co.. Mich.) Oct. S, 1861,
or. M. z. Esq: 7Sif 10
"DEAK AND HoNeRED SIR IL write
to inform YOU that the C---s Com
missionersl the signatures of the
S-of S., &C., attached with a
number of Skeleton Pts, Pernitsl
will be found at the house of r.
L., w. G. w. Windsor, Canada
Vest, by the 9th inst. zoo Ell 80
"The work, Dear Sir, goes bravely
on. / have received replies from over
sixty different localities, and forwarded
them to their proper destination and,
| am happy to say, thus far without a
breath Of suspicion or any accident.
Our .fellow-citizens are better prepared
for. the grand movement than even the
most sanguine of our leaders had dared
to hope. The LEAGUE is extending
its rami6cations in every direction, and
gaining new and valuable adherents
daily. I feel greatly strengthened in
the belief, that ache,a the hour comes to
erect our glorious Standard, AN OVER.
wHELMING FORCE WILL SPRING UP AT
THE FIRST TRUMPET CALL. Many. who
are outwardly rabid in the Tyrant's
favor, are with US, heart and soul. ]
cannot in common with Cs st, re.
frain from expressing my astonishment,
not to say delight, at the unparalleled
success and secrecy which has thus far
attended the efforts of the Brotherhood.
God cannot help blessing cause whose
object is the restoration of the great
nation to peace aud unity, by the over.
throw of the blacklist and most dam.
nablei despotism that ever usurped the
liberties OF the free people. fy4 a8o
!" tits not difficnlt itoaconvince an
honest intelligent man that THE ONLY
WAY LEFT to restore the honor, ana
rescue the constitution from beneath the
feet Of the Iyga,ats, aolsere 1t is no,o ly.
/ ing, is TO INSURE, BY CONCERTED AC.
TIoN THROUGHOUT THE ~ North |,
THE SUCCESS OF THE s. South,
UNTIL tired and Disguised, THE CON.
SENTATIVE ELEMENT is STRONG ENOUGH
To RAISE AND UNITE, IF NECESSARY,
WITH THE Al Army] of the ST.
South ovERTURN THE M North
LIKE HURRICANE, SWEEPING THE
IA ADMINISTRATOR INTO ETERNI-
TY, or at least drioing them into COM
plete and unconditional submission.
This IS the only acay in schich oar li6-
critics and our country can be saved.
Such aresult would again unite the
N--[North], and S---[South] in
new bonds of amity, and interest, re-
store .the Union in all its former
strength and beauty, and the constitu-
fio,, al - n 4. ..,L:.l. "a