The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-11-19
THE GREAT ooPPERHEAD CONsPIR-


The development since the election
of a great Copperhead conspiracy, the
object of which, it is claimed, was to
separate the Northwest from the Fed.
eral Union, has excited considerable
astonishment and indignation among
the loyal people. The extent of the
plot was not at first revealed. A short
timo since, it will be remembered, the
Democratic State School Commission
er, CATHcART, with several rebel Off
GERS, and disloyal persons, were arrest
ed and indicted forlevying war against
| the United States and giving aid and
comfort to the enemy, by conspiring to
release the rebel prisoners at Camp
Chase, seize the arsenal at Columbus
take possession Of the PeRitentiary,
releaae John Morgan and his officers,
and to capture the gunboat Michigan.
Since this another part of the plot, the
right wing Of the conspiracy, has been
developed. Lord Lyons communicated
to the Government information which
he had received Of the fitting out of an
expedition in Canada, the object Of
which was to burn the vessels and
cities on Lake Erie and to release the
rebel prisoners on Johnsons Islapd.-
A dispatch from Washington asserts
that ValIandigham was the ringlcader
Of the conspiracy, and gives the follow
ing programme ofintended operations
at is understood hcre from Canada,
that Vallandigham, James B. Clay, and
Marshal Kane, had fully arranged for
passing through the Weland Canal an
armed steamer, whose mission was:~-
Frst-To open the prison doors for the
rebels at Sandusky Bay. Second-To
arm and equip these veterans, over
1000 in number. Third-To seize as
many propellers on Lake Erie as are
needed, arm and man them. Fourth
TO make Buffalo heap of ashes, and
our vessels in port charred skeletons,
Fiith--To burn Cleveland. Sixth
To wipe out the commerce Of Lake
Erie Seventh-To consume Detroit
and ell'cctually destroy the commerce
and cities Of the Lakes from Ogdens-
burg to Chicago at blow"
Simultaneously with these develop
ments come theassuranccs from Illinois
that the Knights Of the Golden Circle Of
that State are in the conspiracy, and
the object Of the whole plot was the
overthrow of the State Governments
and the separation of the Northwest
from the Union. The X. G.. C.s OF
the West were to be poured into Ohioin
sufficient numbers to elect Vallandig-
ham by the home vote, and his election
was to be the signal for a general blow
by the conspirators. Nothing, it is
asserted, but the overwhelming dem
onstration Of the people in favor OF
Brough and the Union prevented the
revolution.
While some of the public journals
affect to treat these developments with
ridicule, the majority Of them look up
on the conspiracy as serious and dia
bolical plot, happily nipped in the bud
The State and Federal authoritic.
have had such information rs to in
duce apprehension and cause promp
action. SO much smoke is never seer
without considerable fire. And th,
arrest of CATHCART II Democratic pub
lie officer the fitting out Of an eXpedi
ton in Canada, doubtless under th,
direction of Vallandigham, and tn,
completely ofthc Knights fthe Colder
Circle, show what party is response
bic, and complete the damning rccorC
ofthe Nallandigham party Of the West
Those who voted with the Union par
ty and against Vallandigham at tn
late election, may well congratulat
I themselves and their children upol
u that vote. Each man who so vote,
did as much on that day to preserv
u peace and security at home, 10 main
1
! tain the Federal Government, and t.
y make the restoration of the Unio
possible, AS ten men fighting agains
the rebels in arms.