Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-16

The Grand Jury of the United States Court.
composed mostly Of Republican partisans. is en-
gagged in the investigation of the character and
objects of secret political organizations. said to
exist in this State. Such inquiries are proper and
Legitimate when no other motive is regarded in
the investigation but the interests OF the Govern
ment. and not for the purpose of advancing party
ends 60 crafty personal malevoence LII Sc
cret political societies inimical to form of
government and the spirit OF free Institutions
the Investigation Of the subject by Grand j ury
should be free from party prejudice and bias, and
all such organizations should be alike condemned.
But how Is il IN the present instance? Several
members of the present Jury were doubtless
members OF the celebrated Know Nothing order
Did they think it the province of a Grand Jury
entertaining opposite political sentiments and
party affiliations investigate the objects of that
organization? The foreman of the present Jury
we'll knows that there is a secret Republican po-
litcal society extending all the State. He
understands lis objects and has probably initiated
members. and no man would be more rampan,
in eondemnins a partisan investigation OF il,
.
that the object of the o. C's, or the 5. Ms. OF
the n n CO, are eminentIy patriotic. and do
the members OF every political order. but in al
most every case such organizations are perverted
from the original design IN lnstituting them. and
they become engines of oppression and evil IL is
common rumor that Governor MvRroy and other
Republican leaders are urging the organization OF
Republican secret clubs throughout the State,
and that he is furnishing them with arms. What
right has the Executive OF State. representing
the entire people, Ia thus prostitute his position
Are not such matters emnenIly worth, the in
ve-tigation of Grand Jury. which in its official
charscter should be beyond tue reach OF party
Influences OF partisan sympathies. especially at a
time like the present.! There is a secret Repub-
lican political order which meets il. hall on
Washington street in this CITY, and the fact is
probably known To some OF the members of the
Jury. u secret political societies are nmcsl T.
the Government. whv does not the Grand Jury
take cognizance of that one and the hundreds oil
similar organizations throughout the State, il IN
The discharge Of their official ,iuSt its members nrs
influenced solely by patriotic considerations and
are looking with eve single To the best inter
ests OF the country IL is queer commentary
upon the fairness of the investigations of the
present Grand Jury. or we might wits more pro
priety say Grand lnquisiton, when "a portion oil
its members are active in finding some cause oil
complaint against Democrats for being identified
with secret political orders. while the very mer
H. III.
selves members Of secret political societies. bus,
urging their organization and in initiatin.
members There j. no surer way o
bringing the Grand Jury system into uttel
contempt when Il can be prostitu,ei to tie buses
of partisan aud party purposes Who will re
speet any Of its representations when partisan
pFejudces control its action, and when it become,
mere nquisiiion TO punish poliric-d enemies
and to advance party schemes! IL i a danger
Gus precedent 20 establish. and il nav return {,
plague the inventors
The following. Ne are advised. is the ohli
CATION OF Republican secret order. To- which ",
call she attention ri the Jury IL ~,lI he notice,
that rs avowei oblecl l. 20 resist schemes O
secession in tie Northwest when ever, sensib!
man sell knows TO such schemes have being
bat they made the apology for establishing
secret ouier. 10 be used solely for partisan PM
poses-hence the danger Hypocrisy ADD fsnat
eism the most dangerous Toes TO both socieI
aud the State. and they the basis OF the orier
which administer to At members. when Initiates
the following obligation:
(repeating name and oblisation) DO solemnl
swess that | vii support and maintain the Coz
stifnton OF the United States. and the constitt
ton of the State OF Indiana: that will resi-,
and oppose by every means in nv power a
schemes of secession in the Northwest: that
viii keen secret the obligation aud work OF tb
oraer' that l will protect each member of III
'sAsae IN has persoa. property aud family al
tsat 1" the performance OF this obligation | MI
srsy and saered honor.