The Placer herald., 1863-04-25


We submit below our last letter to this Trimble,
and his reply We thought that if we could get
him to say that they were to arm themselves that
we would have stronger proof of their intentions
than any inference we could draw ourselves from
their rituals, etc. We give also the pricate key.
and show by it howlthey know each other, and
how we can know them. and spot the internal
scoundrels who are trying to subvcrt our gov
ernment and rob us of our liberties Our last
letter is as follows:
CARTHAGE, Feb II, 1868.
Dear Sir:-The box containing my commission
came this morning. | have not yet had time to
examine it, but hasten to acknowledge its receipts
before the mail leaves. Have the kindness to
send the private key and such other instructions
as may need. | desire to ask cOnfdentiaUy
whether you think we had better qnietly procure
arms to use or not. We do not know what con-
tingency may arise, and hence 4 SIX for informa-
ton. Yours for the Union,
7. B. GRIFFITs.
John Trimble, Jr., ID. d. Chicago.
To this Capt Griflits received the following
letter; and the honest and unsuspecting people
can see the helish purposes of these devils in
human shape.
OFFICE OF GEN. SEC. S. B..
p. O. Box 6295
CHICAGO, H.. Feb. 10, 1868.
7. B. GRIFrITs, Capt. 5. b. Carthagel
Dear Captain:- Yours of the 18th is received,
and enclose the Key. We leave the matter Of
arms to the State Division when formed, l will
say this individually, that arms WW not be want
ed to defend our flag when the time requires it.
will send you the Camp Ritual to-day. You
can have arms in your camp if You so desire it,
Wishing you all success, am,
Yours for the Union,
JouN TRIMBIE, Jr, Gen. Sec.
We give the following letter in reply to ours
asking him to send the commission for Mr.. Ossmon
Office of General Secretary S. b.
P. O. Box 6295, 7
CHICAGO, H., Feb. lS 1868.
Capt. 7. B. Grifiits-Dear Sir: Your letter
of February 10th affords great pleasure as
giving evidence of your going heartily to work.
Since your last the colonecy has been accepted by
Thomas Geddcs, of Fountain Green. The cap
tains already commissioned are yourself, Joseph
Ogden, Durham; K n. Leach Fountain Green;
John Roth. Pilot Grove L. Smith, Cogswell, La
Harpc. Your nominations for captains will to-
day be submitted to Col. Geddcs, and unless 9TH
ers have already been made in their townships
they will doubtless be approved. in which event
the commissions will be promptly forwarded. l
hope ere this you have received your package.
Yours for the Union,
JOHN TRIMBLE, Jr.,
Gen. Sec'y, S. B.
1t will thus be seen that we have men base
enough in our county, to go into this infamous
organization. We have given their names. in
order thay their fellow citizens may spot them
u
ferred to-:
Page 33 (RituaD AT A use word Gideon.
s. 50 At use the word Marathon.
36 =" q d" Bannockburn.
SO " d 4" 50 Switzerland.
q 40 @ n Yorktown,
50 . L Here deliver the following expla-
nation:
Gideon was the battlefield described in the 10th
chapter of Joshua There the Israeites under
the immediate supervision of Jehovah, achieved
their final triumph over their foes and gained
their possession OF the promised land. Marathon
is where the Grecans routed the hosts of Persia
and preserved the freedom of their country
Bannockburn is the scene of the defeat of the
English by the Scottish army under Bruce. -
That brave people achieved immortal honor and
independence upon that field. Switzerland has
been in all ages the ground of the noblest strug-
giles between freedom and despotism. Yorktown
witnessed the crowning struggle between the
British and Americans, and virtually terminated
the revolutionary war in our favor. These five
names designated on the signet ring by the
initials G. M. B. S. Y. call to mind some of the
sublmest events on the pages Of history, and
arouse every impulse OF patriotism in emulation,
Page 81. G. There are seven means of recog-
ni'ion. First. To exhibit the resignation certif-
cate. Without this no comrade can be recognized
outside OF the immediate circle of his acquan-
tances. Second. The sgnet ring which should
always be worn by comrades when travelling. use
it by explaining to each other alternately the
initials beginning with the letter B. Third The
medal. This is worn breastpin or suspended
on the watch gaurd, &C.. and has the wearcr's
name and number on it.
Page 53 Use the following address: I" have
already explained to you the first three means Of
recognition. viz: the registration certificate, sig
net ring and medal The fourth is the qurtery
password. used for gaining admission into camp.
IS a pnt fp hn Etnt rnrhi Of tIn
S. B., viz: Warren, Webster, Clay, Jefferso n
and Washington The sixth is reference to the
thlrtytour States as on the seal of the registra-
tlon certificate. The seventh is by the use OF Il
five barreled revolver. (Full explanations of the
seventh means OF recognition are found in the
Ritual OF the Camp now in press.)"
This is correct copy Of their key. By it any
one can tell these fellows who recognize each
other by the use of a five barreled revolver"
for the purpose of taking the live of their fellow
citizens. We have not adverted to half of the as
founding statements contained in the ritual, be-
cause we have not the time to do so. The public
will hear more from us on this subject. Enough
is here given to arouse the people of this State
and all the States to full sense of their danger.
All around us are secret bands of men our
neighbors-who are nightly devisng plans where
by we can be deprived Of our liberties Let the
democrats and conservatives of the land arouse;
and while these desperate men are arming under
servatives Can also procure five barrelled revol
vers." Let democratic invincible clubs be form
ed all over the land, hold all their meetings
openly, and openly resolve to maintain their
rights or die defending them. The people must
arm against these secret assailants OF our govern
ment and when they strike, let the people strike
in return. and give them bullet Tor bullet. We
are not alarmists, but we have felt it to be our
duty to expose this most infamous organization,
and warn our fellow citizens of the dangers i'm
pending.
We obtained all these secrets by simply writing
for them. We have taken no obligations to keep
them. We have not even signed any receipt for
them. Or given any promise or pledge not to ex-
pose them. Neither has Mr. Griffits. We inform
ed John Trimbe, Jr., D. D., that this is strong
copperhead county, and we think that he will
agree with US, and that when he sees this he will
conclude that he has been bitten by three "copper"
heads" GEO. W. HALL.
NJ. CoUCHMAN.
Carthage, ILL.,, Feb 23, 1861.