Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-02-12
A Secret Reasonable Organization.


The existence of a secret reasonable
organ cation in the Northern States,
in which the real views of that class of
Democrats who follow VALLAND1GHAM
and the WOODS, finds expression, is I'M
questionable.
a correspondent of the Fond du Lac
Reporter says they are being formed in
this State, adds:
few days since the village of Waupun bur-
dened by one of these societies.. And on Monday
eve the town Of Alto the recipient of like IA
vor. person who supposed to be sound was
duly initiated and if any credence is to be at
tached to his statements it is conirnatory of the
worst fears. These organizations meet with closed
DOORS and there the cabalistic orgies of would be
reVolutionsts meet to mature plans for the inau-
guration of civil war In our midst. This may be
thought eXtravagant, but certainly there is some-
thing foot from the tone of the Democratic
press and the voices of their leaders are to
infer that the NOV cment is anything but favorable.
How far the ''Democratic Clubs that
are being organized throught the State,
are based upon these societies, is subject
for some conjecture. 1t is not at all IN
likely that behind each of these clubs,
with few exceptions, exists such nest of
affiliated copper-heads. The members of
the clubs do not all belong, but the lead
ing spirits. who give life to the avowed
organization, we suspect derive their n-
SEPARATION from such source.
The existen ce Of these reasonable So
!; cieties in Indiana and Illinois, is establish.
ed beyond doubt. Recently PROPOSE
ton for IN investigation of the subject
was made in the Indiana Legislature. It
was voted down by q strict party VOTE
Every Democrat voted against the investi-
cation. The objects Of this secret league
are thus stated:
To aid the rebels, to prevent enlistm ents resist
the of war taxes procure assertions from
the army, and assist in separating the Northwest
States from the Union, To these objects the
members are sworn.
The following showing the practical OPP
Grafton of the order, is from the Indian
apolis Journal:
John O. Brown, OF Shelby county, 8
private in the Sd Indiana cavalry, has been
tried by court martial for introducing
the secret society among the soldiers in
camp, the o ject being to encourage de-
sertion, and destroy the army. Brown
pleaded guilty to every charge but one,
and that was proved beyond all doubt,
though the important charges were those
he confessed true. The penalty OF the
offenSe is death, and the Journal says it
probable that this is the sentence Of the
court, but it is not known yet. The trial
lasted some days, aid created no little
sensation among rebel sympathizars.
The guilty Brown was no doubt the
tool OF more Influential traiter3 to The
country. He pleaded in extenuatiou that
he was cajoled into the conspiracy By two
prominent Democratic politicians OF In
dianapolis, giving their names. when he
was under the influence of liquor, bet ad-
mitted his guilt and the reasonable de-
signs Of the secret order. The society op-
crates in two ways, both reaching the
same end, however. First, those who
enter it are sworn TO give their help 10
the scheme OF separating the Northwest
from the Union; ard second, they are
S" orn to encourage and procure desertcns
from the army whenever they have the
opportunity. One process Of SPREADING
The order IN the army is this /: soldier is
at hume on sick list or furlough for few
days. The members Of the order coax
him to join it, and only reveal its full
character after lis cath has sealed his
mouth and tied his hands. Then he is
told that he must desert whenever he can,
and he is employed to administer the oath
of membership to any other soldier. Every
appeal and argument that can be made to
excite lin against the Government, and
dispose him to act zeslously in spreading
dissatisfaction, Is urged. such, according
to the Indianapolis Journal, are the start
ling revelations made public Oh the trial
of Brown.