The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-02-10
A SECRET CONSPIRACY OF TRAi.
ban "a TORS IN THE WEST.

From the Cleveland Herald


.osu [From the Cleveland Herald] i .rl
Tho Knights ofXthe Golden, Circle their
aiden and abettors, have an organization
throughout the West as well as the South
1t is a secret league Of traitors Of the most
dangerous character. The object is to aid
the rebels, to prevent enlistments, resist the
collection Of war taxes, procure dosertions
from the army, and assist in separating the
North western States from the Union. To
these objects tho members are sworn. The
ritual, oath and operation of the order in
Indiana have been revealed. Its existance is
not denied 10 that State, and the Democratic
party in the Indiana Legislature have made a
formal aud emphatic admission Of its existance
and their connection with it, by voting down
proposition to investigate it aa
!, A serious case has grown out OF the secret
society at Indianapolis John 0. Brown, Of
Shelby county, private in the 81 Indiana
cavalry, has been tried by court martial for
introducing the secret society among the sol.
diers in camp, the Object being to encourage
dessrtion, and destroy the army. Brown
pleaded "guilty" to every charge but, one,
and that was proven beyond all doubt, though
the important charges were those he confessed
true. The penalty Of the offence is death,
and the Journal says it is probable that this
is the sentence Of the court, but il is not known
yet. The trial lasted some days, and created
no little sensation among rebel sympalhizers
The guilty Brown was no doubt the tool Of
more influential traitors to tho country. He
pleaded in extenuation that he was csjoled in
to the conspiracy by two prominent Democrat
c politicians OF Indianapolis, giving thei
names, when ho was under the influence o
liquor but admitted his guilt aud the t.ea
sonabls designs of the secret order. The SO
ciety operatse 10 two wavs, both reaching the
same ond, however. First, those who entel
it are sworn to give them help TO the scheme
Of separating the Northwest from the Union
and second they are sworn to encourage and
procure descrtons from the army whenever
they have the opportunity. One process, o
Spreading the order Of the army is this: A
soldier is at home on sick list for furlough 70
few days. The members of the order Goa:
him to join il aud only reveal it's full charac
ter after tho oath has sealed his mouth an(
tied his hands. Then be is told he mus
desert whenever he can, an he is empowered
other soldier. Every appeal and srgumeu
that can be made to cite him against the gov
ernment, and dispose him to act zeaously il
spreading dissatisfaction is urged. Such, ac
cordiug to the indianapolis Journal are th
startling revelations made public on the tra
Of Brown. Of some of the workings Of th
infamous order, that paper says:
"In this city it is known that there are
nu nber of the members in the esd regiment
and in some companies Of the Sd and 5tl
cavalry. The 25th battery, which came her
10 organize with l40 men, was 80 completed,
broken up by dcsertions procured by the or
der, that the few that were left-atout 80
were transferred to another battery. Ant
Of this thirty, ell but one deserted VIXEN or
dered to the field. Ono man member o
the order, deserted with three revolvers; an
other took a couple of stand Of arms, ant
nearly all took some potion or other of thei
arms or accourtrenents. Such operations al
these would speedily ruin any army. In the
camps here thero have been checked, and The
active men arrested. This order the Demo
Gratis in the Legislature refused to allow inves
tigated, by strict party vote. Romembe
this fact. 1t is significant"
In closing full aud clear statement Of the
Democratic movements in Indiana for new
secession, the Journal thus warns the friend'
Of the Union:
"To what do all these facts point! A se
cret order dcmoralzipg the army and thinning
it by dosertious Democratic courtsinterfere tC
protect deserters, and to resist tho only au
thoritv that eau punish them or prevent thei
crime; Democratic Legislature refusing Il
allow an investigation Of the mischieveous or
der; Democratic leaders jusiifying the rebel
lion ard falsifying notorious facts to do il
Democratic papers constantly advocating The
secession of the Northwest from New Eng
land; and every single fact named operating
to support and advance that secession. Dc
not these facts, open, glaring and notorious
call for action on the part Of the peoplel
we are not to be forced out of the Union BY
the temporary power Of a party which already
makes no secrets Of it's designs, we must be
ready 10 act. Friends of tho Union, you
must act; organize, spread facts and argu
ments everywhere. Be prompt, vigilant and
bold, and you will defeat these schemes. b
supine and distruslful Of the danger and you
will 60 out Of the Union just as Tennessee
did, and just as disastrously, too."