Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-16

The Grand Inquisition.
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 or to crafty personal malevolence. If Sc
cret political societies nimical to our form of
government and the spirit Of our free institutions,
the investigation of the subject by Grand Jury
should be free from party prejudice and bias, and
all such organizations should be alike condemned.
But how is it in the present instance2 Several
members OF the present Jury were doubtless
members Of the celebrated Know Nothing order.
Did they think it the province of Grand Jury
entertaining opposite political sentiments and
party affiliations to investigate the objects of that
organization2 The foreman of the present Jury
we'll knows that there is secret Republican po-
litical society extending all over the State. He
understands its objects and has probably initiated
members, and no man would be more rampant
in condemning a partisan investigation OF is
characfer and purposes than he. He may claim
that the object of the U. Cts, or the s. Ms, or
the K. N C.'s, are eminently patriotic, and 50 do
the members of every political order. but in al
most every case such organizations are perverted
from the original design in institutng them. and
they become engines of oppression and evil. Its
common rumor that Governor MORTON and other
Republican leaders urging the organization of
Republican secret clubs throughout the State,
and that Ire is furnishing them with arms what
right has the Executive Of State, representing
the entire people, to thus prostitute his positionf
Are not such matters eminently worthy the in
vestigation of Grand Jury, which in its official
character should be beyond the reach of party
influences partisan sympathes, especially at a
time like the present? There is secret Repub-
lican political order which meets liz hall on
Washington street in this city, and the fact is
probably known to some of the members of the
Jury. If secret political societies are inimical to
the Government, why does not the Grand Jury
take cognzance of that and the hundreds of
similar organizations throughout the State, if in
the discharge Of their official trust its members are
influenced solely by patriotic considerations and
are looking with an eye single to the best inter
ests of the countryl 1t is queer commentary
upon the fairness of the investigations of the
present Grand Jury. we might with more pro-
priety say Grand InquistiOn, when portion OF
its members active in finding some cause of
complaint against Democrats for being identified
with secret political orders. while the very men
who are engaged in this prosecution them
selves members of secret political societies. busy
urging their organization and in initiating
members. There is no surer way of
bringing the Grand Jury system into utter
contempt when it can be prostituteJ to the basest
of partisan and party purposes. Who will re-
spect any Of its representations when partisan
prejudices control lis action, and when it becomes
mere inquisition to punish political enemies,
and to advance party schemes? It is danger
Gus precedent to establish, and il may return to
plague the inventors.
The following, we are advised, is the obi
CATION of Republican secret order, to which we
call the attention of the Jury. IL will be noticed
that its avowed object is to resist schemes of
secession in tile Northwest" when every sensible
man veil knows no such schemes have being.
but they are made the apology for establishing a
secret order. to be used solely for partisan pur-
poses-hence the danger. Hypocrisy and fanati
cism are the most dangerous foes to both society
aud the State and they are the basis of the orders
which administer to its members, when Initiated,
the following obligation:
j repeating name and obligation) do solemnly
swear that will support and maintain the Con-
rstiIution of the United States, and the COnstitu
ton of the State of Indiana: that / will resist
AND oppose by every means in nv power all
| schemes OF secession in the Northwest; that
will keep secret the obligation and work OF this
order; that i will protect each member of this
league In his person. property and family; and
that to the performance OF this obligation |, with
you, do hereby irrcvocably pledge my life, prop
erty and sacred honor.