Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-01-23


SscnsT Political SOCIETIES.
Ma RoBErrs: DO not propose. Mr.. Speaker.
% enter into an extended examination OF the mer-
its Of the resolution offered by the gentleman from
Warren. Nr. Gregory. but the debate has sug
geste,l few IDEAS TO my mind. which thought
| would offer for the consideration Of the House
The other day when the gentleman from
Boone and Hendricks Mr. Casonl offered n reso
luton Of n character similar To this-proposing 70
investigate the question whether secret political
societies did exist 10 this State, or not--l voted
in the negative. and will give you my reasons
Why did so.
In the first place. -ir, the resolution presented
by nv friend from Boone and Hendricks. Mr..
Cason and the one by the venerable gentleman
over the way. Mr.. Gregory are precisely Of the
same character. They assert no fact They sre
both founded on rumor or report The resolu
ton under consideration simply asserts that IL j.
reported that certain secret socites exist. having
in view certain purposes. IL is a report. then.
rumor-and not fact. Adopt the policy which
the friends of this proposition propose. and where
would investigation endf Sir, our time would
be exclusively occupied until the eud OF the ses
sion in pursuing such frivolous investg atons. to
the exclusion OF other business of more import
ancc to the people Such, sir, would be the in
evitable result.
kirk says that every member who supported the
resolutions Of the gentleman from Jackson, Mr.
Brown, II he would be consistent should also
. support the resolution being considered. think
3 otherwise The difference between the resolu-
tons of the gentleman from Jackson. Mr.
Brown. and the one presented by the gentleman
from Warren, Mr. Gregory is very distinct and
2 clear Let Us see As | have already stated.
the demand made for committee Of inyestga-
IN. fhe o( he an m
Warren, il founded rumor report, while
the demand for n committee. as presented ia the
resolutions Of the gentleman from Jackson, IL
founded on facts that patent to the whole
country!
Sir, j. it not well known that the rights OF
many citizens, Of many loyal men. IL you please.
have been ,rampled down by illegal aud arbitrary
arres,sl Certainly. The resolutions of the gen
tleman from Jackson declare those facts in the
most positive terms, and propose to proceed
with the investigation in view OF that under
Standing But not so with the resolution being
sustained by the gentleman from Decatur, Mr..
Van Buskirk No fact is asserted in IL. Sir,
until the friends of this resolution discover facts
Sufficient to enable them 10 declare boldly and in
positive terms. without equivocation, the exist
encc of society that has in view the destruction
of the Government or some other reasonable
purpose will not vote TO raise 4 committee 10
inquire into the matter To raise such com
mttee. under existing circumstance. would be
equivalent to branding n large portion OF the
people OF this State with disloyalty. which ] am
not willing To do, because il would be unjust
The people OF this State are loyal-there are NJ
traitors among them, unless they to be found
in the ranks of the Abolition party
Mr. KrSpaicK. interrupiinII Was the reso
luton Of the gentleman from jackson Mr.
Brown based upon rumor, or upon facty
Mn koBsRrs: Upon facts ~ the gentleman
very well knows But am speaking now of the
pending resolution. Mr.. Speaker. I would here
take occasion to say that there Is another tribunal
in this State which, with more propricty. can take
cognizance of such things. In this city::there is
n Court sitting, the highest known to the laws
the District Court Of the United States-with n
Grand Jury attached to IL, whose duty is To in
vcstigate such things. They can arrest. convict
and punish. We, as a legislative body. can dc
neither. Now, sir, if my friends from Warren
and Decatur know that such societies exist, VIII,
de- they not 20 before that Grand Jury aud make
complaint What do they here? think. SIR |,
Would look better In ihcui--it would give u,
more confidence In their sincerity--were they Il
go before the Grand Jury aud make complaint
instead OF demanding of this body the nyestiga
ton OF rumor. IL they believe their owl
words--f they believe such societies do EXIST
bid them, IN Gods name. 20. and go quickly, be
fore that Jury. and mako thor grievances known
II ! believed them myself, ! would 20 before
that tribunal this hour with a catalogue of N,
names Of those whom suspected of possessing
u knowledge of such society. aud IN tho nam,
OF Indiana would demand a thorough. searching
investigation.
hut. Mr. Speaker. do not believe any goo<
can result from such an investigation as " pro
posed 10y the friends ot the pending resolution
Indeed. u might do great harm: IN my opinion I
would result IN harm. The rebels ~ the Soutl
would hear of 10. aud II would build up the hops
Ia them that they have many allies Ia the Nortl
Who are ready Ia give them aid aud comfort
For this reason alone. would be Inclined 10 vot,
against the resolution. But. sir. do Insist. aside
from Ihi-. that u No are To have an Investigation
NJ ALL u must he by virtue OF resolution tha
asserts positive fact Let them NJ shape thc
| resolution. aud will give II my support Bu
this they will not do. They dare not do IL fo
truths sake Therefore. | must believe that al
| this ~ for ''buncombc "
In CONCLUSION, Mr. Speaker, allow me IN "a,
that with all my heart defeat secret political so
cietics There i nothing mauly about them
| They have never accomplished any good: but. ot
the contrary. they have done much harm. Ia
republic, where Tree discussion Is tolerated. ther,
can be M necessity Tor their existence
La lssl, though but n boy. opposed the Know
| Naihing organization with all my energy; and
had not the people risen up IN their might against
Il. it, history would have been ~ bloody as th'
history OF tie JacObins OF France, Aud here
sir. would remark. that while the gentlemen %
the opposition appear nov Ia be frightened out %
their wits. IN contemplating. ~ | believe. nh i'm
aginary organization. the majority " not NIL u
them, we're members of the Know Nothing soc
ETY. In ls54 Did they then propose to invest
gate Know Nottingham No, sir. But. on ih,
contrary. wherever they had control of the Legs
iative bodies of the country. they we're con
stantly appointing smelling committees a. In
quire into other peoples business What con.
sistency How dare they talk OF ~
But. return 10 the point from which hav,
digre.Sed II there u such society, Ms ~,
gentlemen from Warren aud Decatur speak Of,
devoutl, hope IL will be OF but short duration
IL should not continue foe dsy Ever, Iowa
mau should. and will. frown upon u, | care no
! what name u nav be,r--whe,her IL he Gale,
! Know Nothiugs. Knights of The Golden Circle, O
anything elsc-it must aud will he crushed on,
Let men whocombine - accomplish certain pur
| poses write their sentiments OF the outer walls
that the people NAV behold them. ana then. /
they be good the people will approve But d
not 20 into the dark To- make known your pur
peses. Tor Warts seek. the light ot day tha
she nav be known of all men.
Finally. Mr. Speaker. repeat. that the friend
at this measure design only Ia manufacture
little political capital 20 save their sinking shiT
i They see that the wrath Of the pcople Is concen
tr.tng upon them. ard unless something j. don
to avert the impeding storm. they will receive
they deserve. the Just condemnation OF ever
| L.. Ir,fs OtrD L. th.t. h. A II,