The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-02-27
THE KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN
CIRCLE.
some Facts nbolt the order sn sm.
diana

On the 10th inst, the Grand Jury If the
United States District Court, now in ses
sion ut indianapolis, made presentment
that, on the 18th, Jesse Mcilenry, q wit
ness before them, testified that he knew Of
the existence Of 2 secret organization called
the "Mutual Protectionists," composed OF
from two TO three hundred persons, who met
at certain hall in indianapolis, who took
upon themselves certain Obligations, and had
certain secret grips, signs and passwords,
and that he had administered said obliga.
tions. and had given certain secret grips.
signs and passwords. and that there was,
among other signs, n military sign, by which
members of the order aforesaid may recog-
nize each other when in opposing armies.--
He was then asked to state thc obligations
administered by him to the persons initiated
Ms near as he could and, also, to give the
signs by which the members of said order
may recognize each other, and particularly
the sign by which they may recognize each
other in case Of being in opposing armies.
or what is called the military sign.
To all these questions be (McHenry) re-
fused to make any answer.
On the 17th Instant another presentment
was made by the same grand jury. that on
the 10Th one George Hughes was before
knew Of the existence Of secret orgsniza-
ton called the Knights Of the Golden
Circle" was himself member, and had
initiated other persons that an organiza-
ton existed in his neighbour God, mum boring
from forty to sixty Dersons, Of the same
kind, in Johnson county that there were
two degrees Of the order, the members of
which took separate oaths and obligations
one from the other; that he had taken the
second oath. The first oath obligated the
member thereof to support the Constitution
OF the United States and the Constitution
OF the State of Indiana that the member
will protect the other members Of the order
when required to do so, and keep secret the
grips, signs and pass words of said order
and will support the Democrat PLATFORM
Hughes also testified that the second oath
is very binding one, and requires the mem
Der to keep secrets and signs Of the order
under penalty Of having his bowels ripped
open and in addition to the obligations be-
fore specified, further ohlga,es the initiated
to oppose the further prosecution OF the
war against the Southern States, and the
member is given what is called the military
sign. by which members may recognize each
other in opposing armies. That the men,
bers composing the second degree are given
different password from those belonging
to the first degree. and that members Of the
first degree are not allowed to come into the
meetings of those Of the second, unless they
have taken the second oath.
George Hughes was asked to give tie
pass words and signs by which the mem.
bers Of the Order may recognize each 9th
or. and particularly the military sign. and
refused to give any of them.
The question Of the legality of compell
ing McHenry TO answer the questions asked
him was debated in Court on Wednesday.
He contended that he could not do so with
out eliminating himself. Judge Smith rul-
ed that, while it was clear tha, the Court
could not compel witness to criminate him !
self under the circumstances arising in this 1
case, il was equally as clear that when |
witness had partially divugedNk knowledge
Of societies, that he might be required TO
make a fuller statement - @
Hughes having made a partial revelation.
Of course under this ruling, may be brought
up 10 tell all be knows.