The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1863-03-25

izatiOn Extending Through OuI
the Whole NOrth-TBe Objects
aud A inns OF which are TO Es
tabiish "a Military DcspOt,sm
i'm the North.
To the Editor of hs Enquirer:
About three weeks ago the undersigned
observed an editorial article in the Dali,
Reokuk Constitution, containing some infor.
nation in regard 10 secret military organi
sation. which was being rapidly extended
over the country, and which ii was thought
was intended to aid in fastening on the
American people an Odious military despot.
ism. 1t Immediately attracted our attention
and We determined TO endeavor to learn The
true facts in re erencsto this oath 6ound, Sc
cret and dangerous organization. We OBJ
served that the Gate City, an abolition news
paper OF keOkuk, containe an article ad
vocating the formation oil the s. B, Societies
in Lee County, Iowa and stating that ar
rangements were made TO iorm then in that
lLcality. .|. ...
Ii was further stated that persons DESTROYS
Of obtaining inloi nation in regard 10 il
could address John TIimtle. j., d D., b x
6,295, Chicago, Illinois, who would send cir
culars. constitu ions, rituals, &c. We al
once decided to address this individual. -
| Thinking it might be better to use some
other name than our own, we Obtained the
consent OF Mr.. L B Griffits, OF this place,
and sent this John Trlmbie, d D., letter,
asking information and requested him to
send such documents as he thought proper.
lie replied to MIR. Grltiits by sending two
printed circulars. .r..
| In one of these circulars it is said that
every thing now depends on speed; what
we do mus be done in the ext ninety days
or all is lost. .....
He requests Mr.. Grifits, in this, to send
him the name oI good loyal mau to act as
Colonel Tor this county, and five or ten suila.
bic names Tor Captains.
To them he promised to send commits.
sions rituals, private instructions, &c.
In the other circular he explains what
the s. B. mean. They imply "Strong
Band" or "Slrong Brotherhood" and their
private me ,nipg is Spartan Band and trey
are borrowed from those German Bands
which, in the last days OF Napoleon, did SO
much hunting the people OF Prussia, Ilol
land, &c. He says the idea implies the
cementing Of loyal citizens together in an in.
dissolulable bond" He says the first men
OF the nation approve it," and that they ex
pect to have a quarter Of million by the
4th OF j uly next, and lour times that mum
Der by New Years. Among other objects
it is stated that they teach by covenants,
eD'b'ems and solesan ceremonies, The harmony,
strength and beauty 9} national unity." lie
says that recruit must be eighteen, AM
upward, OF age, but that they will take IN
youths OF AZ lie also says in This circular
that the organization is essentially mill |
tary," and that ''it is parlake in structure"
He urth her tells Mr.. Gntfit. that proper per
sons are being sought out in every county
in your State" to enlist men in this danger
GUS midnight organization. ... ... ..
These circulars are signed John Trmble !
jr., General Secretary 5. b." Mr.. Griffits |
sent the following letter in reply to these
CARTHAGE, HANCOCK Co., JLL.,(
February 8, 1868.
"DEAR SIR: Yours Of the 4th inst. came
to hsnd last evening ! have shown your
circulars to lew ,ehable friends. and we
have agreed that an olganza ion should be
formed.
"Ihis is strong Copperhead country, and
we wish to organ ze as quietly as possible.
In consultation with our friends last evening
we decided TO recommend A. M Ossman as
Colonel tor the country, aud you may send
ion to ME as Captain for this town
ship, as this is our understanding here.
.'ln the mean time, | will visit olher parts
81 the country and get suitable friends to act
rs Captains.
alt will probably be better to have their
before any other commissions are
sent ''.r
"Please send Immediately the rituals,
commissions, guides and private instruction
rs is necessary. '' =
"Yvurs, TOR the Union. .
-. ~. B GRIFFITs."
JOHN TRIMDLE JR., Chicago.
OFFlcE GEN. SEC s. B., P. B 6,295)
CHICAGO, ILL, February 10, 1852.
5RIFFITs, Captain s, B. ...
DEAR CAPTAIN:-Y Yours OF the 9Th is
'eceiVed, and We forward TO you by express
iour commission, rituals, &c. Write lue
on their receip,, and will send
,y mail the p,iuate key The rule is not to
end commissions, documents, &c, until the
person agrees to act. Does Mr. Ossman
gree TO act? If so, let me know, and
Will Onward his documents righ, away -
Please let me hear from ou by return mail
IN this subject. .......,. t.
IL think that you will have no difficulty in
perating alter on have studied the ritual
are 'ully. ..t.. ... :, .... .,...,..
''Hpping to hear from you soon, am yours
or the Union. .....f...5 -
". .... JOHN TRIMBLE, JB,.
....,.. ls. .. General Secretary"
In reply to this, Mr.. Grifiits stated, on
he 18th, that Mr.. Ossman consented and |,
equested him to forward all necessary doc. ;
Iments, and in order to encourage him to
hat he was actively at work, he sent him ,
wo fcti ious DaDes ror Captains, TO wit: !
ohm Tomkins and Vim. Sparry. On the
9Th inst, the hox came by express, contain
ng Captain Griffis cou mission, several cop !
es OF the constitution. the ritual. the guide
o enlistment fifty invitation cards, several
ireulars, and nice little card stating that
ohm Trimble has room number six, up stairs
No. 96 Randolph Chicago.
The commission is magnificent one IN
ppearence, is printed on fine parchment pa q
er, has the great seal oil the 5. B. and IS as !
blows. toh ay .f aaa- ai q
~ 'f r.. B.] RE- #n ;
OFFICE OF TIE GRAND SECRETARY In
CHICAGO, ILL.,, Feb. 10, 1853. II
"7o all to uIoas these presents shall come p
resting: Know ye, that + B. Griffits hav 0
ng been duly appointed Captain in the ILL
ois s. b., in The county Of Hancock, !, n
ohm Trlmble, jrr y D., Secretary Of the
J. B. Association. and AJjutant General, {
,r the time being, for the State Of Illinois, b
,r and in behalf Of the entire Comradeship c
{ said Association, do commission HIM tol
AXE rank in the s. b. as Captain from this a