The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1864-08-04
tOrous Organization Brought
to Light.

The St. Louis Democrat Of the 28th ult.
publishes long account of conspiracy
for the erection of Northwestern Con-
federacy 1t must be confessed that there
is much about the whole thing that ap-
pears ridiculous, but the fact that an or
ganization like that Of the "Amerlcan
knights" exists would make non-action and
Indifference towards it on the part of the
Government or people in time OF a war
such as is now in progress: appear still
more ridiculous.
The organization engaged in this con-
spiracy is known as the order of the
"American Knights and its real object
is to em5arrass the Government in the
conduct of the war, and to overthrow the
Government, if necessary, for the snprem-
acy of the order. Its professions and pur-
poses are different in different States. Lit
proclaims war policy in New York,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and other Eas-
tern States, while in the Westit is for peace.
The order of the Southern organization
is erected on the ruins of the sknights
of the Golden Circle" and General Sterl-
ing Price is supreme commander. Val
landisham, while in Richmond, was made
supreme commander OF the Northern sec
ton of the order, aud conspiracy was
entered into between him and the rebel
authorities to divide the East and West,
and thus aid the Southern rebellion
Vallandigham's time in Canada was prin-
cipally spent in furthering this scheme
He had conference with some leading
spirits in the North soon after his arrival
in Canada, and arranged for the establish
ment of the order throughout the loyal
States. The names of all who visited him
at the Clifton House are known to the
Government Among them are William
B. Reed, of Philadelphia, Pendleton and
Pugh, of Ohio, Keybben, Of Chicago, are
published The results of this Conference
are also known to the Government
About the nrst Of January Vallandigham
issued an address to the lodges OF the loyal
States, in which he calls upon the members
to renew their vows, and says the time is
fast approaching which will test their
sincerity that the prosecution OF the war
is violation of the rights Of the States,
and President Lincoln is an usurper. A
meeting of the Grand Commanders of the
the 22d of February, for the purpose OF
organizing an outbreak on the 10th OF
March, the day fixed for the draft, but no
definite plan was resolved upon. The
names ofthose conspirators are also known.
The same commanders had conference
with the superior commander at Windsor,
Canada, early in April, for general con-
sultation. Among those IN attendance
were M'Master, of New York, Chas. Ia.
Hank, of ST. Louis, and Layfayette Oeviln,
of In6. The programme adopted at tins
meeting was that Vallandisham should
represent his District in Ohio In the
Democratic National Convention, and
there proclaim the doctrine of the order,
viz: Pronounce the existing administra-
ton of the government a power usurped,
which the people had right to expel, by
force if necessary in fact to inauSurate-
rebellion in the North, III which he was
to be supported by the order. Each Grand
Commander was to have an armed body
guard at the Convention for the defence OF
Vallandigham.
This, it was thought, would precipitate
the people of the free States into an armed
conflict, and would be the signal for the
members of the order to unite against the
lawful authorities, and kill or capture the
civil military authorities, seize the arsen-
ais, arms, and public property of all kinds,
and proclaim the Government overthrown.
There is the most convincing evidence OF
the truthfulness of this statement. The
reason Of Vallandigham's sudden return
to Ohio was the fear Of being defeated as
delegate to the Chicago Convention, and
it was only by his presence that his elec-
tion was secured The Eamerical strength
of this order is said to be over halt a
million, one hundred and fifty thousand
Of whom are armed and organized. The
order in New York il called the NJ 'Clellan
Minute Men, numbering uover two hun
dred thousand The Grand Commander
Of Missouri is Charles ID. Hunt, nephew
of James H. Lucas, for many years Bel
gian Consul; deputy Grand Commander,
Charles L. Dunn, city officer of ST. Louis.
A long list of names of members of the
order in differen. States, together with full
Information concerning the whole scheme,
is in the hands Of the authorities at
Washington, and probably viii be given
to the public at the proper time.
EXTRA SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE.