The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-08-10
THE nOLE OR TnEAsON.
Further Developmenss.

we give DeioW > Synopsis OF most o'
the important admissions made by Green
B. Smith, of ST. Louis, upon an official
examination by the authorities there, in
reference to his completely with the
schemes of the reasonable Order, Of
American Knights. We CLEAN from the
Democrat of the 9th inst. Smith was a
Secretary Of the Temple 1t St. Louis. and
in the course Of his examination he makes
full and clear expose of the strength,
intent and designs of the organization.
f, showing that it is deliberate. unmixed,
damnable treason that the whole con-
Germ was born in rebeldom, that it has
been nourished BY disloyalty and hatred
of the Government, and that it lives, or
rather did live, merely to embarass the
Administration 10 the prosecution Of the
war, and to lend aid to the rebels in their
efforts to disrupt the Union, overwhslm
us with national ruin. and if possible
make the Southern Confedsracy sue
cess.
II this organization were only found to
exist in the rebel States, if its members
were Southerners and Southern secession
lists alone, we might not be greatly sur
prised or concerned at its magnitude or
Its fixed attitude of deliberate and intense
hostility 10 the authorities and Govern
ment of the United States. But when
We regard its extent, the great numbers
who are shown to be members of it, and
the malignity of its hatred towards the
Government and Union men and meas.
ures; that it is the ally of traitors and
the confederate of rebels, and when we
reflect further, that it is not 10 the South,
but in the North that this Order has its
home, that it has reared its temples
throughout all the loyal States. i. then
startles every man and makes him con-
cerned and vigilant.
That the organization has and does ex-
ist, that its government and its objec, are
substantially as has been shown by many
different witnesses during the present de-
veiopments, there can be no doubt. And
now that the expose has been made, the
speech of Valandigham upon his return
to Ohio, would in our opinion, be suffi-
cient to establish the fact of the existence
of the order, even were there no further
or other evidence of it. But to the cx-
animation of Smith.
Hi. gives the name of the organization
as the Order Of American Knights, re.
Gently changed to :" Sons of Liberty -
He Joined the order in the Spring of
1868. There are FIVE degrees. We give
some questions and answers:
@. What are the initiatory steps taken
upon entering this order? A. The first
thing 10 be done is TO ascertain his senti
ments, and II in accordance with those
entertained by member, he is i'm niedi
ately solicited to join. and taken to the
ante-room of the Temple, or to members
room, where the Neophyte is duly in
structed according to the formulas laid
down in that portion Of the rituals to be
found in phamphlet marked w. to v. to
order of business inclusive"
Q. What is the grip, sign of recogni-
tion and password to the fifth degree p
A. The grip is given by clasping the
right hand with the index or fore-fngef
resting upon The pulse OF each; The Sign
1.-THE only genuine one) is made by shad-
ing the eyes with the right and the left
hand placed upon the right breast, and
the password l am unable to give, because
each county mas distinct one, aud is
changed monthly.
q. What is the origin of the order of
American Knights, A. / have heard
that it originated in the State of Louisia-
ma, in 1853 also, that it extends back
to the Revolution Of l776, having had q
precarious existence to the present rebel
lion.
@. What is the relation between this
order and the so-called Confedefats Gov
ernmeut? A. At the time | Joined
understood that its object was to aid and
assist the Confederate Government, anc
endeayor to restore the Union as il wa.
prior to this rebellion.
@. In what particular was aid and as
sistance to be given to the Confederat.
Government A. 1a Any and all ways
aud at any and all times. ~
@. Do you know anything about ad
vices in reference to the order having
been sent to the rebel army A. O
my own knowledge do not, but .hav'
through members heard that constan
communication was kept up between St
Louis and the rebel army. os
q. When was the revolutionary move
ments contemplated BY this order TO hsv,
taken place 7 A. The advent of M
Vallandigham into the United States from
exile. sae exs4 flsa,e S !.
Q When we're the. members of tai
order first ms tructed to arm and urepar
for this movement? A. In the sumne
or fall of 1868.
q. In what manner vas the Copfed
crate armv 10 co .onerate vith th;s A.a..