Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-11-02
Reasonable Organizations.
Omcial Report of Judge Holt,
Judge Advocate General.

Judge Advocate General Hollis report
upon the testimony gathered by him con.
corning the reasonable secret societies
formed in loyal States as adjuncts to the
rebellion, is published. According to
this report, this reasonable order embra.
ces societies bearing various titles such
as Mutual Protection Society, Circle OF
Honor, Circle, or Knights of the Golden
Circle, Corps de Robique, Southern
League, Order of American knights, Or
der of the Sons of Liberty, Peace Organi.
cation, Star Organization, American Or
ganization, Democratic Invincible Club,
Democratic Reading Room, and McClel.
Ian Minute Men. The latter title is the
one born as a secret political association
in New York, and other parts of the
North. or it, Judge Holt says it would
seem to. be a band of the o. A. K. having
substantially the same objects to be &C.
complished. by means suited to the local
tiles in which it il established, for, as the
chief Secretary of this association, DR.. R.
F. Stevens, stated in june last, to q relia-
BILE witness, whose testimony has been
furnished, those who represent the mill.
vigorous prosecution of the war in order
W eONaAO NAO RORaAAA 6Cltlul0uls anu III
are voters. The Mcclellan Minute Guard
as appears by O circular issued by the
chief Secretary, at New York, il organ-
lied upon a basis similar to that of the
Order proper. 1t is composed of compa-
mics, one for each election district, ten of
whom constitute a brigade, a Brigadier
General at its head. The whole is placed
under q Commander-in-Chief The first
Sn-ronNa apnnna.Ia. - a. n-l--..T
C. Wright. Editor of the New York News,
who last May was sent to Fort Lafayette.
Vsllandingham was his successor. Rob-
ert Holloway, of Illinois, was Lieutenant
General, and acted in Vallandigham's
stead during the latter's absence from
the country.
Colonel Ssdderson, in his report on the
progress of the Order, expresses the opin-
ion hat the order was founded by Val
landigham during his Punishment, and
upon consultation at Richmond with Da-
Wis, and other prominent traitors. The
order in Indiana boasts that the ritual
came from JEFF. Davis, and one of the
witnesses states positively that JEFF. Davis
is o member. The number belonging TO
the order has been vsriously estimated at
from 100000 to 100000, but Vallading-
ham in his Dayton speech puts it at $780,
000, which is probably nearest the total.
These are scattered through Indiana, ILL.
nois, Kentucky, Missouri, and New York.
In March last, the entire armed force of tie
Order, sapabI Of being mobiized for Elective
service, was represented to be $50, 900
men. The testimony shows that arms
have been furnished the members. In
d. W. Voorhees' Office were found letters
to sx Senator Wall, of New Jersey, in re-
gard to the purchase Of 20, 900 Garabaldi
rides, to be forwarded to the West
Arms were to be forwarded the order by
way of Canada, and paid for by assessment
IN the lodges. Much testimony was ia
zen on the point, and the report is full
II evidence of extensive operations in
heir particulars. The ritual contains
declarations of State Rights, and l
,gainst the authority of the National q
to coerce rebellious States
y arms, and srgIss that the Erscutive officer 4
T Government may Be srspsLLsd By force Of A
rms chsn they refuse to administer govern
nent in accordance with the letter of the \
ccepted Constitution. The oath declare
hat a member will defend, with arms,
he principles of the order whenever di- :
ected by competent authority of the or D
ers. 1t was admitted by one of the or g
era in Missouri. that on joining, he un
srstood the object to be made An assis-
.ncs to the Confederate Government.- -
Is adds that the order is hostile in ev-
~ respect to the General Government, d.
nd friendly to the so called Confederate
overnment. 1t was exclusively made n
p Of disloysl men DESTROYS of securing <
10 independence of the Confederate
with the view of restoring the :
Union as it WAS" Other purposes of :
he order are shown to be, aiding soldiers q
desert, destruction of Government :
and prosecuting Union men, CO
and murder, and the establish.
snt Ts Northern C~Oafsd0aey.