The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-07-29
A Northwestern COnfederacy Projected.
ARREST OF THE LEADERS.

OIL LOl is, MO., July 20. MUCH surprise
was created here short time since by the
arrest of several prominant secessionists of
this city, whose offence was unknown at the
time, but has lately come to light They
were connected with conspiracy extending
throughout the entire Mississippi valley,
having for its object the erection of north
western confederacy.
Provost Marshal General Sanderson has
been gathering evidence in the matter for
several months. This testimony is now in
| possession of the Washington authorities
1t duplicates many prominent men, ard
shows that a very dangerous organization
had been formed.
One of the parties arrested here is said to
have been so badly frightened that bond
| for half million was offered for his re-
lease.
! 1t is believed that the recent guerrilla
movements of this state have connection
with this great conspiracy, particularly as
Thornton, i'll a speech at Platte, said: The
Knights of the Golden Circle are organized
and armed and ready to rise throughout the
state.
Thornton also said that Vallandieham was
with them, and that he (ThCrnton) had
troops in every county in the state, and that
his men we're coming up from the south, and
that 1900 men had been destroying the Han
nlbal ard st. Joseph railroad OH their march.
During Col. Sanderson's investigation of
this conspiracy he discovered the intended
renewal Of boat burning on the Western
rivers and was able in several instances to
avert most serious consequences.
1t is probable the whole matter in its
startling importance will be ventilated in a
few days.
The above telegram but foreshadows what
would have been the fate of this great ma
ton had the government not stood out
against the claims of the "peace on any
terms party, under the leadership of Sey-
mour, Pierce, Vallandigham and other friends
of the rebels. Had the southern states been
permitted peaceably to dissolve their connec.
ton with the other states forming the Union,
the ambitious politicians in other portions
OF the country might have brllied the peo-
Pile to declare for confederacy, comprising
one or two states, and thus there would be a
dozen or more confederacies within the limits
OF the territory now known as the United
States. History shows that small provinces,
with nothing to mark their boundaries but
small streams or imaginary lines, governed
by different persons are continually engaged
In warfare with each other. In Europe year
after year for centuries hostilities have exist
ed between some of the smaller provinces,
and scarcely twelve months pass without
some blood-shed. What reason have We for
believing it would have been different with
the people of the United States, had several
Independent governments been established !?
None at all. History repeats itself; like
causes produce like results. How judicious
then the edict which says all the states must
stay in the Union and be governed by men cho-
sen by a majority of the people. How much
wiser to have this matter of secession settled
now, by force of arms even, than to let the
south 60, thereby establishing a precedent
which any of the states can follow. The
sacrifice of human life in this war is very
great, the expences are enormous; and yet,
if we may Judge the future by the past as
history records it, not 1.-THE of the blood
will be shed, nor treasure expended in crush
ing the rebellion even though war continues
two or three years longer, that would have
been had the south bee. allowed to secede.
Then We should have had war for centuries,
, with perhaps intervals of suspended hos.
tlllties' but no permanent peace. 1t behooves
, every man, then, who desires to save blood
shed to DO all he can to fill up the ranks of
the Union army and crush the rebellion.