Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-08-20
The Democratic ODspiraey-Inip0rtant De-
yel0pments Respecting Secret Treassna-
BILE ORGANIZATION.

bic Organizations.
The examination of GREENE b. SMITH, the
Grand Secretary for Missouri of the 40. A.
K. ;" or, as it is more recently styled, the
Sons of Liberty" a secret and reasonable
Democratic organization, spreading through
the loyal States, contains startling confrma-
ton of the previous reports respecting the
existence of an extensive conspiracy to be-
tray the cause of the Union and insure the
success of the rebellion.
The testimony, under oath, of Mr.. SMITH is
published in the st. Louis Democrat. He
states that the Order in question was first
organized in Missouri by one A. P. G. WRIGHT,
of New York. When Mr.. SMITH joined it, he
was informed by the instructor, during his
initiation, that "it was Democratic organl-
cation, gotten up for the benefit OF those en-
gagged in rebellion and to unite the Demo
cratic party proper, with the view of cooper
alton with the rebel army" The order was
expected to cooperate with the rebel army
in the event of an invasion by them OF the
State. The members of the order were Sc
cretly plotting the destruction of the General
Government. with view to the establish
ment of the independence of the rebellious
States. Through members of the order con-
slant communication was kept up between
| st. Louis and the rebel army.
The organization had fund for purchasing
arms and ammunition. Mr.. SMITH himself
had been engaged in making such purchases
in violation of the military regulations. He
bought only revolvers. He had heard the
secret assassination of United States officers,
soldiers and Government employees discussed
| in the council and recommended. Persons
in the employ of the order were engaged in
carving mails between the Northern and
rebel States. The order gave aid and assis
lance to spies and emissaries in the employ
ment of the rebellion, and one of its special
objects was "to place members on steam
boats, ferryboats, telegraph offices, depart
ment headquarters, Provost Marshals' offices
and in fact in every position where they
could render valuable service"
| Just before his arrest, Mr.. SMITH state:
1
raise money to purchase gun caps for the
| Confederate army, and was talked over, bu
whether carried out or not he was not ad
vised.
He had heard congratulatory speeche:
made at thes secret meetings over the sue
cesses of the rebels, principally by certain
| st. Louis member, whose name is suppressed
in the published account. He also gave 1
large number of names of persons connected
with the order, and engaged in secretly pur
chasing or selling arms, which are also with
held from the public for the present Some
blank forms which had come into the posses
sion of the U. S. authorities, with the cap
ton sList of members of the Conservative
| Club at -" was identified by Mr.. SMTE
as a muster roll of the order.
The generally accepted theory of members
of the order is that the officers of the United
States Government have usurped authority
and that it is not only an inherent right, but
an imperative duty for all who think as the
members do, to resist those Federal function
aries, and if need to expel them from power
| by force.
The supreme council of the order was held
in New York City on the 22d of February
last, when G. L. Vallandigham was elected
the Supreme Commander.
The membership, as stated by SMITH, il
large in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio
1t exists, doubtless, in this State. How many
of its members are fully aware of the true
character of the organization, and would act
with it in an armed effort to aid the rebel.
and overthrow the Government we cannot
estimate, there being several degrees in the
Order, and the most important designs being
known only to those in the two highest de
grees. But this much is manifest: the or
ganization is Democratic machine, anC
connected with it are the leading men o.
that party. Thus we have the startling spec
tacle of an organization of men, bound by
oath to aid the cause of the rebels, asking tC
have the control of the Government placed
in their hands. The conspirators will dictate
the nomination at Chicago the members o.
this reasonable order will vote solid for the
nominee of that Convention, and if he shall
be successful will control his Administration
In the event. then, of the election of a Chi
cago nominee to the Presidency, what would
| this Government be worth? How long would
it be before the people of the North would
be forced to the alternative of accepting
the rule of JEFF. DAVIS, or Of fighting for
| liberty on their own soil (?
Are the people prepared for the issue which
is thus soon to be forced upon them? Are
they ready for the momentous question which
| will in November be decided at the ballot
box?
The revelations just made explain many
| things. They show what it is that encour-
ages the rebels, and fortiies them with hope
to still prosecute their effort to break up the
government. They indicate the nature Of
the secret tie of sympathy which causes the
Northern Copperhead and Southern rebel to
breathe with equal venom against the admin
istration of Mr.. LINCOLN, and to long for his
defeat at the next election with equal inten-
sity.
THE New ZEALANDERs have been "playing
roots" on Johnny Bull They are fighting for
independence while England seeks to subju-
gate Them On the goth of May last a san