Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-08-11
Reasonable ORGANIZATIONS.

TreasOnable ORGANIZATIONS.
Among the persons recently arrested in
Missouri on the charge of being connected
with reasonable organization, known as
the American Knights, or the Sons of lib
erty, was Green b. Smith, Secretary of the
Order, in that State. This individual has
made full confession, under oath, Of his
connection with the secret Order, its ope-
ratons, its Object, and the designs of the
leaders. This testimony, as officially re-
ported, we spread before the readers Of the
Gazette this morning, aid we direct there
to the careful attention of American citi-
zens of all, regardless Of party relations,
who love their country, and desire to res
cue it from the destruction which its enc
mics are seeking to bring about, and to save
their own firesides from tho horrible conse-
quences of anarchy. This is no scarecrow
development. gotten up for political effect
1t is not the say-so Of an officer Of the Gov.
ernmeDt put forth as evidence Of his own
efficiency in ierreting out secret conspira-
cies; but the testimony of one who occupied
a high position in the Order, who speaks
from personal knowledge, and who forycurs
has been faithful member of the organ-
zation. and has la abored industriously in the
execution Of its designs.
der arrest upon charge similar to that
preferred against Smith. Among these is
Charles l.. Hunt, Of St. Louis, who was one
Of the chiefs Of the Order. This person has
signiied willingness to follow the example
af Smith, in making full confession.
Hunt, it will be observed, by Smiths test-
mOny. tattended the Supreme Council in
New York, by which Vallandigham was
elected Supreme Commander of the Order;
and subsequently, he attended n meeting at
Windsor, to consult with Vallandigham
when the name OF the Order was changed
to that of the Sons Of Liberty. n
The object Of this order, it will be noticed,
is a revolution in the loyal States and the
success of the rebellion. At the head Of
this Order stands Clement L. Vallandig-
ham, leader of tho Ohio Democracy. dele
gate to the Chicago Convention, and candi.
date for Vice President of the United
States. Connected with tho Order are most
Of the leading Democratic politicians of the
North; and on intimate relations with this
organization are the rebels of the South
Every traitor. Nortb.and South is eligible to
his followers the Order Of the Sons of Lib.
erty was organized and is sustained.
Its membership, as stated by Smith, is
large in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and
Ohio. How many Of its members are fully
aware of the true character Of the organiza-
ton, and would act with it in an armed ef
fort to aid the rebels and overthrow the
Government we cannot estimate, there be-
ing several degrees in the Order, and the
most important designs being known only
to those in the two highest degrees. But
this much is manifest: the organization is q
Democratic machine, and connected with it
are the leading men Of that party. Thus we
have the startling spectacle of an organiza-
tion of men, bound by oath to aid the cause
of tbs rebels, asking to have the coatro Of
the Government placed in their hands. -
The Sons of Liberty will dictate the nomi-
nation at Chicago; the members of this
reasonable order will vote solid for the
nominee of that Convention, and if he shall
be successful will control his Alministra-
ton. In the event, then, ofthe election Of
a Chicago nominee to the Presidency, what
would this Government be worth2 How
long would it be before the people Of the
accepting the rule OF JEFF. Davis, or of6ght
ing for liberty on their own soil? l..
Are tho people prepared for the issue
which is thus soon to be forced upon them2
Arc they ready for the momentous question
which will in November be decided at the
ballOt-box2 ".r
II is fortunate that the startling develop
ments which are now being made, havo been
brought about at this time. for there was
danger that the.people might be so deluded
by the false pretenses OF the Democratic
leaders, AZ to elect the nominee of the Chi
oago Convention, and thus vote away all
that is dear to true Americans, and ali that
| is worth saying Of our liberties ,s' s
Man,,.sastly now, we have no strength to
spare. Whe. her pleased or disploased with
The course of ths Administration, We can.
not, without risking the life Of the nation,
stop, ut this tremendous crisis, to discuss
minor questions The choice iyr President
is reduced to the candidate Of the Sens OF
Liberty and Mr.. Lincoln. If the former
should be elected, il is only necessary to re-
fer to the reasonable oaths OF tho order TO
see what is to be expected, Mr.. Lincoln,
on the other hand. has been tried. Perfect,
he is not. Faults he has many; but these
do not proceed from the heart. To the
maintaipance Of the Government, he is GER
tain to devote all his energies. To the sup.
preston, OF the rebellion, and the restora-
ion OF the Union. all the efforts Of his Ad.
ministration will be directed. With him,
then, We shall have no recognition of the
Independence Of the Southern Confaderacy;
no submission to the rule Of rebel leaders;
no humiliating surrender Of our liberties; or
OF the principles necessary to secure stable
Government. otir M -, afo,, tll|
Shoulder to shoulder, then, let the patri-
otto people rally once again around the old
fag, and hand jeined IN hand, resolve. in
this tremendous political crisis, to stand by
the rulers who are true to the cause fol
which our friends, our brothers and ooun-
trymen, have so freely poured out their
blood. GAG. RaIr1 % uf