Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-10-20
The western COpperhead Sonspir.
aCy.

At the request Of Secretary Stanton,
a synopsis of the evidence of treasona-
BILE conspiracy against the government by
the peace democrats of the West has
been made and published by Judge Ad-
vocate General Holt. There is conclusive
proof that the "Sons of Liberty" is a
reasonable secret organization, armed
and differed, and sworn to implicit ODE
edience to its leaders. or the extent
and power of the order, Mr., Holt makes
alarming presentations He says:
The Temples or Lodges" of
of the order are numerously scat
tered through the states Of Indiana, Hi
nois, Ohio, Missouri and Kentucky
They are also officially reported as
established to a less extent, in Mich
igan and the other Western States, as
well as in New York and also in
Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Rhode
Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Mary
land, Delaware and Tennessee. Dodd,
the grand commander Of Indiana, in an
address to the members in that state Of
Feb. last, claims that at the next annual
meeting of the supreme council lin Feb
ruary 1869 every state in the Union will
be represented, and adds, this is the first
and only true national organization the
democratic and conservative men of the
country have ever attempted A pro-
vision made in the constitution Of tie
council for Il representation from the
territories shows, indeed that the widest
extension Of the order is contemplated.
1t has been asserted by delegates to the
supreme council of February last, that
the number was then represented to be
from 100000 to 100000 but Vallan-
digham, in his speech last summer, at
Dayton Ohio, placed is at 500, 900, which
is probably nearer the true total. The
number of its members in the several
states has been differently estimated in
the reports and statements of its officers.
Thus the force of the order in Indiana
is stated to be from 10000 to 125,000
in Illinois from 100000 to 100000; in
Ohio from $4,000 to 108,0G3s in Ken
lucky from 10000 to 10000 in Misseu-
ri, from 10000 to 100000 and in Michi-
gan and New York about 10000 each
| It's representation in the other states
above mentioned does not specifically
appear from the testimony; but allow
ing for every exaggeration in the figures
reported, they may be deemed to present
s.;clerably faithful view of what, at
least, is regarded by the order as its
true force in the states designated.
1t is to be noted that the order, or it's
counterpart, is probably much more
widely extended at tie tie South even than
at the North, and that large proper
| ton of the officers of the rebel army are
represented by most reliable witnesses
to be members. In Kentucky and Mis-
souri,, the order has not hesitated to adj
NIT as members, not only officers of that
army, but also considerable number OF
guerrillas, class who might be suppos-
ed to appreciate most readily its aims
and purposes. 1t is fully shown that as
lately as in July last several of these ruff
fans were initiated into the first degree
by DR.. Kalfus, in Kentucky. .a-
In March last, the entire armed force
of the order, capable of being modified
for effective service, was represented to
be 34O,00 men. The details, however
upon which this statement was based
are imperfectly set forth in the testimo
ny. and it is not known how far this
number may be exaggerated 1t is
abundantly shown, however, that the
order, by means of tax levied upon its
members, has accumulated considerable
funds for the purchase of arms and am.
munition, and these have been procured
in large quantities for its use. The wit
ness Clayton on the trial Of Dodd, est
mated that two thirds Of the order ar,
furnished with arms.
Mr.. Holt shows that the objects o
the order are aiding soldiers to desert
discouraging enlistments, resisting TIT
draft, circulating disloyal publications
giving intelligence to the enemy, furn
ishing them with arms and ammunition
co operating with their raids and inya
sions, destroying government property
prosecuting Union men, and in fact re
sorting to assassination in aid of thei
southern brethren. Mr.. Holt says tn
order has adopted new signs and pas
words since the exposure at Indianapo
lis, and that there is evidence that the,