The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-10-28
Reasonable Secret Organizations in
the LOYAL States

Judge Advocate General HolI's report
upon the testimony gathered by him con
c,rnng the reasonable secret soc,eti
formed in the loyal states rs adjuncts to
the rebellion, is published in The New
York Evening Post. According TO this
report, this reasonable order embraces
so'ieies bearing various titles, such as
Mutual Protection Society, Circle OF Hon
or. Circle or knights OF the Mighty Hos,
Knights Of the Golden Circle, Corps d.
BcIglque, Southern League, Order Of
American Knights, Order Of the Sons OF
Liberty, Knights Of the Order OF the Sons
Of Liberty, Peace Organization. Star Or.
ganizallon, American Organization, Dem.
ocralic lnyircibie Club, Democratic Read.
ing Room. and Mcclellan INMATE Men.
The latter title is the one borne by a Sc.
cret political association in the State Of
New York, and other parts OF the North.
or II Judge Holt says, it would seem to
be branch o: the o. A. H., having sub.
stanliaIIy The same objects, to be accom-.
plished, however, by means expressly
suited 10 the locations in which il is es.
tablshed, for as the chief Secretary OF his
association, DR.. II. f. Stevens, stated in
June las, 10 q reliable witness, whose tesli-
mony has been furnished, those who rep.
resent the Mcclellan interest, are com.
PEELED to preach vigorous prosecution OF
The war in order to secure the popular
sentiment and allure votes. The McCIel.
Ian Minute Guard, as appears from a cir
cular issued by The chief Secretary, al
New York, is organized upon military
basis similar to that Of the order proper.
II ~ composed of companies, ono for each
election district, ten Of whom constitutes
brigade, with Brigadier General st its
head. The whole is placed under Com.
mander in.Chief. The first Supreme
Commander OF the order was 7. G..
Wright, editor of the New York .Necs.
who was last May sent to Fort Lafayette.
Vallandigham was his successor Robt.
Holloway, oil Illinois, was Lieut. General,
and acted in Vallandigham's stead during
the lalter's absence from this country
Col. Sanderson,i in his report on the prog.
ress OF the order, expresses the opinion
that the order was founded by Vallandig-
ham during his banishment, and upon
consultation at Richmond with jeff, Davis
and other prominent traitors, The order
in Indiana boasts that the ritual came di.
rect from Davis, and one of the witnesses
states positively that Davis is member,
Tho number belonging to the Crdor has
been vnrlously estimated at from 800 900 to
lOOO 600, But VaiIandigbam in bis Day
ton speech put 1t s4Q 0O0 which is proba
bly, nearest tho tola4sstrheso arc scattercd
q Tnl
Missouri and Now York. In March last the
entire armed force OF tho order capable Of
being mobilixsd for effective service. was
represented to bo 345 900 men Tho tostl
mony shows that arms have boon futnish ed
the membors. In Hon. h. w Voorhees,
Office were found lottors to Ex Senator
Wall, of New Jersey, IN regard to tho pur
chase of 20 900 Garribaidi rliios, TO be Tor
warded to tho West. Arms wore to be tur-
nishod tho order by way of Canada, and
paid tor by assessment upon the different
lodges. Much testimony was taken upon
this point, and tho report is full OF evidence
OF extensive operations IN this partcular.-
The ritual contains broad declarations OF
State rights. aud against the authority of
the Federal Government to coerce by arms
sovereign State, and argues that tho cx
ccutive officers Of Government NAV be OK.
pelled by forco of arms whom thoy refuse
to administer Government in accordance
with tho letter of the accepted Constiturion
The caths declare that u member defend
with arms the principles of tho order when.
ever directed by competent authority of the
order. II was admitted by one of the ordor
in Missouri that, on joining, no understood
the object to be aid and assistanco to the
Confederate Government. lIo adds that
nrtnr 10 In a..
Federal Government. and friendly to the
Confederate Government; IL was exclusive
ly made up OF dsIoyal persons, desirous OF
securing tho independence Of tho Confod
erato States, with tho Wow of restoring the
Union as it was. Otbor purposes of the
ordor are shown to bc,aidrng soldiers to dc
sort, destruction of Government property
destroying private property, and persecu
ting Union men, assassination and murder
and the establishment OF u Northern Con
federacy. .... ........