Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-08-26
4na ALLEGED Conspiracy.

Revelations Concern rning Plot to Overthrow
the GOFeTnment--The knights of the Gold
en- Circle Transformed Into the Order of
American Knights Their Forms of Initia-
tions Oaths aud Purposes.
FrOu tie ST. Lopis Deaoerat, JaEy q.
In April May and june a number of pTomi-
rent citizens of St Ionis and other parts of Mis-
souri,, were arrested by order Of Provost Marshal
Sanderson, but upon what charge did not trans
piye. The matter excited considerable comment
and inquiry, which abated as some were released
with assurances that the suspicious against them
proved grouneless, while others we're set free on
bond or retained In custody for futureexa1ninaton
Lattexy rlIln0rs have been rife that there was
much more n the occasion Of these arrests taan
had been imagined that, IN fact, cunnihgl'f con
esiied sat dangeE Ias eonspracy bad at iesgsh
been found 70 exist the tuil EatgTe and extent OF
which the authorities had many difficulties IN de-
termining. The matter weeks ago became a topic
Of conversation In the better informed circles IN
st. Louis, but evident reasons forbade public ref
erenee TO the subject Within the last week the
previously indefinite reports have taken shape,
and though no authentic disclosures have been
made it IS now no secret as 10 what substantially,
the suspected organization Is, nor who Is In full
possession OF the proofs. The St. Louis CORES
pondent Of The Chicago Tribune, writing briefly
on the I'D inst, first gives pGbheIty 10 the prnci
pal points
1t nov appears that the arrests referred to,
worthy information OF the existence OF an exten-
sive secret organization contemplating distinct
and elective movement 20 cooperate with the
armed Rebels IN the overthrow Of the Govern
ment. The clue 1as gained by Provost-Marshal-
General SandeTscn, as early as last March, and
mas since engaged ms LahGrious and careful atten-
ton, producing an Investigation in which volurn-
NOUS testimony has been taken, and numerous
additional arrests have been made, both in this
city ard elsewhere
OF the citizens arrested, q number were refused
parole and bound and continued imprisoned
Ii now leaks out that those men have been found
TO be Influential officers of an extensive ass0eia-
ticr cooperating with = similar one in Rebeldom
looking - the establishment Of a NOrth-W estern
C0niederacy I and ircluding as a part Of the
Programme the i0Egah4e election Of Mr. Lincoln
from the executive BIlcei The details of this
matter might relieve the statement Of any ImpTob-
ability, arising from the apparent h9pelessneSs for
good reasons tkey are not az presence permitted
to be published EoA. San2erson has, we under
stand, unrayelsd the plot net without the expen-
diture 0I tauch time and patience, as well as la
Dor, i being necessary with extreme eaatiOn to
gain the introduction Of Trustworthy UniOnists
into the councils Of the suspected parties. The
testimony collected emb0GyIng the reports Of his
agents and proceedings Of the secret Lodges
or 1enplss cover, It Is said, foil rearn Of
foolseap paper, has been transmitted, in report
to Gen. Rosecrana, to the authorities At Wash
ington.
The projects Of these eonspirators In this De
partment have Of course been s3heade5 of, and
it Is to be hoped that they viii be disposed of in
ike summary manner elsewhere
The eTidsnce Is said to impliczte many public
men, and proves the organization formidable and
dangerous, If undiscovered One Of the arrested
parties yaiRly offered bond Of $500, 900 for his
release.
The gathered facts warrant the belief that the
following may be relied upon as tolerable cor
rect exposition Of conspiracy whose numbers
REASONABLE purposes and effective organization.
are certainly calculated TO startle the loyal people
Of this country, and 70 excite gave apprehensions
Of fresh peril