Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-08-18

lowed, for the purpose of inAictine the pen.
atty and taking bis lifef
A-No, sir do not VI
.Q.-Whst is the general view entertain
ed by members az to the extent of the bind
ing obligation Of the oaths they take as
members are such oaths regarded as par
amount in their obligation upon them to
those taken upon the witness stand before
a Civil or Military Tribunal7
A.-The general view among them is, that
the oaths they take as members are para
mount in their obligation to any which they
may be called upon to take, whether il be in
Courts of Justice, before Military Tribunals,
or in any other proceedings.
| Q.--With the knowledge you have then
Of the character Of the Order, how would
you regard, if placed as q Juror 10 the fury
bog on a trial for murder, the testimony of
witness who was . member Of the Order,
| it the prisoner arraignod was also known TO
you to be member of it7
Alt would hava no influence at alli
Q.--Can you state to me the number of
Temples in ST. Louis?
Al cannot. l believe there are only
two OF tho Fist Degree, and two OF the Sec
ond and Third Degrees, and Grand Ceun-
Gill 'l 80 - t'-
Q.-Have you any knowledge Of the with
drawal Of Mr.. Hunt from the Order before
his arrest7 l'T7 '-'''-
A.--Of my own knowledge, no. L have
heard, while in prison, that he resigned in
expectation Of being arrested
! Q,--Have you any knowledge on that sub.
ject in regard to Mr.. Dunn
! Awhile in prison, Charles f. Dunn
and myself were 10 consultation as - what
course it would be best to pursue. He sug
gestea designations, if it could be managed.
told him to let the designations go to the
devil, and come right down on the ritual be-
fore the Provost Marshal By this maent
fuil acknowledgment Of our relations to
the Order. ..
Q.-Have you any recollection Of ever
having heard among the members of the
Order, that there was any particular steam
boat on the river upon which it would be
safe to ship contraband goods or to travel
on2
A.-Yes, sir.
.Q.-Is or is it not the universally accept.
ed theory of the members Of the Order in
substance this: That the chosen officers of
J the Federal Government have usurped au-
thority, and that it is not only an inherent
J right but an imperative duty, for all who
J think as the members do, to resist those
, Federal functionaries, and it need be, expel
them from power ny force2
: A.-That is my understanding.
q. lis it not distinctly claimed by the
members of this order, and so an
, neunced in the ritual, that such resistance
is not revolution, but solely the assertion Of
: right? =
A.--Yes, sir, believe it is
Q.-l then understand that the principles
of this Order, as held by the members there
of, are such that if one of the members
should assassinate DIR. Lincoln because of
his alleged usurpation of power, such mem
ber's conduct would be justified by the en-.
} tire Order, and that it would be the sworn
duty OF all to keep secret the act, and save
him from being brought to trial and punish
ment for it2
A.-Yes, sir.
Q.-Is the same principle recognized by
them az applicable to officers acting under
J the authority of the President and obeying
his orders, such as commanders of depart
ments, armies, &c. ?
Al think it is. Itincludcs all military
officers of the General Government.
Q.-ls the paper which | hold in my
hand, md marked "a" known to you2
Alt is, and has been in my possession
as Secretary Of the ID Degree.
} Q.-Is it what it purports to be, "The
Report of the Condition of the Richard
. Montgomery Temple ?"
A.-Yes, sir.
Q-Is the paper in my hands. marked
'B," known to you2 .
Alt is, and is in my handwriting
, Q.--Is this the memorandum of q meet
ing Of Temple held March IA, 1864?
Alt is the memorandum of the pro.
ceedings of a meeting of the I'd Degree, ta-
ken down by myself.
.Q:-Do you recognize the paper in my
hand marked "CW
A.-Yes, sir
Q,--Is this the memorandum of the pro.
ceednngs Of the Temple. held March Oath,
lS642
A.--Yes, sir and in my own handwritingl
OIL observe that there was commit
tee appointed To raise funds for the purpose
OF buying arms and ammunition for said
Order2
Al have no knowledge that any COM
mittce was appointed, or funds raised for
such purpose
OIL notice also. that there is Vigi-
lance Committee to be appointed. What
was to be the duty of said committee.
Al do not know
Q.-I hold paper in my hand marked
} ID which suppose to be the proceedings
Of a meeting Of the Temple Of the Third
Degree
; Al recognize it as my own handwri.
ting, and a copy by me made from the orig.
inal which was in skeleton form
Q.-l hold another paper in my hands
marked "E," apparently subscription list
Of money raised for the benefit Of p. 9.
Wright, Supreme Commander American
Knights2
Ayes, siri
Q. Are the figures set opposite the names
the number of dollars raised for said pur-
poses2
a. Yes, sirl
Q. l hold in my hand another paper
marked "F." Will you explain its im port2
A. Yes, sir. 1t relates to one whom il
was alleged made an expose. or proposed to
do so.
Q. Mr.. Smith, have you, Of your own
free will and accord, from your own sense
of duty as q citizen, and without tho solci
lation or influence Of any ono, answered the
foregoing questions which have been pro-
pounded to you, in the manner you have2
A. | have.
q. Has this examination, at this timc