, 1864-08-12
THE WASHINGTON STATESMAN
FRIDAY EVENING. AUGUST l2, 1864.
The Anne, ican Knights.


Since the transmission of the great sensation
article from the st. Louis Democrat in regard to
the American Knights, the telegraph has failed
to give any further information in regard to
the reasonable doings of that formidable organ
ization; and we apprehend it will continue to
fail to do so until, perhaps, about the time of
the Presidential election. Then it can be re-
yamped and made to do good work among the
credulous as an electioneering story But the
trainers of the thing could improve it by not
mixing war and peace men in the same category.
1t seems to us that in case of the revolution
they are made to appear to be getting up, the
elements would not work well, with one party
fighting against the southern rebellion and the
other for Northwest Confederacy The "key
hole" is too large to prevent inspection from
prying eyes" We make these suggestions for
the benefit of the party in future, and for the
credit of the sensationists.
The whole story in regard to the great con-
spiracy bore the impress of falsty upon its
face. But the best evidence of the untruthful-
ness of any such conspiracy as reported,
is the fact that Vallandigh gham-said to be the
leader of the conspirators-in kis speech at
Hamilton, Ohio, on his return from Canada,
denied that he had any knowledge of any con-
spiracy or that he was himself connected with
such an organization. In that speech (Which
we find given in full in an Oregon exchange pa
per- he said
"Upon another subject allow me here word
A f,,1 dal1 "A do
secret, oath-bound combination among the
friends of the Administration, known as the
"Loyal Union League" exists in every State
Yet the very men who control it charge persist
emily upon the members of the Democratic party
that they have rganized-especally in the
Northwest-the "Order of the Knights of the
Golden Circle or some other secret society,
reasonable or dsloyal in its character, atfilia-
tion with the South, and for armed resistance to
the authorities of the Federal and State Govern
ments
Whether any such ever existed, l do not
know but the charge that organizations of
that sort, or having any such purpose, do now
exist among members of that party in Ohio, or
the non-slaveholding States, is totally and posi-
lively false. That lawful political party assO-
Citations have been established, having their
object the organization and strengthening of
the Democratic party and its success in the
coming Presidential election, and designed
counter movement to the so-called Union
Leagues, and therefore secret in their proceed
ings, is very probable; and however objection
able hitherto, and in ordinary times, | recog-
nize to the fullest extent not the lawfulness
only, but the necessity and propriety of such or
ganizatons-for "when bad men combine, good
men must associate" But they conspir-
acy against the Government, and their members
are not conspirators but patriots men not
leagued together for the overthrow of the Con-
stitution or the laws, or still less liberty, but
firmly united for the preservation of the great
objects. There is, indeed, a conspiracy" very
powerful, very ancient and l trust that before
long Imay add strongly consolidated also, upon
sound principles, and destined yet to be 'Etri-
umphant" pa conspiracy known as the Demo-
cratic party, the present object of which
is the overthrow of the Administration in No
vember next, not by force but through the
OtS60t-00I, W me electfen lnf a President u'ho
shall be true to his oath, to liberty and the
Constitution.
This is the sole conspiracy of which l know
anything, and am proud to be of the con-
spirators. If any other exist, looking to
lawful armed resistance to the Federal or State
authorities anywhere in the exercise of their
legal and constitutional rights l admonish all
persons concerned that the act is treason, and
the penalty, death But warn also the men
in power, that there is vast multitude, host
of whom they cannot number, bound together
by the strongest and hOliest ties to defend BY
whatever means the exigencies of the times
shall demand, their natural and constitutional
rights as freemen, at all hazards, and to the
last extremity"
Thus it will be seen that Vallandigham-th
reputed ring-leader, the head and front of the
"conspirators at the time he made his Ham
ilton speech, disavowed any knowledge of or
completely with any unlawful organization, hav-
ing for its object the overthrow of the Federal
Government Further, he admonished all per-
sons concerned, that unlawful resistance to the
Federal or State authorities would be treason,
and the penalty, death"