Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-08-05
The Conspiracy for the Formation Of North-
western Confederacy.


ST. Ioets. .fnly 2s.-The Democrat publishes a
long account Of the conspiracy for the erection ofthe
NorthwesterrS. Confeeeracy referred to few days
since The Srganzation engaged IN this conspiracy
Is knoHn as the Order of American Knights, and ITS
objects are to ebarrass the Government III thecon-
duct Of the war, ard overthrow the Government II
necessary for the supremacy OF the order LIS pro-
fessiens and purposes are different IN different States
Tt procIaims a war policy in. New ork, Pennsyiya-
mia, New Jersey aud other Eastern States, while in
the Vest tits for peaee. The order Is southern
being erectedcn the ruins Of the knights
of The Golden Circle and General Stirling Price IS
supreme commander. Nalandgham while IN hlch-
fnond was made supreme commander otthe Northern
section of the order; and conspiracy was entered
into between him and the Rebel authorities to divide
the East and West and then aid the Southern rebel
lion. Vailaudiaham's tme in Canada was prnclpal-
" spent in furthering this scheme. lie bad con-
ference with some Of the leading spirits IN the North
soon after his arrival in Canad and arranged for the
establishment Of the order throughout the loyal
States.
The names Of all who visited him ut the Clifton
House are known to the Government, among them
YIN. b. Reed Of Philadelphia; Pendeton and Pugh,
of Ohio Kribben, of ST. Louis Storey and Merrick,
of Chicago are published. The results ot this con-
ference are also known to the Government
About the f!rst 81 January Nallandigham issued an
address to the loyal States which he calls upon
the members to renew their VOWS lie says thehme
is fast approaching which viii test their sineerllS
rights of the States and that President Lincoln Is
usurper A meeting of the grand commanders OF
the different States was held in. New ERIK on the
22d of February, for the purpose Of organizing an
outbreak on the 10th of March, the day liked tor the
draft but no definite plan was resolved on. he
names of these eonsPirators are also known The
same commanders had conversation with the SUI
preme commander at Windsor, Canada, early in
April for general consultation. Among those In
attendance were MeMaster New York; fhas. L..
Hunt St Louis Lafayette Deyilin, Indiana. The
programme adopted at these meetings that al
landigham shoSld represent his district N Ohio in
the Democratic National Convention, and there pro-
claim the doctrine of theirorder, VIZ ito pronounce
the existing administration of the Government =
power usarped, which the people had rightto expel
by force if necessary fact, naugurate rebellion IN
the North. in which hewas to be supported by the
order Of each grand commander and was TO have al
armed body guard the Convention for the defence
of Vallandigham. This, it was thought, would pre-
cpitate the people OF the free States into armed
hict and would be the signal for the members of th
order to unite against lawful authorities, Kill cap
ture the civland military authorities, seize asenas
arms, and public property of all kinds, and proclaim
the Government overthrewn.
There is most convincing evidenc of the truthful
ness of this statement. The reason of Falandgnam
sudden return to Ohio the fear of being deeate'
as a delegate to Chicago, and it was by his presence
his election was secured. The numerical strength
of this order Is said to be considerable over half
million One hundred and fifty thousand are organ
lied. The order in New York is called Mcclellan
Minut Men. The grand commander in missour
is Chas l.. Hunt, nephew of j. Ii. Lucas. and man
years Belgian Consul; deputy grand commander
Chas. K. Dunn, city officer Of St. Louis A long lis
of the names of members of the order in diferen
States, together with full information conceruin
the whole scheme, is in the hands ofthe authorize
at Washington, and viii probably be given to tn
public IN shorttime. t