Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1864-05-14
An important Secret Circular.
HrxTsvnLr, ALA, April 10, 1864.

As the war progresses. evidences aecnmB-
late Of an intention to bring about revolt
OF the slave States, under whatever circum.
stances might arise. No matter what dis
position the then incoming Administration
mtght exhibit towards the injurious nj
nerity. No matter what sdiselaimers and
oyertures' might be made TO soofkah CON
ciiiate the South, there is every evidence
that the leaders prepared in season to coun-
tsFact Us effect and plunge the country into
war. s- = -
i have to-day come Ia possession Of Sc
cret circular, issaed at Charleston. FIVE
months before the firing on Sumter. The
document Is genuine. 1t Is signed BY ane
Of the wealthiest and ablest lawyers of South
Carolina, and the cops which I enclose to
the IribgHe was addressed 10 one Of the
most prominent and influential citizens of
AIabama-a Huntsville rebel whom Ger.
Logan ordered south ofNour lines.
IL should be borne in mind that this. cir
eRlar was issued before the meeting OF the
Congress OF lS61-2-before the intrDduc-
ton OF the Crittenden resolutiOns-before
the Peace Congress, Yet now, after nearly
three years of unparalleled war. vou ind
incompetent officers and unworthy citizens
proposing these same disclaimers aadover-
lures"
The italics in the following copy of the
circular are mine:
ExrerTTvK cHASGBER, TIE SEQ AssocrArrox.~
Charleston. l9th November isse !
In September last, several gentlemen or
Charleston, met 10 confer in reference To the
position of the South in ths event OF the
accession OF Mr. Lincoln and the RepubIi-
can party 70 power. This informal meet
ing was the origin Of the organization
known IN this community as SThe 1880 As
soefatian. r - ss- ta su4
The objects Of the Association arg 80
lst To conduct correspondence with
leading men in the South, and, hy.an inter
change OF Information and views prepare
tho slave States 10 meet the Impending eri-
sis. s4ss s@s >E
I'd. To prepare. print and distribute in
the slave States, tracts, pamphlets, &e.,,de-
signed 70 awaken them 70 conviction OF
heir danger aRdfo urgs The necessity at
resisting Northern and Federal aggression
3D. Te Inquire iato the sdeieaseS of the
State and 20 collect and arTgnge iAfarma~
Ion which may aid the Legislature 70 estab-
ish promptly, an effective military organi-
fatiAne $50 E5a
: 10 eject theseohiects, brief and ssuple
Constitution wss adopsed. creating Presi-
lent. q Secretary, and Treasurer. and Nd
Executive Committee, specially charged
With conducting the business Of the Asso-
siasioa ie6,0se pamphlets have beei, pub
ished, and demands s6r further suppliesare
'seeived from every quarter. y The Assoeia-
Jon Is now passing several OF them through
j second and third edition.
Z The Conventions in several Of the South
IN Slates viii soon be elected TAe EortA
3 prepared - soosAe and eaacifiats TIE SoutA
y dlsctainsEs cad sreFAres TAe szcceSs Of
has policy costd As disaSsraks to tAe eaASe Of
SeaaAera laiea aad EatPsadenes, AID Q IS
.esesearN q resist aad &efeat H. Tke A&soci-
ltlgn y prspar6g pssspkiets rits tAn special
'efag Funds aFv necessary 70 enable it 70
Iet 9Fohptly ~TAe 1896 AssOeiasioa9s ia
ahelfhg ior the South, and mks your SD.
ani. very respectfully, -
Tour ebedienf servant 8 80
RanERr n GoraDEN, ~
Ghsirmaa es Ne Exssative oOmmlstee
- sxs
4 Reamss leeglEs esliEcF fhhs sxnesss -ssas