Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-10-29
"The Sons org.it,erty''-Thcir Trea-.
souable Object.

6OuaDtc OnIccts
The Copperhead papers, have treated with
incredulity the revelations of the reasonable
doings of the so called "Sons of Liberty"
in the western States, but there is no longer
room for doubt of their nefarious purposes
The evidence on the trial of Dodd, at Indi
anoplis, is Overwhelmingly conclusive. The
testimony of Felix s. stiger, a government
detective, proved conclusively that the pro-
gramme of the "Order" included a rebellion
in the West, in cooperation with an inva-
sion by the rebels The following is the
evidence of another government witness:
"William Clayton being sworn testified
that the organization first contemplated
bringing the Democratic party into power,
and was only understood to be political
organization afterward the officers inform
ed the members that it was military or
| ganizatior. The authorities who had con-
| troll of the government were said to be ty-
rannical, aud that they were trampling us
under foot, and that we should have to re-
sst by force of arms, and the members of
the order frequently drilled, and have been
drilling for year. About two-thiTds of
the order are armed, some with rifles and
Others with revolvers and shot guns. The
muster roll of our township was over 10e.
DIR. Mccartney, who is Grand Seigneur of
! the county, informed the members that
there were 10000 in the State of Illinois,
we'll armed, and that they could depend
j upon $4,000 in that State. There were
about 10000 in Missouri, 10000 being in
St. Louis and vicinity. The officers said
that in May and June there was to be an in
vasion at three points-into Ohio, to be led
by Morgan or Wheeler: into Indiana, to be
led by Longstreet, and into Missouri to be
led by Marmaduke or Price, and, in case
the rebels came into Illinois, the brethren OF
} the organization were to shake hands and
be friends. An assessment was made on
the lodges for the purchase of arms. Theil
lodges was assessed for two hundred ool
lars; it was collected by Colonel Barry, OF
Burrett, of st. Lonis. The arms were tc
come from Nassau 20 Canada, and were tC
be brought to the Canada line by the Con
; federate authorities, but the Order was to
pay the cost of transportation from Nassau
to the Canada line. 1t was understood il
= the Order that the signal for the uprising
would be given by the supreme command
er, G. L. Vallandigham. Next to him il
command was Robert Holloway of Missouri
There were lieutenants and captains or coils
in the Order, and major general for eaci
Q Congressional district The penalty fol
, divuging the secrets Of the Order wa
, death. Since the exposures of the Order il
st. Louis. and especially in this case, tht
e Order was disposed to be quiet, and do bu
8 little. The present invasion Of Missouri wa
, made known to the Order in this localit,
. by one of the Quantrell's men, who sale
Price would be in Missouri by Oct. anC
e stay there until after the election, and a
c much longer as he could. The Order il
, Illinois made no effect to assist if he cam
in. The late exposures had stopped thei
; calculations. Their temples met but hat
e quiet drilling.
s Wesley 7Toutr, witness for the govern
E ment testified that the organization ofwhicl
he was member, contemplated simulta
neous attack on Indianapolis, Springfield
: ILL.,, and St. Louis. Members of the orde
; who were fearful of being shot or hung q
: traitors, If captured, were assured that tn
government would be notified that the
must be treated as prisoners of war, or JEFF
c Davis would retaliate.
t Since this and other evidence was give
in, Dodd, who was on trial, has escaped
t thus furnishing conclusive evidence of hi
: guilt. Brig. Gen. Darlington, in an appea
= to the people Of Indiana urges them to pu
down this damnable conspiracy. Referring
to the escape of Dodd, he says
t "I'he exposure of the Sons of Liberty la
. been made. Every word is true. Harriso
( II. Dodd, grand commander of Indiana, ha
been on trial. The proof was overwhelm
= ing. Dodd was released from the miitar
prison upon his parole of honor not to al
b. tempt to escape, and was granted quarter
r in the United States Court building. Lat
at night he escaped from the third story b.
a rope. One man was only with him. Tha
man was Joseph j. Bingham. lnnocen
, men do not do SO. The act contesse
} guilt"
Dodd's counsel publish q statement un
+ Ger their own signature, denying any com
: plicity in his escape.