The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-02-09
Trial OF the Chicago ConspIrators In
Cincinnati

exceedingly voluminous, and highly
interesting and important develop
ment$ havo been drawn out. Among
these are, the particulars of the initia-
ton of Vallandigham as member Of
the order of the Sons Of Liberty; the
distribution of heavy amounts Of Rebel
funds among sympathisers in the North
TO further the cause of the rebellion
the attendance of Rebels at the Chi
cago Democratic Convcntion-the pur'
chase of arms to be used in freeing
Rebel prisoners-aud an infnity of
combined Rebel and Copporhead dev-
iltry throughout the North.
We append the principal portion of
the testimony of one of the most prom
incnt officials of the reasonable Or
der, which was taken on the Sd inst.
Amos Green, witness for the Gov
crnment, testified as follows:
l havo resided for tho last three
years in Paris, Edgar County, Illinois;
am a farmer; joined the organiza-
ton OF the Order of ofAmerican Knights
in Springfield, Illinois: l was the pre-
siding officer in that city. from the
spring of 1869 to March, 1864, wnder
the n&mo of Grand Commander; S.
Corning Judd succeeded me in that
office; took the three subordinate de-
grees OF the Order; Iattended the Coun-
Gil Of the Order, held in tho fall of
1868, also that in New York on the
23d Of February, and four or five sue
cec1ing days; in going to Now York l
met DR.. Barrett of Missouri, on the
train, who was attending the same
meeting; on our way, when at Detroit,
wo passed over to Windsor, c. w.,
twice, with view to see Mr.. Vallan-
digham; | communicated to Mr.. Val
landigham the character and nature
of the Order, and he consented to be-
come q member Of it; / inductcd him
into all the degcees of the Order ex-
cept that Of Supreme Council degree;
it is due 10 Mr., Valandigham to state
that / represented to him that the Or
der was strictly constitutional and 10y
al. | used the ritual of tho Order of
\ American Knights in Mr.. Vallandig-
; ham initiation. He was taken thro'
all the degrees in one day
At tho time | inductcd Mr.. Vallandig-
ham into the Order, was Grand Com
mandcr OF the State of Illinois. ad.
minstcrcd to him the usual oaths
with some omiss ons in the esccond and
third degrees; our object being to con
dense the routine of Initiation as much
as possible. but we went through the
} material portions of it. My object in
initiating Mr.. Valandigham was that
| might introduce his name to the Su.
prcme Council, at Now York, for the
Office OF Supreme Commander of the
States, which was done At that coun
ell the Order OF American Knights
was abolished, and new order called
, n States Rights Association or Order
of Sons OF Liberty, was adopted ir
its place. To wha! extent this change
was adopted throughout the lodges O.
the States, do not know, as shortly
, after the 22d of February, | attended
but one regular council meeting til
the Chicago Convention Atthe meet
ing in New York, committee was ap
pointed to convey to Mr.. Vallandlg
ham his appointment to the Office o
Supreme Commander of tho States, anC
to induct him into the Supreme Coun
Gil degree.
In September, 1864, shortly aftcr
the Chicago Convention, being dissat
isfed with its action, General Single
ton, Mr.. Holloway and myself: conclu
, dcd to visit Washington, to see The
President. 1t was arranged that
should pass through Toronto, and have
an interview with the Confederate
Com missioners, to ascertain thei
, views upon reconstruction, with re
| spect 10 the unity Of the st, ties. Isav
S Col. Jacob Thompson upon tho subject
f In the course Of conversation he Incl
! dcntally remarked that Dodd IN Mr.
+ Walker Of Indianapolis, had obtained
h money ofhim for the purchase ofarm
| Ny Inference was, that these arms
, were intended to be used Tor the re
). lease Of Confederate prisoners confined
= by the United States Government a
indianapolis, but no particular plac
was mentioned. | think tho sum 0
n seventy five thousand dollars was men
i toned in the course Of conversation
t as having been furnished to Indiana
, | do not know positively where thi
= money came from. Colonel Thomp
son did not tell me. but from wha
II Colonel Barrett told me, supposed i
:. came from funds in the control Of tn
Commissioners in Canada. ColonC
Barrett belongs 10 the Sons of Libcr
ty. / have been acquainted with hin
Tor several years. saw him at tn
!, Chicago Convention in August last
0 | had q conversation with him re
spccting the money furnished by th
Confederate authorities, and he state'
that he had been in con ultation wit
= Mr. Dodd, some time in July, and will
:. several others in Chicago, and atte
h consulting, u programme had been ar
ranged Tor the release of the robe
prisoners, lie also stated that mean
n would be provided for that purpose