Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1865-04-06
r. The King Of Northern Cor

i
perheads, c. L. vailandigham has
had an opportunity to testify in favor
Of the Chicago, Conspirators now on
trial at Cincinnati. The illustrious
"exile'. seems to have lost all his
pinck and courage. He "roars as
gently as a sucking dove" and
with lamb like innocence seems to
know little, of the knowledge of the
order, and to have done less. A most
remarkable change ''has come Ger
the spirit, of his dream" and the
supreme commander oil the Sons of
Liberty may be ranked with that
class of rebels that the Southern pa.
pers term "cowed." We make the
following extract from his testimony:
Judge BARLEY examining, Mr. yallAndig.
ham stated:
reside in Dayton, and am now practising
law. was q member Of the Sons Of Liberty.
1t was in Windsor, @. W., in the month of
February, 1864, that this. my first connection
with any secret political organization. took
place Mr. Green and DR.. Barrett Of whom
mention has been made, in the testimony.
They were on their way TO New York to at
tend the meeting of the Supreme Council Of
what was, as ] understood, the American
Knights. They stated there vere to be some
material changes, and desired should become
the chief officer OF it. Ny answer was. that l
bod nm larafp.n.l thor. arah
tom that had always declined having any
connection with II, because ! apprehended
that it might have some connection with the
Southern government, or place its members
under some obligation with reference to that
Government, inconsistent with the allegiance
of citizen of the United States. and that |
would belong to none that directly or Indi-
rectly looked to any sort Of connection with
those who were in arms against the Federal
authority. / expressed nay conviction that
whereas had always opposed secret political
organizations, as a member OF the Democratic
party, the time had come when they were
useful and necessary, provided they were kept
legitimate Assurance was given me by those
gentlemen that there was nothing of the kind
aplreh .nded in that Order; that a new ar
rangement o, the organization was to be made,
and that any Objectionable features could be
.OONlAASuf tual IL NhS Oull liNilllCoi kotANa-
ton, having reference to affairs in the States
that adhere to the Union, and recognized the
Federal Government and its authority. ac-
cOrdingly consented, and investigated the
principles. ceremonies, and obligations Of the
Order. No part of any Of them was read in
full. but pamphlets were len with me. This
was the extent to which ! was a member Of
that Order.
The witness then stated the facts connect
ed with the change of the American Knights
to the Sons Of Liberty, and said: | was in
formed that the ritual and form Of expression,
at least of the principles, had been changeci
and also some part of the obligation; that
had been chosen the chief officer of the Organi-
zation. He was never present at any meeting
of council, lodges, or other regular meetings
Of the Order. There was an informal meeting
Of members held in Windsor about the 18th of
April Mr.. McMasters was present; also
DOdd, Judd, and others. At that meeting the
entire business transactions related to the Chi
csgo Convention. and the condition of the
Democratic party. 1t was agreed that /
should write letter addressed to the Demo
Gratis of the United States defining what l
believed TO ne the duty Of the Democratic
party in the approaching Presidential election.
This was the only meeting of the Organiza-
tion at which was present, except an infor-
NAL meeting of members during the Chicago
Convention, at which presided as chairman,
he question before us being that Of platform
and nomination. The reason no letter ever
was written is the failure OF some one in not
sending me a letter that was to call mine out.
The object of the orders were. first political,
the advancement and success; OF the Democrat
ic party, especially with reference to the
Pr sidential election second, as an Offset to
the Loyal Union League, in the protection Of
Democrats against violence by mobs, and the
destruction of Democratic newspapers; and
third the ultimate object, depending entirely
Upon whether the contingency should ever
arise, of protecting the box, in case of an at
tempt to suppress elections, either State or
Presidential, by force of arms. If there Was
any other object, it was simply that Of indi
viduals, and in disobedience to the known
purposes OF the Order.