Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-04-13

was at least ambiguous and must not be re-
tanned, and would not consent to it because
it looked at least like an obligation calling
upon men to give aid and comfort to the
Southern Government Whether | was
right in the Interpretation | do not know.
Accordingly, that part of the oath from the
Order of the American Knights was stricken
out and omitted in the revised obligation -
The rest was merely form and ceremony. -
A great deal was stricken out which was mere
words, and which regarded as beneath the
dignity of men, but some portion of the
same sort, however, was retained There
was but one change or addition made to the
principles Of the order.
What are numbered the thirteen articles,
Ibelieve, in substance exist in the old organi-
zation to which | never further belonged
than what | have detailed to the Court
They were revised by DR.. Massey, at my
rooms in Windsor. The particular form
and phraseology | do not recollect. but the
addition l made, and which will be found in
the correct copies, was the Kentucky and
Virginia Resolutions, constituting now the
lesson of the Inner Temple. Icut them ou,
Of an old volume of the Kentucky and Vir-
GINA Resolutions of '9S and 90. think il
was the second Virginia. and the first and
third Kentucky, but of that am not posi-
tive, but they were the Virginia resolutions
without any alterations, except local allu-
sion to the time they were passed, and the
State of Kentucky, in l79S, which were
omitted. as not declaration of principles.
That was all the change that was made
These gentlemen returned to their own
homes. One of them met afterward, the
other did not meet.
q. How long did you continue the Su.
preme Commander?
A. The election was for one year. The
circumstances in regard to it should be de.
tailed in connection with the Chicago Con
vention, more properly
u. Trace your connection with the order
from the time you were elected Supreme
Commander down to the Chicago COnven-
ton.
y. never was present at any meeting,
or any temple, council, lodge, or regular
meeting ot the organization from the begin
ming to this day. There was an informal
meeting ofthe members Of the organization
held in Windsor on or about the 18th of
April. Mr. McMaster was present there, Mr.
Dodd and MIR. Judd, also, and probably one
or two other gentlemen. At that meeting
the entire business transacted related to the
there with reference to the nominating of
the candidate. No one was agreed upon as
a candidate, of those who were in favor of
settling this controversy by negotiation, but
preparations were made to bring candidate
out before the public, and through the pa
perS, i'll advance Of the Convention. 1t was
agreed that should write letter, addressed
to the Democracy of the United States, de-
tining what believed to be the duty of the
Democratic party in the approaching Pres.
idential election.
This testimony was objected to, as having
no relevancy to the case III hand
There was nothing transpired in the meet
ing except what related to political affairs
it was the only meeting of the organization
at which | was ever present, except an in
formal meeting of members in Chicago dur
ing the Convention, where | was elected t.
preside. The question Of platform and can
didate for the Convention was discussed. =
The other meeting was held in the month
following.
@. State the objects of this order as you
learned them, and understood them as the
Supreme Commander.
A. The objects of this order were first
political; the advancement and success oil
the Democratic party, especially with refer,
ence to the Presidential election. The second
and to that extent an offset to the organi
zation known as the Loyal Union League.
Another object was the protection of Dem
ocrats against violence by mobs; the destroy
ing OF Democratic newspapers, and assaults
on members of the democratic party. The
other, and ultimate one, dependent entirely
upon whether the contingency ever rose,
was to protect the ballot-box in case of the
attempt to suppress State elections or the
election of President of the United States
by force of arms. Beyond that never knew
or heard Of any other purpose Of the order
as an organization, nor had any connec
ton with it as such Ifthere was any other
it was the individuals themselves only thai
were concerned in disobedience to the known
and understood purposes of the order
q. Had this order any such purposes a.
affordng aid and assistance to the Confed
crate army, or the rebellion ofthe Southern
States?
A. Under no circumstances whatever
On the contrary, | had refused to join 6
preceding order because ofa suspicion in my
mind that by some possibility something o.
that kind might be introduced.
@. Was the release of the Confederate
prisoners of war one of the objects contem,
plated by this order?
A. 1t never was. never heard that
subject alluded to at any meeting ian inform
al one being the only one was ever present
at) of the organization, nor by any member
of that organization to me.
@. When did you first learn of the ex
istence of any such purpose as that from
persons belonging to the order?
A. Never until read of the arrest O.
Harrison, at indianapolis, and saw, perhaps
a month or so later, the charges and speciti
cations by the Judge Advocate. That wa
the first knowledge that ever had of an!
such purposes being entertained by an!
member, and never by the order asan organi
zation.
@. At what time was that arrest made
A. | think it was in the month of August
1864, and prior to the Chicago Convention
which Convention assembled on the 29th O
August. | returned home on the 18th O
June, 1864.
G. Had you any knowledge, Mr.. Val
landigham, or was any information coinmu
nicated to this order in reference to the
sending of money from Canada to Mr. Dodd
or in reference to the purchase Of arms fol
the order at Indianapolis?
A. No, sir. never heard one word il
reference to the use of money obtained fron
Canada or any other quarter in that connec
ton, until l saw the development at thi
trial. | never had either knowledge, init
nation or suspicion that Mr.. Dodd, Mr.
III. IL L