Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-06-29
The Dodl JaniZaries ami the LOYAL
League.

To all exposure Ofthe vilany and treason con-
cocted by the various secret orders that have
sprung from ths Democratic organization since the
commencement of our great civil war, the ready
apology X nteposed by the guilty parties that the
bands OF Knights of the Golden Circle, American
knights, and Sons of Liberty. were merely dcfen.
sive associations, created for the purpose oldefend
inr members OF the Democratic party from dun
gers apnrehcnded from the Union League, which,
il is asserted, WAS an aried and secret organizI-
ton. u there was any truth in this assertion. it
is no apology; for The existence ot such political
society a. the Union League, supposins it to have
been what rebel apOlOgists charge, no UstIfica
ton fox treason, nor for grand conspiracy effect
the overthrow of the Government OF the United
States, the defeat of its armies, and the murder
and piIlase ofits loval citizens. But the pretense
Is utterly false.
lis fact beyond dispute, tina: during the year
1862 a large number OF secret associations were
formed in this State bv active members of
the democratic party, which were called in popu-
lar parIance, Knights of the Golden Circle, and
that they were active laborers for the success OF
the democratic ticket il. the of that year.
IL is well known, also, that these organizations
partOok of a military character; that they met
when practicable, in secluded places, with armed
scniinc!s stationed prevent the intrusion ofhose
who were not members; that in many parts OF the
State periodical plrades were publicly made by
ZatsOn known TO the laws, and all of whom were
Democrats; that soon alter the election Of Octo-
lc62, the pTojec. freely discussed in Demo
cratic crcles and publicly advocated Of destroying
the Governors constitutional authority over the
militia by legislative action; that the formation OF
a Northwestern COniederacy public talk
among Democratic partisans, and cautiously hint
Cd ut in their newspaper organs and party conven
tOns; tie idea of some sort OF reconstruction, and
destruction, that should "leave new England out in
the cOld,' being inGustriously propagated among
the Democracy; that ominous prophecies were ut
tered and threats made against the life OF Cover
nor Morton; thai further pros ecution OF the war
against the rebellion was openly opposed and de-
nounced by large portion of the Democrats of In
DIANA end that every possible effort was made by
the members of those affiliated societies
age descrtiOns, project deserters, and demoraliZe
the
These things naturally alarmed the Union men
OF the State, not only for the welfare of the Ma
ton, but for their personal safety, as well, and
when the action of the legislature which as
sembled in January, 1863, gave unmistakabe evil
dcnce that a majority ofits members were controll-
cd by the same spirit that governed the secret con-
caves of rebel sympathizers, the loyal men of the
State, for the first time, formed counter Organza-
iioHs for the puTpJse OF sustaining the Govern
ment and preventing the success of the effoI IS
then being made nv the secret association to which
We haye referreC 1Or OF the PUBIC enc
my, aud the disruption of the Republic.
The only secrecy connected with the Union
organizations, consisted in their passwords and
| other sigas of recognition for their members, and
the fact that none but members were admitted
to their meetings; their existence, however, was
speedily known, and no attempt was made to con-
ccal it, and meetings were frequently announced
through the public press; while studous secrecy
was observed BY the potters called Knights Of the
ircla and tba fact hat Oroa
tions existed was persistently denied. That the
Union ass ,ciations were formed none too soon, is
sufficiently demonstrated by the revolutionary
duct of the Legislature Of 1862 and the subse-
quent political history of the State. They adopt
ed the name Of the Loyal League" and to the pa
triotism fthe members OF that organization we
believe the country largely indebted for the proud
position il now occupies. ~r.,rr .rr..-
The assailants Of the Loyal League hate it, be-
cause it was an obstacle to the Of domestic
traitors and because it at all times true to the
Administration established by the people. They
affect to see no points of difference between pat
iotic association for the support of the country in
time of public danger, and combination OF trait
ors 10 aid the armed enemies nf the country; but
to men not stepped in hatred and hostility to the
Government which protects them, and TO which
they owe allegiance, the contrast is plain enough.
The several designations used by the allies oil
the rebels, were changed as fast as their names,
signals and rituals were exposed; but the
X. G. C-'s and O.. A. C.'s and o. s. BIS were
one and the same traitorous society which existed
and had attained influence and power which
threatened the existence of the State, before the
Loyal League was thought Of.
The first was an enemy to the Government OF the
United States, aud friend of the rebels in arms;
the other was friend and supporter Of the Gov
ernmcnt and its armies, and an enemy of rebels
| The first discouraged volunteering in the army,
and denounced the efforts of the authorities fill
the ranks by conscription; the latter encouraged