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

The Commission assembled at IL clock.
There was an immense attendance in the
Court, the number exceeding that of any
day since the commencement of the session
There were also in attendance large num-
ber of ladies. The record of Tuesday was
read and approved The first witness called
was
HON. c. l.. wALLANDIGHAM.
G. i. Nallandigham, witness for the ac-
cused, was then introduced, and being duly
sworn by the Judge Advocate, testified as
follows:
Question by the Accuscd-State your
name, place of residence and occupation.
Answer. G. l.. Nallandigham reside
in Dayton, Ohio, and am now practicing
law.
O. Were you member of the Associa-
ton knows as the Sons Of Liberty?
A. Twas.
q. State what you were informed when
you were initiated into the order, and the
circumstances under which you were init
atcd
A. 1t was in Windsor, Canada West,
opposite the city of Detroit, in the month
Of February, 1864, and the first connection
had with any secret political organization.
About the middle of the month, | think,
Mr. Green, who has been witness here,
and DIR. Barrett, whose name has been
mentioned, came to Windsor. L knew Mr.
Green by reputation | do not know that |
had ard Of DR.. Barrett, but after little
exp ,ation, | knew who he was. After
discussing some political questions. they de-
tailed their business, saying that they were
on their way to New York to attend the
~ th pf hot
was, as | understood, the Order of American
Knights; that some material changes were
to be made in it, or something to be done
in connection with it, They said that it
numbered many persons, and they desired
that would become the chief officer of it,
My answer was, that had understood there
was some such organization, perhaps known
by that name in existence year or more !;
that never heard Of it previous to the fall
of 1862 that | had always declined having
any connection with it because | apprehend-
ed that it might have some connection with
the Southern Government, orplace members
OF it under some sort of obligation with refer
ence to that government that it was incon-
sistent with the oath of allegiance Of a cti-
zen of the United States and that would
belong to none, directly or indirectly, look
ing to any sort of connection with those who
were in arms against the Federal authorities
| went on then to express my convictions as
to secret political organizations that cir
cumstances had altered cases, and whereas
had always hitherto opposed them as a
member of the Democratic party, but that
believed the time had come when they were
useful and necessary, provided they were
kept legitimate and lawful. The assurance
was given by these gentlemen that there was
nothing of the kind had apprehended; at
all events, there was to be change made,
or new arrangement in the organization,
and that all elections ofthat kind, fany ex-
all they proposed was a simple and informal
communication of the ritual, principles and
obligations With reference to the purpo-
ses of which l have spoken, they assured
me that it was only a political organization,
having reference to affairs in the States that
had adhered to the Union, and recognized
the Federal Government and its authorities.
| accordingly consented, and informally, by
reading in part, and showing in part, with
out any attempt at ceremony, the ritual,
principles and obligation were made known
to ME. No part of any of them was read in
full to me, but the books and pamphlets
were left with me for examination. The
principal objects with reference to which
made inquiry, as stated there, were declared
to be of a political character, and for the
defense of members of the Democratic party.
Those were the circumstances, and that
was the extent to which was member of
the proposed organization.
q. How soon after your initiation was
the Order of American Knights changed ?
| A. 1t was about the 10th or 18th of
February that these gentlemen came to
Canada. The meeting, | understood, was
held on the 22d. How long it sat l do not
know. | was informed afterward that it had
held its session; that the name had been
changed because the idea ofKnighthood was
somewhat Objectionable, and that the ritual
and the form Of expression, at least of the
principles and tone of the obligations, were
changed, ! was further informed that |
had been chosen chief officer Of the Organi.
cation. This was probably about the lst OF
March, 1864, some eight or ten days after
time came Mr.. II. ii. Dodd, ofIndianapols
and DR. Massey, who, | understood, had
been delegates to the meeting in New York.
They informed me of what had been done
that had been chosen chief officer. They
desired to know if would accept, and also
to take the oath of the office. learned
from them at length what had been done
the change in the name and modification oi
the retual and obligations, and was informed
that a constitution had been agreed upon,
or had been ordered to be drawn up. My
recollection is that it was not then reduced
to writing at all events, they did not have
| it, and never saw it until yesterday at your
(Judge Bartleys house. In the printed
volume of the report of trials at indianapolis,
/ first learned what were the duties Of the