The daily mountaineer. (Dalles, Or.) 1861-1866, 1866-05-25
9ailp Monntaiacer,
TREASoNABLE ORGANIZATION IN
LINN COUNTY.
READ | READ REApI


The following letter, divulging the plans
and purposes of thetreasonable organization
which the Democrats maintained during the
war in Linn county, is published in the AL
sany Journal, of the 18th inst. The writer
is well known throughout the State, and has
reputation for honesty and veracity:
ALBANY, May 10th, 1865.
II is with deep feelings of duty that owe
to myself, my country, and my Col, that
pen these lines for publication. Ihave been
frequent inquired of to know The reason
why | left the so,called Democratic mar
and that all may know my rea ons, here
solemnly declare that left that party be-
.bause became convinced by proof nndeni-
able that its leaders were men WHO are in
favor of the South, and enemies to the Gov
ornment. They say this is not so. say
that iknow ii 10 be so. | have kept the means
: of my knowledge to my elf, but I can keep
it no longer; and th,ugh'it is heavy task,
feel it my lutv to let the world know the
facts shall state have been to hear rsev-
eral o. their can ii ates speak who profess
great love for their countrr, which is false.
was in one Of their secre, meeting. in N
H. CRANoR's and GEORGE r. Helms Office in
this town. | was foolish enough to be de-
eoyed into that meeting by men whom
Thought honest, and tri.pls of our Govern.
mem ; but | was sadly deceived They have
now brought out as a candidate for the Leg
islature, one of their =" officers who held
secret meeting to plan and plot against the
Goverumen'-G. Il. HELM an officer Of the
meeting that attend d. Other lead ng Dem
ocrats were there officiating. cannot say
certain what name the organization went by,
hut In l. hot tha ok; nF ,,,iJ
ization Il will here say that do not feel
bound by any oath that may have been given
when that oath would bind me to hold nv
pace aud let traitors destroy my country; I
have weighed we'll this matter,) was to de-
stroy our country for they did notnstruct me
so resist he draft, and i'll should be drafted
how to let their friend, of the rebel army know
| WAS their frien so that need not fear the EN-
or they me. To make me feel safe and be-
lieve that the South could never be whipped
they said that the Northern armies were
composed of men who would betray their
country. They cited me to some battles
where whole regiments of Federal soldiers
had been taken prisoners by "a few rebels,
aud said it was done by the Northern men
giving the rebels secret sign, which they
showed me how to give. l have said the
object of this organization was to destroy
our cOui Try. is IL NOT truel Wueu LncSe
very men who now profess to love their coun-
try, were, during the war, here in Oregon,
holding secret meetings to learn men how to
betray their country What hypocrisy l
sannot be silent and see such men come into
power. may make enemies but will Dc
my duy. Now rs to the signs; do not
know that need try to give them all, as l
was never instructed in giving them but
once. Suffice it, for the present, to say that
they have signs by which they recognize
each Other. They drop pieces of paper upon
which are written certain characters on the
side walks and other public places, to give
an alarm and be ready for any emergency
When in the army, they are to bite off their
cartridges, let the ball fall to the ground,
and give their ramfod certain flourish
then run down the powder without the ball
then hold their guns across the left wrist so
shat their friends may know who they are.
When say their friends mean the rebel
army for loyal men would not understand
their signs. Such are the men who are rum
ming for Office on the Democratic ticket, pro-
Tossing love for tner country. Oh, what
love Lmake these statements in full view
of the responsibility incur, believing that
some honest Democrats will see with whom
they are associating and for whom they are
about to cast their votes. For further par
-,icuars, call on me in Albany.
S S. MARKHAM.
3. .r - - - = = q. sr.