The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-11-08
MEETING OF J4COBINTCaL
LEADERS,.
Ho,c the President Is tobe Inpeuchetz
hOU Dep0seet, and aCHO is to
Succeed him.
WASHINGTON, Oct. %, 1866

w
When President Johnson was on his
late trip in the West a United States
Senator and two major generals Of the
Army, WhQ belonged to his party, were
approached at Indianapolis by a prom.
inent Conservative Republican, who
had been colonel Of an Indiana regi-
ment during the war, and who is now
captain in the regular service, and
who made the following startling state
ment: He had been making speeches
for the Republicans in Indiana in Au-
gust last, and at the request of Cover
nor Fletcher, Of Missouri, visited that
State, and made one or two Conserva-
tive speeches. He was told by Cover
nor Fletcher that his speeches were to
tame; that the most radical of declara-
tions We're wanted in Missouri; that the
people must be told that the Republic
cans had decided that the rebels should
not vote, and that the State was to be
carried by force of arms if necessary.
Governor Fletcher also told him that he
had thirty thousand muskets in the
State in loyal hands, and that they
should be used If necessary to carry the
State. The Inyianian told Governor
Fletcher that he was a Republican in
principle, but did not approve Of such
measures and would not advocate them.
Governor Fletcher thoughtAhim merely
Weakened, and answered him that he
would come into the harness after awhile.
4 few nights subsequently he was pres
ent on invitation at secret meeting of
radical leaders at the Lindell Hotel.
About fifty prominent radicals were
present, including Governor Fletcher,
Of Missouri; Governor Oglesby, Of Hi
nois, and Senator Yates and John A.
Logon, of Illinois. The whole plan of
the impeachment of the President Was
discussed, even to the arrangement of
filling Washington with an armed force
Of "Boys in Blue' to protect Congress,
and also to decide who should succeed
Johnson in case Vice President Foster,
as his successor, should not prove equal
~ positive, and pliable to the will OF the
Jacobins. Butler, Governor Morton, of
Indiana, and others We're discussed.
Butler was looked upon as lacking in
courage, and Morton was feared as be-
ing too ambitious for the purposes of the
conspirators. General Grant was men
toned as too conservative, and Sher-
man was secuted as cOpperhead.
Finally Senator Yates was decided up
on as possessing more stamina and less
scruples than any other available man.
If President johnson offered serious re-
sistance, and Foster did not act vigor-
ously, Yates was to be put in control of
affairs.
When he was about leaving st. Louis
the informant in the case was requested
by Governor Fletcher to ask Governor
Morton, of Indiana, what number of
arms he could spare to Missouri. Gov
ernor Morton replied, when the message
was delivered, that he could not say
that he had any to spare; that there
were about one hundred thousand stand,
with plenty of ammunition, in the ar
senal;he would see what could be spared,
and confer with Gov. Fletcher. Out OF
this correspondence grew the confer
enee of the Governors az Philadelphia,
which it is now we'll known was for he
purpose, among others, of distributing
arms throughout the country. Outside
of the statement of this officer,S there is
indutible evidence in the hands OF Pres
ident johnson of the secret distribution
of large quantities Of arms throughout
the Northwest on various preteXts, all
Of which, however, are legal and plausl-
bic enough.
While the startling character OF this
story causes it to be incredously received
by many, the character OF the officer
making the statement, the known des-
perate characters of the leaders impli-
Gated in the scheme, and much corrob-
orative evidence received, cause it to be
generally believed among the Presi-
dents adherents.
No MORE NATIONAL BANKS TO BE
EsTABLIsHED.-The Comptroller Of the