The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1867-02-21
"The Grand Army OF the RE-
nultIlest


The Radicals have inauguratcd se.
cret military, political association under
this imposing title None are eligible
~ membership hut those who served 10
the late war, aud can bring testimonials
~ to their "soundness" on the political
issues of the day--opposition 10 the
President, and hostility to the Ubion Of
the States under the Constitution -
Each State constitutes department.
with its commanders, grand eomman-
dem, and other officers, and from these
the power descends to the different chap
ters and lodges of the order. The or.
der or association trahsacts its business
with the utmost secrecy, and the mem
bers are known to each other BY grips,
slgus, pass words, and other contrivap.
ces. The duty Of. the members is to
obey, without questioning the orders Of
their superors to pursue diligently
the work of prosel lyting among the sol.
diers, aud to be active, jealous, and use.
ful during local, State, and national
elections They are also to collect 10.
formation from all sources and report
the same to those in authority in the
several orders, chapters or lodges, and
above all, to maintain Rtacf their mill.
tary organization, and to be ready to act
at moments notice, and in whatever
manner is pointed out by the grand
commander. -
The State Convention Of the Grand
Army OF the Republic" for Ohio met at
Columbus on the 9th ult. About one
hundred and fifty delegates were pres.
ent The outside attendance was large:
Including iaany Of the leading Radical
politicians Of that Commonwealth. This
establishes the connection between the
Grand Army Of the Rcpublic"-a Sc
cret military, political ciation--and
the misehlevuus mcn who are ruling the
Radical party in the country. The ru.
NOR in Ohio is that the mem ers of this
secret order are TO be supplied with
arms from the arsenal Of the State, and
thus put in a condition for immediate
service, should crisis arise, in the
opinion OF such men as Butler, and Ste
yens, and sumner, and the other rcvo.
lutionists In Congress, when supreme
power is to be held by the bayonet.--
During the last session of Congress, il
will be remembered, General Paine read
in place a bill authorizing the Governors
of all the loyal States to organize,
arm, and equip the militia Of their
States. Thut was movement under
which the "Grand Army of the Repub
lie" was TO be covered aud made useful
in the political field, and also prepared
fox action ola different character ut the
proper moment Since that time events
have Travelled with amazing rapidity.-
The Radicals have developed a policy
which is revolutionary in all its aspects
and bearings. The President is threat
ened with impeachment and deposition.
The Supreme Court is attacked and its
decisions and power ignored by Con.
gress, and ten of the States menaced
with annihilation. This is the proposed
campaign of the Radicals, aud Just at
this turn of the contest, the Grand
Army of the Republic" comes promi.
ncntly into view, flnnked by the politi.
clans who have lnbored to produce this
revolutionary condition Of affairs in the
country, and are determined to hold
power by the sword, if the people will
not submit quietly to their assaults and
usurpation - u
This Organization. which exists in all
the Northern States. is trcasonable and
dangerous in whatever light il NAV he
viewed. Armed or unarmed lis mem.
bers are to be used as agents to corrnn,
public sentiment and keen alive tbose
feelings Of hostility which render 4 trpe
and thorough union between ths North
and South impossible. There Is 10 be
no oblivion of the past. From father 10
son worse than corsicau vendetta L
to be trans smitted, aud all means used 10
widen the breach which war bIaodshcd