The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-09
a GIGANTIC PLOT AND A DEMO
CRATIC MARES NEST.

General Orders Promulgated - Re
markRble Interview with One Of the
Commanders, Etc.
From The NelO York World Of to-day.
During the continuance of the late Rebellion,
Democrats we're frequently accused of conspi-
ring against the Union and the Government. 1t
was asserted that vast organizations, such as
the knights OF the Golden CIrcle,n were in ex-
istence for the express purpose of resisting the
authority Of the Government. These organiza-
uons were never proved to have existed, and
certainly no such resistance as was spoken of
was offered at any time to the powers tnat were.
1t is different with the radicals, who 1t ap-
pears, have been tor some time organizing IN
military masses for the support of Congress and
the restriction of the President as the legally
constituted head of the Government. Just in
the same way have they organized as have the
negroes, whose work has been some time since
referred to in the World. In view of the pro-
Jected plan of impeachment, the movement now
being made in every State is beng rapidly
pushed on. By this means 1t is hoped that all
the military power of the country, irrespective
Of the regular army, will be at the disposal of
Congress tor the furtherance ofits revolutionary
measures, and by this means to the views of
General Grant will be attributed no special i'm.
pOrtance.
The facts which bear out this argument are as
follows:-
Not long since a new organization, called the
Grand Army OF the Republic was formed in
every city and State in the Union. 1t is COM
posed exclusively of veterans who served in the
late war. Inc IOrmaJlO0 OF JnlS army InaQe
almost as little noise in the country as the tall
Of a snowflake. 1t was not designed that it
should take prominent place before the public
till some great necessity should arise for its
services.
In addition to the main purpose of support.
ing the Government, ITS object was of a benevo-
lent nature, and by this means it presented
special attractions to the soldiers, till in short
time, its ranks embraced over five hundred
thousand men.
On Thursday, for the first time, the State of
New York was divided into military districts by
the Adjutant-General of the organization, as
will appear from the following general orders,n
published in the Tribune of the following day.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK,
GRAND ARMY OF THE Observation-Disclosures
GENERALS OFFICE, New York, February 6,
lS67-GENERAI. ORDERS No 81. The follow
ing named comrades are hereby detailed and
announced as members Of the provisional staff
of this Department. on duty at these Head
quarters-Major George L. Stevens Aide-de-
Camp and Assistant Inspector-General; Brevet
They will be respected accordingly, and are
hereby authorized to establish and organize
posts in localities not under the Jurisdiction of
District Commanders, announced in orders
from these Headquarters.
2. The following named comrades are hereby
detailed and announced as temporary COM
lnanders of their respective districts, which are
designated as folows:-District of Manhattan,
comprising the city and county OF New York,
with headquarters at the .Blble House. BreVet
Brigader-G General Rush G. Hawkins: District OF
Oneida, comprising the county of the same
name, with headquarters at Utica, Major David
+. Ritchie, They will at once assume COM
mand, and will be obeyed and respected accord
3. TO prevent informalty in the muster-in of
recruits in this Department, it is hereby
nounced, for the informatIsn of this command,
that recruits will be mustered only in regularly
constituted posts and by district commanders
in the establishment of posts, Except by the
Grand Commander, an officer of his staff, or by
special authority from these headquarters. The
attention of officers is particularly called to
articles S, o. IL, and 10 of the rules and regula-
tons of the Grand Army of the Republic, and
cially enjoined. staff officers will be enrolled
as members of posts, and reported by the posts
to which they belong as upon detached service.
BY order of the Grand Commander.
(OhiciaD FRANK j. BRAMHALL,
Assistant Adjutant-Ge General.
d. VAN SCHAICK, Aid-de.Camp.
INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF THE COMMANDERS.
In or der to ascertain from an official source
the avowed objects and character of the organi.
Zaton, one OF our reporters called last evening
at the office of the commander of the forces OF
the District OF Manhattan, in the Bible House,
| and, finding the apartment closed proceeded to
| his house in Fifth avenue, when the folio wing
dialogue ensued, which the reader will find
bears out the assertions which form the preface
| of this article:-
Reporter (handing the Colonel copy of the
| above general orders") There is a report 70
! the effect that the Grand Army of the Republic
| to which reference is made in these orders, has
| been raised for radical purposes, and that it is
designed to be used against the President and
|
| his proposed impeachment
Commander-If Congress should impeach the
| President, / have no doubt as to which side the
| Grand Army of the Republic will take.
Reporter-Will you please tell me what are
| its objects, and when II was formed?
| Commander-It had its origin some time
since, in portions of the West where there is nc
| militia. Its objects are of a benevolent char.
acter; its aims to assist all its members who
| may be in need.
Reporter many ,len are there enrolled
| in the organization?
| Commander-Over five hundred thousand.
| All soldiers honorablY discharged are admss
| BILE We have Democrats and Republicans in
our ranks; but all the leading officers are radi.
Gals, so you can imagine how the army would
be welded in case of any national necessity.
| Reporter-Then the army may be said to have
| a radical character in the main
| Commander-Yes. it is under radical officers
and If there should be any necessity for its ser
| vices / have no doubt they would be rendered
| for the purpose of supporting Congress, if it im
peached the President.
| Reporter-Have arms or uniforms been fur
| nished to the men?
Commander-NO.
Reporter-Do they meet regularly
| Commander-Yes. but their meetings are
secret; they meet in lodges, and only members
| are admitted; we are particular about our mem
bers; all who apply for admission are Obliged
| to furnish papers showing their connection
with the army and an honorable discharge.
Such was the interview our reporter had with
one of the military leaders of the organization
whose replies show that this new army may bt
used at any time at the beck of Congress, tC
sustain its policy by force, and to silence al
opposition to the impeachmento OF the President
When the fact ia realized that ii Is unnecessary
10 create military departmentsn for "beneyo
lent" organization, the object of the army, II
the present crisis of the country, will be found
apparent.