Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-08-28
THE Ku1KLUx DEMOCRACY IN
81 q Y MISSOURI.
Revelation Of a Startling Plot.



Of secret armed organization, for the
purpose of carrying this Stafe for Seymour
and Blair, has been discovered here The
Democrat. which, tomorrow morning, will
publish all the documents which are
known to exist in connection with the
scheme, says, editorialIy: 10 VIZ "a $50 80
I'VE have before US the papers Of a
secret armed organization of Democrats,
the purpose Of which 10 to overpower the
Government and to trample into dust the
laws. In this State the immediate punt
Of attack 10 the loyal Government aud the
law excluding rebels from. suffrage. In
the Southern States il aims at the over
throw Of the existing State Government
In both it is composed mainly Of rebels,
and is complete military orgs nizaiion.
Though its name differs in different States,
ali branches are closely in connection.
}, Whether il has yet any existence in the
Northern States, we can not positively
say. At the South IL works nseignlG .hy.
the assassinations OF leading Rspuk ~
J La this State a few mysterious nurdv4
have occurred, aud in several localities we
have proof that lists Of Radicals TO be re
moved at the earliest opportunity. have
been made. But It's first object here is to
carry the election by force IL possible. TO
this end picked band of men,. limited in
number, is to be organized in every local
iiy. IL is military organization in every
particular. Its purposes are concealed
even from the body Of Democrats, for no
Democrat, not a member, is allowed to be
present at any meeting or roll call. It's
members are bound by secret oath to
obey the orders Of their leader, and every
company is required TO meet every week
for roll call, to send constant reports Of
its effective force, and TO keep the force
up TO the full number. Between COM
panies and headquarters, as between
headquarters here aud in other States,
there is constant communication. but in
all such papers the nature aud objects Of
the organization are carefully concealed.
These papers, perhaps, for the sake of se-
crecy, have been signed aud sent by dit.
iereot persons in this city. whose names
we retain for the present, hut the proper
authorities have been informed of them.
; The nature OF the Organization. shows that
90 lawful effort TO carry .lhe State is con.
templated. 1t binas men directly to arm
ed CO. operation TO force the admission of
, all Democratic votes, including those OF
rebels. The iujunciion' OF secrecy, the
oath to obey vows, the establishment OF
: secret signs and signals, the peculiar form
Of the organization 10 Sections of ten men
each, under control OF an officer, the pro-
hibition of books aud records, and the
! exclusion of all visiting members aud
Democrats not sworn members, show that
the action contemplated Is one which men,
even before their party friends, dare not
put upon psper. aud can hope TO accom-
plish II only by conspiracy OF the most
desperate aud lawIess luen ia the State,
The following are the papers referred
TO. The first Is a circular dated 81 Louis,
August IL, 1868:
"'CIncULAR
"'DEAR Sir: IL is thoucht by reliable
Democrats that the time has arrived 10
demand and maintain our rights as citi-
xens and ireemen. This can not be eff
fccted by few individuals scattered
through the State without any organiza.
ton or understanding. hut must be fedu-
eed TO O systematic combination, consist
ing Of good aud true Democrats, who
know their rights aud dare maintain them
The time has pissed when the bayonet
rules in Missouri, and in claiming what
is right and just, he who asserts IL must
feel himself willing and able 10 exercise
that 6rmness always CONNER dable in the
estimation even of our enemies. In view
Of the above, aud very many other appar
ent reasons, an organization has been
formed here which looks TO mutual pro-
lection in the approaching contest. If
you approve its contents you will al once
proceed TO organize by signing your nanie
to the obligations aud selecting such add
ditonal names for officers aud privates as
are contemplated in the instructions TO
captains, L C. prudent aud rusty Demo-
Gratis. If you can no, form a whole com
pany, do the best you can. Remit TO
Geo. A Terrible, E.q., box 2,4S6, St.
Louis, Mo, such sums Of money as you
may collect from time TO time for this
purpose. Ifyg can possibly do so, select
some reliable Democrat at or near the
neighboripg precinct who will take COM
mand Of another company, and advise me
Of the fact Immediately. All the Demo-
cratic votes, with activity, vigilance aud
nerve, will carry the State for Seymour
and Blair. We earnestly hope you will
not delay correspondence, aud if you dc.
cline, please name some reliable and pru-
dent Democrat to whom we can write.
".Your obediept servant, -
"P. S. The importance Of secrcsy in
this matter is readily perceivable. We
rely on your discretion and fidelity.
INSTRUCTIONS TO CAPTAINS.
"'Your company will consist Of three
platoous; each platoon to consist OF two
sections; each section TO consist OF ten
men. 10 each platoon there will be
commissioned one Lieutenant, who will
have the authority TO appoint one order
ly sergeant. You will collect from each
private two dollars, from each Lieutenant
five dollars, and from the Captain ten dol
lars, which will end tho expense so far as
headquarters il concerned This money
will be forwarded to headquarters. Each
platoon may meet separately, but your
entire company must meet once every
week for roll call Your weekly reports
will be forwarded to headquarters. You
require no books or records Of any kind.
You can arrange your own signs aud
signals. You are not allowed, at any of
your meetings, to entcrtnin visiting broth.
ers. No one must be present at roll call