Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-04-08
MiseeIIame1ns 8eaaing
The Empire Approaches.


leaders, in their efforts for Capitalization
of power, were gradually paving the way
for Transforming this Republic into an
Empire; that, while pretending to base
their action upon the will of the people,
they are, under that cover, directing all
their efforts towards revolution which
will enable them to insure the ruin of our
Republic and its institutions, and establish
in its place an Empire, with its crowned
Emperor, titles of nobility and aristocratic
rule Few imagined that there would be
any SO bold as ID publicly announce this
as their intention, and proclaim this dog
trine at so early a stage in the movement.
1t is, however. fortunate that the mask is
about to be removed, the real objects made
known, that the people may be able to re-
alize the danger which threatens them.
Hardly had Gen. Grant been sworn in
as President before there were rumors in
political circles that paper was soon to be
started in Philadelphia advocating the es-
adjustment of an Empire in this country,
and in favor of proclaiming Grant Enpe-
ror. This was at first looked upon as a
mere rumor, but it is now proving to be
something more. A gentleman purport-
ing to represent those engaged in the
movement recently visited this city and
Albany to see how far the Republican
leaders would lend their sympathy. This
person stated that leading members of the
Union League of Philadelphia were en-
listed in this programme, and had furnish
ed the means to establish paper to advo-
cate it: also to establish secret societies
for the PRONUNCIATION of that doctrine.
Further. that paper would soon be pub
lished in that city to be called the Empire,
the motto of which would be, in the words
of Napoleon and Grant. 'The Empire is
peace" and "Let US have peace" while
its columns would be devoted to arguments
and proofs showing that this Republic had
proved failure, urging the necessity of
establishing an Empire, and advocating
Grant as the man for Emperor. This
sheet, we understand, is ready to appear,
and only waiting the moment to arrive
when those engaged in the work of organ
izing societies announce that the time has
come to remove the mask.
1t now appears that they have found
sympathy here, and that one week from
to-day paper is to be issued in this city
to be called the haperiazist, the prospec-
tus of which has already been ISSUED, in
which it is announced that "this long ex-
pected Journal" as though the matter had
been in secret contemplation even during
the last Presidential campaign, will appear
in April. Still further along we are told
that "the creed of the In,perialist is rev.
dictionary its mission is to prepare the
minds of the American people for the rev.
olution that has already begun throughout
the country"-thus announcing that the
work has been progressing for long time,
and that it has finally reached a stage
when the objects and aims can be openly
proclaimed. Another paragraph in his
prospectus indicates that either the bond
holders are in the movement, Or else their
sympathy and aid are sought, and that it
is also the intention to make this class
the nobility for it states that "We be-
lieve that the national faith, if left in the
keeping of the populace, will be sullied by
sure reputation of the national debt, and
that an Imperial government can alone
protect the rights of national creditors. .
Then again, it is stated that ''the repub-
lie means lawlessness, corruption, insecu.
rity to person and property, robbery O
1
the public creditors and civil war
that the empire means law, order, securi
ty, public faith and peace" This jour
nal is likewise to advocate making Grant
an Emperor. These facts prove that the
movement is not mere ephemeral affair,
but an earnest and determined one !; that
it has already made great Roadway in thi'
city and Philadelphia, and if the whole
secret was known, it might also appear
that papers are to simultaneously appear
in Boston, Chicago and other cities advo
eating the same programme. One thing
appears quite certain, it is not confded tt
a few individuals, as sensation suficien
has transpired to show that it is BON
fde movement, and that it is backed by ;
powerful secret organization, bearing The
mysterious title of T. l. 0. This is tht
name which has been adopted by the SO
cieties which are now being started in diff
ferent parts of the country.
Our information comes from a gentle
man who was invited to join one of these
societies. gentleman who was an appli
cant for an office under Grant. He wa