Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-04-08

Court, but the Judges of that court
are relieved from circuit duty
The IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN.
AN organization of this Order hav-
ing been effected in this city, a short
account of its origin and history,
its objects and principles, may not be
uninteresting to our readers. What
we have to say will be but a repetition
of what is given to the outside world in
the published histories of the Order.
There is some uncertainty about the
exact time of the institution of the Or
der in this country, owing to the loss OF
the original record of its transactions,
but sthere exists in the recollection OF
some of the older members of the pres
ent day, an early tradition which points
to Fort Miffiin, on the Delaware river,
as the birth place of the Society, and
that some time during the period inter-
vening between the years 1912 and
1914, as the time of the kindling Of its
first council fire. Says the history
we have quoted &
The circumstance which this tradi-
ton assigns as the Stimulating cause Of
its first organization, grew out of the
bitter animosity which had been en-
gendered between the aoar and anti war
parties during those eventful years in
American history. l97tt.i -o
The spirit of hatred, strife, and dis
trust, which embittered the feeling Of
the conflicting factions. was not long
confined to the civil community out
side; but passing as itwere unseen by
the sentinels, it made its appearance
and disseminated its demoraIizing in
fiuence among the soldiers of the gar
rison Some of the more influential
and patriotic of the volunteers within
the Fort, viewing with apprehension
and fear the threatening consequence
of the powers at work among them to
their country and its free institutions,
and rising above the Vaccinations Of
party to the true level of patriotism,
proposed and effected among the sol
diers the organization of a Secret Soci-
ETY., fortified by signs, grips, and pass
words, the object Of which was to dis.
pei discord and disseminate friendship.
Their efforts, as we are told, were at.
tended with the happiest results; for in
very short time after their organiza.
ton was completed marked change
was visible in the tone and temper Of
the garrison. Where before had been
- o--,----s.7sSa, TTsrr.lt5sstesoI0rrs
of angry passion, was now kindness,
good fellowship, and brotherly regard
-amity OF sentiment and unity of pur-
pose prevailing in every heart, as the
soldiers of Fort Miffiin emerged from
the council of Red Men where they had
pledged themselves to- patriotism and
fraternity.
There are those who do not limit its
origin to as late a date as the war Of
1919, but find presnmptive evidence at
least that itroriginated at much earli-
er day; claiming that it took its rise
during the Revolutionary war, and that
the origin attributed to the Society at
Fort Miffiin was but the reorganization
of pre-existing fraternal elements for
kindred purposes. Those who take
this view of its origin, find in the
'sSaint Tammany Society of the Rev
olutionary days, its birth, claiming
that II was, IN all It's essential charac-
teristics, identical with the Red Men
one and the same Society. s ~ =
Thus much as to the date of the In
stitution. As to its objects and prin-
ciples weshall necessarily be brief, be-
cause, in this. respect, it is similar to.
Odd Fellowship and Free Masonry,
and need not to-be here enlarged upon.
to be understood and appreciated
The Order. insits origin and early,
days. was no doubt politicalz-or rath--