The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1876-12-21
The Foul Plot TO Overthrow tho Government


Chicago, Dec. 15.-The ban of secresy
having been removed by its own action,
herewith forward You certain data
touching the new Democratic military
organization. As,usual in such cases,
the success OF the organization depends
upon that class of men who are always
first in getting control OF anything that
will lift them from obscurity into noto-
ricty, and who are chattererS, like mag
pics. | speak of the organization as a
"success," which ii is in a certain sense,
for it has already enrolled q tair-sized
army. The Official papers in this article
will afford about all the light that is
needed to comprehend the aim and scope
of the organization. Therefore, only u
general statement as to lis ramitications
is required.
Immediately following the call for rep
rescntative Democrats TO go to the
Southern states and superintend the
counting OF votes by the returning
boards, the following was sent out TO
leading men throughout the country.
1t was in the shape of an autograph let
ter, evidently written with an electric
pen. In the upper right hand corner
was standard, with rooster emblem.
Ii is read thus:
Especial Order, No. I'LL Dear sir
The following has been agreed upon and
adopted as the obligation to be subscrib-
ed to by each member of the legion.
You are charged with the duty OF adj
ministering the same to all commission
cd officers in your district, who are then
authorized TO administer the like obli-
CATION TO each enrolled member.
Whereas, In obedience TO the require
ments of the constitution ofthe United
States, the qualified voters assembled at
their respective polling places on Tues
day, the eth day of November "A. ID.
1876, and did then and there east their
ballots for president and vice-presIdcnt
Of the United States ard
Whereas, On return of the ballots so
east it was shown that majority dcclar
Cd in favor of Samuel J. Tilden, of New
York, for president, and Thomas A.
Hendricks, oflndiana, for vice president,
for four years from the 4th day Of March,
\. ID. 1877;
Now, therefore, u, do SOL
EMMY swear that | will bear true faith
and allegiance to the consiitutionally ex-
pressed will Of tho people, to tue Consti-
tutional Democratic Veteran Legion, to
the constitution of the United States,
and the constitution of tho state Of;
and to carry ont the objects Of tins or
ganization | do further solemnly swear
that will obey all The commands Of my
superior officers. SO help me God. BY
order OF the commanding general. Re
specially, CHARLES Il. FGTHAN,
Assistant Adigtant-General.
| have not been able 10 secure copies
of preceding papers. but, from CONVEX
sation with members of the Legion,
gather thicr purport, to this effect /:
The first was addressed to leading Dem
ocrats who had served in the Union
army during the rebellion, but who had
retained their allegiance 10 the Demo
cratic party, and asking them as TO the
feasibility of organizing a legion in that
locality, 10 he composed, as near as pos
sble, of exUnion soldiers. The object
of the Legion was plainly stated 10 DC
only means e.: self preservation of the
liberties of the people, with contin-
gent necessity Tor a resort 10 force in
the event that President Grant and the
Southern returning boards disregarded
the consti,uuonally expressed viii Of
people, and illegally attempted TO inau-
guraie Hayes rs president.
The second circular letter was address
cd TO the confidential Democratic adher-
ents in each state, and called for the toll
lowing Information
What is the number ard standard Of
efficiency Of the state military orsrniza-
tons
What arsenals have you!
What publc buildings in your state be-
long to the Federal government!
send herewith an exact copy Of the
fourth circular letter, rs follows:
DEAR SIR: Enclosed please lind blanl,
commissions for the officers OF your To-
gion. Again it IS impressed upon you
to exercise the utmost vigilance in Sc
Letting and aggrecating the men Who
are to compose tho Legion. See that
they conform in all respects 10 the re
quiremrnis of the present United States