The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-01
Secret Republican and Democratic
Military Organizations.
OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE.
The Sons of America and the Pha anx Of
the Loyal Brotherhood.
PORTENlOUS MOVEMENTS In THE WEST.

Just now there Is much said and great deal written
relative TO the existence here in the West Of secret
societies. the alleged object Of which 10 TO secure the
Inauguration OF Hayes and TiIdcn respectively as
President on the 4th Of March. Tho democrats and
their leaders ana organs charge that the Grantayss
aaherents being organized in this State and IN
Indiana, with semi military complexion, with the
secret object OF using iorce the schemes Of
Chandler and Sherman TO inaugnrate Hayes Or
course this is denied by tho party organs OF the ad-
ministraton who retaliate by charging that within
the Of the Western democracy powerful organi-
cation with extensive locations, has been formed
for other purpose than precipitate cvl war upon
tho country If Samuel J. Tden be not counted In by
Congress tho second "Wednesday in February. II Is
charged that the democrats have resusctaIed the
old organization known as the "Knights of the Golden
Circle" that made such aggressive demonstrations In
the early stages Of the late war. and that they
are now extending their Order secretly throughout the
West; that their object is reasonable one and that
leaders OF the party knowing to the existence
OF these secret plotters. II Is true Governor Hen
bricks has dlsavowed all knowledge Of such organiza.
and has expressed the belief that they have no
existence but his dsavowa docs not indicate that
there ground for those widespread reports Of sc.
cret societies existing In The West.
1t has fallen the lot OF your correspondent to
abIsh Tho truth OF the charges made by democrats and
These secret plots not confined to either party.
Both republicans aud democrats have their OATH
societies, whose OBJECT no doubt, points TO tho same
endviz tho inauguration OF their favortc candidate.
Before proceeding to detail tho character OF the in
formation have obtained sustaining this assertion let
me say that have very secretly and quietly visited
many centrcs OF political feeling and discussion in
Michigan and Ohio, and without leading them to
poet the object of my mission, have ELECTED the views
OF many local leaders.
QUIET REIGNs IN MICHIGAN
find in the former State among the republican busi-
ness men very conservative feeling existing All ex-
press the desire that H. the report of the Congress
sIonal committees now in the South being made to
Congress- il found that Tden has probably carried
one OF the doubtful States, he should be given
benefit Of the doubt and receive the Endorsement of
Congress- They declare that the republican party
cannot afford responsibility OF precpitating
civil by blindly sustaining the Washington poll
ticians, whose object Is a retention Of office and
tinued enjoyment OF the spos Those who spoke
thus OF course federal olcc-holders but the
business men whose patriotism and desire for fair
play peace tar above party lines and partisan
an tecedents The onice-hoders loud those of
States in maintaining that Hayes shall be inau
guraled all hazards. and they 60 far their
blind zeal in following their political and
tor Zach Chandler, declare that they will march
on Washington, with arms in their hands, to sustain
him. rhc democrats OF the State are very undemon-
strativc and reserved their utterances When they
do give expression opinions IL is to deplore the pos
sblty OF conflict and 10 express the hope that the
wisdom oil the clcarheaded republicans Of the country
will hold check and ncutrazc tho bitterness OF the
office holders and rule-or-run leaders OF tho party
The democratic clubs that existed tho State during
the last campaign have far learn, been dis
banded and no bombastic OF using
dulged in by the rank and Ale Outside of the Boys
Blue and the Grand Army OF the Republic there
NO secret republican clubs IN the State. The Boys
Blue keep up u faint semmilitary organization, but
the state has large republican voting majority that
the "Boys'' arc ukewarm. In Michigan, therefore,
can safely assure you, there are no political clubs
plot,iug to civil nernecine strife This may
be- in a measure, owing TO the confidence reposed in
their leaders, who dscountenance violence believing
Thai the constitution Is broad enough to solve the un-
happy dilemma IN wh'eh inc country mas itseii
DANGEROUS ELEMENTS IN ONO.
| wish could repeat OF Ohio what have said of
| Michigan; but as faithful chronicer, who Tor the
| ponce sinks party feelings in desire to record the
truth Unjust say that mschievous men In this Stale
have plant ed the seed that Is likely result har-
vest OF Violence unless the wisdom and patriotism OF
astute politicians who have the confluence OF the
masses can avert the danger and stamp tho
diary designs OF the excited masses Democrats and
republicans alike are engaged IN the lncendary work
OF organic n.y. in expectation OF civil conflict, and in
some cases urmng also.
| REPUBLICAN
In the Western Reserve and all over the northern
part the State the masses oil the republicans are
cited determined and active. The Hayes and Wheeler
clubs that existed In city. town aud ham
To-Day us iulI OF vigor and defiance they in
| November last But they nave dropped the party
| name Now disguised uuder tho name Of the "Patri-
otto Sons oil Liberty the torch and the Transparency
have been aside for ritual ana army tactics, AMI IN
closely guarded lodge secret sessions ana drill
ing are bad Again we find them sly "rhe Stars
and Stripes" again the sons OF America,
| Rrot harhn In
towns these various organizations are actively ana
secretly carrying on their work OF PRESERVING The
masses and while differing IN name, 1t IL believed tnat
they all working under one general directing mind
and under common ritual The impression Of
those endeavored tn learn the object and aims
of the Order or Orders that these bodies
composed of the order OF United Americans winch the
unable to tatom The secrets Of these bound
etles but from Inns dropped by members ana the
Investigations o persons whom have conferred win,
there Is little doubt they miitary organizations
In the OF the republican party That they nave
stated drills Is certainty. but everybody out-ide oil
the lodge rooms entirely Al sea as 10 whether they
are armed organizations or merely political societies
who NEE, Tor drl aud conference. The membership,
II is noiced is largely made up Of state ana federal
Office holders, young men who have since the war
! become voters, with sprinkling OF cx-soldiers OF
the late war. Regarding the organization known as
levc Is rapidly extending It's influence over the S'ate
have been enabled to learn secretly something some
months ago prominent government Official oil Ioledo,
whose name have, made "a prolonged visit TO wash
ngon aud his return he began the founding OF ths
mystic brotherhood IN that city Planted there som
extended 10 other towns, including Sandusky THIN
1.-The home OF General Gibson, who - reported to ~ an
active memberL Monroeve Cleveland, MaDshed,
Newark aud Coluu bus. THIS Toledo onica maze
many my sterious visits to interior towns, Is pe-
iievcd Tor the purpose Of founding lodges on MON
day night last party OF aDow Wenty-
1--WE IRON Newark paid lying visp 70 Mahs-
/ ucld and were until away into the morn7
ing in secret concave with tho mystic Grey
OF that city. These mysterious gsnerinss under
oil night have caused much concern 10 tse DEMO
crats who have yainy essayed To discover tbef ODD
jec,s IN banding together. Beyond mel low m9enur OF
voices and the tramp as OF men dling nQ1h,ng as 70
what is done within their we'll guarded tn snslds mas
been discovered Their secrets are sacred Gua dsu,
and when amer midnight they enc &c from dfVk mll'
WAYS and silently scatter 70 Their homes the Haeaes-
TRANS VINO may be the almost deserted streee q
inc rural towns are nled with curiosity aud aiarn
| C,rcumsienccs that have come to my knowledge am
admt.sIops made TO me which IL would be injudicous
for mo 10 divupe ut the present wrlting satisfy me