The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-01-18
PREPARING FOR "WAH"
How the Hayes and Wheeler Clubs IN Ohio
Are Training for Military Serrice.

In the Western Reserve and all over
the northern part of the State, the mass
es of the Republicans are excited, deter
mined and active. The Hayes and
Wheeler clubs which existed in every
city, town aud hamlet are to-day as Wig.
orous and defiant as they were in last
November But they have dropped the
party name. Now, disguised under the
name of the patriotic Sons of Liberty
the torch and transparency have been
laid aside for ritual and army tactics, and
in closely guarded lodge rooms secret
sessions and drilling are had. Again we
find them styled The Stars and Stripes,'
again, "The Sons of America" and in
another locality the "Phalanx of the
LOYAL Brotherhood"
In the various towns these various Or
ganizations are actively and secretly car
rying on their work of proselyting the
masses, and, while differing in name, it
is believed that they are all working un
der one general directing mind, and un-
der one common ritual. The impression
of those who have endeavored to learn
the object and aims of the Order Of Or.
ders, is that these secret bodies are COM
posed of the Order of United Americans,
which the Herald so fully exposed last
spring. | was of course, unable to faith.
ON the secrets of these oath bound socie-
ties, but from hints dropped by members
and the investigations of persons whom
| have conferred with, there is but little
doubt but that they are military organi-
cations in the interest of the Republican
party. That they have stated drills is a
certainty, but everybody outside of the
lodge rooms is entirely atsea whether or
not they are armed organizations or only
political societies, who meet for drill and
conference. The membership, it is no.
ticed, is largely made up of, State and
Federal office-holders, young men who
have since the war became voters, with
a sprinkling of ex-soldiers of the late
war. Regarding the organization known
as the "Stars and Stripes which have.
reason to believe is rapidly extending its
influence over the State, | have been en-
abled to learn secretly something. Some
months ago prominent official of Tole-
do, whose name l have, m de prolong-
ed visit to Washington, and on his return
he began the founding Of the mystic
brotherhood in that city. Planted there
to soon extend to other towns, including
Sandusky, Tiffin, (the home Of General
Gibson, who is reported 10 be an active
member). MonrOeville, Cleveland, Mans
field, Newark and Columbus, The Tole-
do official made mysterious visits to other
towns, it Is believed, for the purpose of
founding lodges. On Monday night last
a party Of about twenty five from Newark
paid flying visit to Mansfield, and were
Sntil away in the morning, in secret ses-
sion with the mystic crew Of that city -
These mysterious gatherings, under COW
.er of night, have caused Democrats much
concern, who have in vain essayed to
discover their object in banding together
Beyond the low murmur of voices and
the tramp as of men drilling, nothing as
to what is done within their well guard.
ed thresholds has been discovered
Their secrets are saTedIy guarded, and
when after midnight they emerge from
dark Railways and scatter silently to
their homes, the pedestrians who may be
ON the almost deserted streets of the ru-
raj towns are filed with curiosity and
alarm. Circumstances that have come
to nv knowledge land admissions made
TO me which it would be injndiciOus for
me at present to divulge) satisfy me be-
yond a doubt that within the Republican
party of this State there are oath bound
organizations whose secret plottings bode
no good to the republic, and which
should be discouraged by all lovers OF
peace and harmony.-Col Columbus Cor. to
New York Herald.