Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-01-28

The Portland Press Of Tuesday published
/ startling revelations Of an oaih-bound secret
organization, which il in existence in this
State. and actively a, work in preparing for
revolution and biOodshed, from whieh we copy
the foll3eing:
CIRCLE OF THE -'B. 7. l."
During the troublous weeks which have
passed since Gareelon and his Council first
! made evident their intention Of stealing
state Legislature and doing away with elec-
tions By the people, it has been limited BY the
leaders Of the extreme wing of the Fusionist.
that il il became necessary 10 susta'n by arms
the usurpation- of that remarkably infamous
body ami lis creatures, il
Fk,UD Mr.r Bg SrrrLEsESTED BIZ FORCE,
armed and drilled organizations would be
found ready for the work. Almost from the
first s0me OF the Fusion organs in the State
were vehement and constant in their menaces
Of those justices Of the Court, members elect
uf the legislature, or citizens seeking an hon
est count Of their votes. who disputed the ar
bitrary decisions of the cahvassinR board or
avowed their intention OF obtaining legal re-
dress for wrongs committed. We were told
that the Governor would be sustained by men
who were familiar with military tactics, who
were drilled for the occasion, and who were
ready TO overthrow courts, legislatures. and
all such lumber. For long time these men,
aces were laughed at a. the vaporings Of dis
appointed men defeated at the polls and enti-
tied to the naie nable right to grumble. But
as the cons piracy developed itself it became
evident that the advocates of force and frarh
were not INDUCING in idle talk. II was as
certained that
ARMED BANDS Of FusIoSisrs
were organized in different parts of the State
and were in communication with men who.
already familiar with disloyalty and resist
ance 20 constituted authority, were conduct
ing the plot at Augusta. Armed men were
found III the Capitol itself
BLACK AND BLOOD
insolcntly demanded that the commander of
the Suite militia should surrender his author
ity to them. Messages were sent into nearly
every county requiring the organized bands
pledged to support the conspiracy to make
their appearance at Augusta to seize upon
and hold the State House.
For the most part members of the Fusion
party have denied any knowledge of the ex-
siencc of these armed bands of conspirators,
and for the most part honestly. The knowl-
edge has been keep from them. Conspirators
do NOT take into their councils nearly one-half
of the voters of the State in which they are
working their plot and doing their work. Only
adventurous spirit, or men blinded mad-
dened Gy fana,icism are chosen "a the the in
strumcnts of violence. The rest are dupes
to be led astray by vehemcnce Of party spirit
or extreme partisan bigotry. The agency
upon which the conspirators relied was the
oath -bound organization mentioned above,
whose circles" were comprised of but TWEEN
~ men each, indoctrinated with communistic
theories and sworn to their maintenance
through violence aud bloodshed. Ii WAS AS
sumed that n few active, INSCRIPTIONS men
could shape affairs could mark out a course
OF action and by taking it lead their follow
crs the fame bad wav. The initiative once
once taken it was believed that party spirit
and the fattering hope of success would car
ry the plot to a prosperous end.
TENTATIVE EXPERIMENTS
were undertaken. The canvassing board at
first stole Senate. then House, then dis
regarded the judicial opinion of the Supreme
Court aud constituted n fraudulent legisla-
turc. The fraudulent legislature, thus con
stituted, tried the temper of its hesitating
supporters still further, organized a tull State
government, elected a thing it called a Gov
ernor, and went on playing at the business of
legislation. From the first there was much
grumhlng. The men who voted for Fusion
recognized their defeat, and declined TO sane
ton by their approval the stealing of seats.
The conspirators had mistaken the peo-
pie. They had relied overmuch upon the
strength of party feeling. But they had
gone too far To retreat. They still hoped,
by the use of their armed bands to capture
+ the State House. and relied upon the wonder
and mute astonishment which bold act ex-
cites, for immunity. That is the story of the
contemplated attack upon the State House
which was only foiled by the prompt action
of Gov Davis and his advisers.
The SECRET SOCIETIES.
The agencies upon which they relied were.
as has already been said, the secret societies
organized and set in motion by the Commun-
istic orators who stumped the State last Sum.
mer and scattered incendiary documents BY
the Cart-load.
''TIor Doors"
: Meat tor Men," and other tracts denouncing
all constituted authorities as engaged in a
conspiracy to rob the poor and laboring pes-
pie, and advising armed resistance to what
was called The tyranny of governments and
OF courts, were spread about. The people
were invited to organize and arm arainst
their "uppressors, and circulars were dis
tribuied {" those who wished to form IAN
army of bayonet holders" to sweep the gov
eminent from the earth. Those who listened
to the grecnback doctrines were assured that
by lss0 there would be a club, with its weap-
ons and its drill-msster, in every township
I IN the United States, sworn to carry out the
( purpose Of the League and to overturn the
existing order of things. The chairman of
the national committee appointed to carry out
these subversive plans, WAS Mark NJ. Pome-
roy, infamous as notorious upholjer of the
Rebellion and an instigator of vile plots to
overthrow the Union and secure the triumph
( ut the Southern arms. With characteristic
etiroutery and ego,ism he named the band of
clubs the "B. Z. L.
"BRIck PoNERor LEAGUE"
To these clubs he issued documents advising
secession from the government. and plumber
ct The rich, calling to his followers to sight
the gun directly at the black hearts ofbond.
holders, and telling men of property that they
deserve to have their banks broken op.n.
their houses plundered. their furniture stolen,
their possessions eonhscsted,'' These are
literal quotations from the iucendiary docu-
menis sent over this State by Pomeruy.l He
called upon them TO shoot Congressman who
supported old and well established principles
OF finance. and unless Reputation was de-
creed to '-oserthrow the government, vine
out the indebtedness of the United States, and
commence anew" He advised the orvanixa-
nm, afr. mat, 81