The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-28
THE SONS OF LIBERTY CONSPIRACY.

The Scheme to Release Rebel Prisoners at
Indianapolis and Other Points.
Thompson's report to the confederate Secre-
tary of War concerning his operations in Can
ada, is now in the possession of the government,
having been purchased by the Treasury Depart
ment some years ago. with other valuable con-
federate papers. It was Endorsed at the confed-
crate War Department as follows: "Rec'd Feby.
'65 j. H. b.
The following are extracts
TORONTO, G. W., Dec. g. 864.
"Hon J. II. Benjamin, Secretary of state:
s'Sir-Several times have attempted to send
YOU communications but have no assurances
that any one of them has been received. have
relaxed no efforts to carry out the objects the
government had in view in sending me hereas
had hoped at different times to have TASS
complished more but still do not think ny
mission has been altogether fruitless At
all events we have afforded the northwestern
States the amplest opportunity to throw off the
CALLING dynasty at Washington and openly to
take ground in favor Of State rights and civil
liberty This fact must satisfy the large class
Of discontents at home of the readiness and
willingness of the administration to avail itself
of every proffered assistance in our great strug-
gle for independence On my arrival here
heard that there was such an organization as
the Order of the Sons of Liberty in the North
crn States, and my first effort was to learn it's
strength, its principles and its objects, ard, If
possible, to put myself in communication with
its leading spirits. This was effected without
much difficulty or delay. was received among
them with cordality, and the greatest confidence
at once extended to me. The number of its
members was large, but not so great as Mr.. Holt,
in his official report. represented it to be. Its
objects were political its principles were, that
the government was based upon the consent OF
the parties to it, that the States were the parties,
and were sovereign that there was no authority
in the general government! to coerce a seeding
State. The resolutions Of 1913 and 1909 were set
forth as presenting the true theory OF the gov
eminent. It's organization was essentially mill
tary it had its commanders OF divisions, Of
brigades, of regiments, and of companies.
'In the month of Juno last the universal feel
ing among it's members, its leaders and privateS,
was that it was useless to hold presidential
election. Lincoln had the power and would GER
tainly re-elect himself, and there was no hope
but in force. The belief was entertained and
freely expressed that by bold, vigorous and con-
certed movement the three great Northwestern
States of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio could
be seized and held This being done the
lifted from their PROSTATE condition and placed
on their feet, and this in sixty days
would end the war. While everything was NOV
ing on smoothly to a supposed successful con-
summation, the first interruption IN the calcuia-
ton was the postponement of the meeting of tho
Democratic convention from the 4th of July
to the 10Th of August; but preparations still went
on, and in one Of the States the 9th Of July was
fixed as the day for a movement. But before
the day arrived general council OF the order
from different States was called, and it was
thought the movement on the Goth of July would
be premature, and the 10th of August was fixed
upon for general uprising. This postponement
was insisted on upon the ground that it was nee
essary to have q series of public meetings to pre-
pare the public mind, and appointments for pub
lie peace meetings were made-one at Peoria.
one at Springfield and one at Chicago-on the
10th. The first one was at Peoria, and to make
it success / agreed that so much money
as was necessary would be furnished by
me. 1t was held, and was decided sue
cess The vast multitudes who attended seemed
to be swayed by but one. leading idea-peace.
TIKI friends were encouraged and strengthened,
and seemed anxious for the day when they
would do something to hasten them to the great
goal of peace. About this time that correspond
ence between our friends and Horace Greeley
made its appearance Lincoln's manifesto
shocked the country The belief In some way
prevailed over the North that the South would
agree to n reconstruction, and the politicians.
especially the leading ones, conceived the idea
that on such an issue Lincoln could be beaten at
the ballot box At all events, they argued that
the trial of the ballot box should be made before
q resort to force, always derner resort. The
Springfield meeting came of, but 1t was appar-
emit that the fire exhibited at Peoria had already
diminished-the whole tone of the speakers was
that the people must rely on the ballot box for
redress OF grievances, The nerves Of the leaders
of the orde began TO relax
about this time a large lot of arms were pur-
chased and sent to indianapolis, which was dis
covered. and some of the leading men were
charged with the design to arm the members OF
the order for reasonable purposes. Treachery
showed itself at Louisville. Judge Built and
DIR. Kalfus were arrested and sent to Memphis
The day on which the great movement was 10 be-
made known to Mr.. Mcdonald. candidate for
Governor of Indiana, and believing that it would
mar his prospects for election unless prevented.
ne threatened to expose all the parties engaged
unless the project was abandoned Thus the
day passed by and nothing was done. The Chi
cago convention came, the crowd was immense.
tho feeling was unanimous for peace q general