Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-10-30
THE VIDETTES.
A Secret MiIltary-PolltlcaI Order
Within Two Secret Organizations,
A Startling Revelation
or Montague, Cooke, Denton, Dallns,
Warrant, Wise. Jack, Parker
and Clay Counties.
The Mutual and Oath OF tho Now Secret
Order - Its Purposes and
aims.
Bowie Crosse Timbers.
DEEP, DARK AND DANEABLsl.

Bowie Crosse Timbers.
DEEP, DARK AND DAMNABIE.
While canvassing Montague county
with the Hon. r. G. Brensford, Demo.
cratic nominee for the Twentieth legisla-
ture, In the north part Of the county, we
approached a crowd of citizens discussing
as TO whether there Is not another secret
political order than the alliance and the
Knights OF Labor. One OF the party seid
he believed such an order did exist, from
the fact of certain strange and mysterious
actions Of some one or two Of bis neigh
bOrs. The speaker said he was member
of the alliance and Knights Of Labor, and
was entitled 70 know what was done and
SAID in any OF the meetings He noticed
these neighbOrs would go 10 Bowie to at
tend meeting, as they said, but gave no
satisfaction about what was to be done,
and gave none on their return, although
questioned about Il. He could
not learn whether II was en- alliance or
Knight OF Labor meeting. Our curiosity
Was on the tIp-toe of anxiety
TO know something of this
dark and mysterious organization,
and we piled question after question, but
learned nothing more then. Next morn
ing before leaving the place, u stranger
came Ito us with an envelope marked
"for publication" and on opening we
found two small pamphlets, one, the con-
stitutlon OF the National Order of vi
dettes OF the State OF Texas aud the other
was the ritual. This man then told 70
that this Order of videttes existed Ia
Montague, Cooke, Denton, Dallas, Tar
rant, Wise, Jack, Parker and Clay coun-
ties. That as he understood 1t, but one
bivouac could exist 10 q county; that its
objects and purposes were to direct the
uniformed people OF the country in Sc
cret and 10 formulate certain opinions on
political matters, and secure their adop-
ton In the alliance and knights of Labor
orders and influence elections. He further
stated that none but the very select
gained admission, such as were suitable
TO become leaders and good advocates OF
whatever subject WAS entrusted to their
care. This same party gave US the names
OF all he could remember who belong TO
this high-sounding-titled institution,
among them some noted Dye-Mound
nominees, and further said that the small
fry and lay members of tho alliance and
Knights OF Labor orders were In total
darkness OF any such institution, or that
they were led by this organized set Of se-
cret political bosses. Now, we hope the
readers OF the Cross T1mbers will read
the constitution and ritual OF this re-
inarkable order. We have ever en-
deavored to be true to the best interest
OF our county, and have OF late been
turning the light on everything of q
dark and cloudy character. Here Is a
question for you to investigate. We
have heard the cry of "bossismn and
"town rings" long enough. Those who
cry and SWIVEL over this county about
bosstsm and town rings, are themselves
organized into secret band of bosses OF
the most contemplate and spernicious
character that ever was permitted to run
at large on American soil. We have faith
In the Intelligence of Montague and sister
counties, and believe the whole
scheme Of these frauds will soon
be dropped by all intelligent and
honest citizens In the gutter, and al
lowed TO sink into oblivion like any
other foolish abortion. These secret
bosses have all along Intended to carry
their points by a piece OF skullduggery
the like OF which cannot be found In the
history of this country. Rise up, fellow
citizens, above such designing and un-
scrupulous frauds, and assert your in-
alienable rights guaranteed you by Demo
cratic government. Vote the straight
Democratic ticket on election day, keep
out OF the bivouac OF bosses, aud above
al huh 1MtaN NEVER 10 feFeal anything
you may see or hear while assembled IN
bvouac, or the existence OF the same -
Here is the constitution,
DECLARATION or PURPOSES.
Tho gulf which separates the capitalist
from the laborer IL rapidly charging
enormous fortunes on the one hand /;
idleness and absolute destitu,lon on the
Others labor secretly organizing against
capital on the other, These are facts Of
fearful and ominous Import, and Justify
the organization OF secret order to
counterbalance the evils threatening on
either hand, and TO restore aud keep for
the people equal rights TO lite, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness. we. there
fore, in the language OF our fathers, de-
clare;
1--WE hold these truths TO he self-evi-
denti that all,mgn are createdIequal, that
they are endowed 10y their Creator with
certain lnalienable rights; that among
these are life, liberty aud the pursuit OF
happiness that to secure these rights
governments are instituted among men,
deriving their just powers from the CON
sent Of the governed. That whenever any
form Of government becomes destructive
OF these ends IL is the right OF the people
10 alter or abollsh IL. aud to establish a