The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-04-18
A Secret Organization In the Interest of
Gresham's Presidential Aspirations.


Some time since the Chicago Mail published
an account of the existence of secret oath.
bound organization, whose chief object was the
election of Judge Walter Q. Gresham 10 the
presidency Of the United States The story
was mildly discussed by the press, and Judge
Gresham was interviewed concerning his
knowledge of such Il society. He said that he
did not know of any organization having his
election as the reason of its existence. The
udd, however, AYERS that there is an organiza-
ton, which now covers every state and terri
tory in the union has councils, or companies"
as they are called, in three-fourthS OF the inn
portant towns; has twelve brances OF the organ
izatiOn in Chicago, and more than hundred in
the state of Ilinois--the National Order OF
Nidettes.
The constitution OF the body does not explic-
lily declare the nomination and election of
Judge Gresham 10 be the leading motive Of the
organization but the movement was started in
Gresham's interest solely, because the founders
of il thought him 10 be the fttest man for the
position. His name was not incorporated in
the constitution because some unforeseen event
might render il impossible for him 10 be nom-
mated, or TO accept the honor If rendered 10
him.
The system Of organization is on a military
plan, the state organizations being known as
"brigadeS," which are divided into regiments
and Companies The greatest care is exer-
cised in the selection of members of the organ-
cation. No one may become a member by APP
plicatiOn because outsiders have not hitherto
known that such an organization existed, and
even now will not know TO whom 10 apply
should they wish to Join the order. The method
OF obtaining membership is this: In the com
pany" meeting some "Othcer or private sug-
geSts the name of some one who would, IN his
opinion. make a good enlisted man." A COM
mttee is then appointed to investigate the re-
cruit's reputation, socinl standing and political
affiliations and inclnations. Should the report
of this committee be satisfactory the desired
member is elected ION probation" and another
committee is appointed whose duty il is TO in
teryiew the unconscious member and learn his
views and opinions as to Judge Greshams avail
ability as a presidential candidate, and on
the principles OF the order Should his express
siOnS be in harmony with the objects OF the
order, the ACCESSIBILITY of having some organiza-
tiCn OF men OF his views is suggested, and II he
cOnicsses 10 a desire 20 help organize such
body he is partially paralyzed by being in
formed that such an organization Is already IN
existence, with membership Of 100000 picked
men, and that he had been elected TO .c0mrade-
ship in it. He is then told where to find the
tent" and az the next meeting takes the oath
OF membership. This obligation is very strict,
ana the recruit binds himself TO submit TO the
penalty provided for treason, should he be dis
loyal to his oath.
From a prominent Indiana republican the
foregoing particulars were obtained by a re-
porter for the Mail This gentleman, being an
ardent Gresham man, was made a sort OF an
honorary member of the videtteS, without being
required 70 take oath.
The national order of videttes was organized
a little more that year ago." said he, almost
simultaneously in Indianapolis and Chicago.
The movement was small at first, and its pres
ent form was not assumed for quite while
after lis inception. We support Judge Gresh-
am because he is the only prominent republican
who, in opinion, can be elected"
"Will Judge Gresham adopt and indOrse your
PLATFORM
''Well we have good reason TO think that he
does and will. We have been making quiet
but very active campaign. People and press
have been astonished at what seemed 10 be q
spontaneous uprising of public opinion in
favor of Gresham. Ii you have noticed the ex-
preston in favor of his candidacy crops out
everywhere. Meetings indorse him, newspa-
pers hoist his name 10 the tops Of their col
umns. political clubs resolve to support him.
and all apparently without any concert of ae-
ton. All this show of support and sympathy
and public favor for Gresham is, with few ex-
ceptions, directly the work OF the videttes. The
videttes now include very many of the leading
republicans and not few of the prominent
democrats OF the country. can tell you with
a tolerable certainty what will be done at the
Chicago convention. l do not think Gresham ;
name will come up till after few ballots have
been had, and then his name will be presented,
probably by Illinois, and the next ballot will
nominate him."