The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-04
THE BAND OF GIDEON.
A Side Degree Attached to the Alliance
for Political Purposes.

A Side Degree Attached to the Alliance
for Political Purposes.
The Journal publishes card from J. F.
w. Vernon of Hartwell, exposing the
"Gideon's Band" of the alliance of Georgia.
Mr.. Vernon made his first exposure Of this
secret, oath-bound organization, formed
within the ranks of the alliance for the pur-
pose Of controlling the politics of the order
on May IA, in q speech at Livonia, Frank
lin county. His meager exposure OF such
an organized conspiracy created a sensa>
ton throughout the state at the time, and
his published statement to-day will add fuel
to the flame. Mr.. Vernon says:
1T was while l was in attendance on the
state alliance as a delegate from Hart
county, however, that | first learned the
existence of this band.
"Mr. de Jarnette of Greene county told
me all know about the organization. He
said that he was authorized to get up such
a band in each county in the Eighth con-
gressional district and that a man had been
appointed to do the same work in each Of
the other districts.
LIKE FREEMAsONRY.
ST was told that 'Gideon's Band was
something like Freemasonry-one degree
higher than the regular alliance, and that
it would not conflict with my political or
religious views. Being a Mason, knew
that if it was like Masonry it was a good
thing so with this assurance from Mr.. de-
Jarnett, Brother MacFarlan and myself
were initiated into what we afterward
found to be one of the foulest machines of
political corruption ever concocted on
American soil.
"As it seems to be something new under
the SUM- would like to know who printed
all OF deJarnett's blanks, for he had lot
with him. The initiation fee was 80. | was
to pay him when got the band made I'D
in the county.
~ consider such an organization clear
case OF conspiracy against the principles of
the alliance, aud | would, therefore, have
nothing to do with it as soon as discovered
its real nature.
D'JARNETT WAS CREsTFALLEN.
"When DIR. Robbins was on his rounds
lecturing the county alliances in the Eighth
district last fall. DR.. de Jarnett was with
him, and they came to my house. deJarnett
then wanted to know if l had the band
ready for him to organize. told him had
done nothing. l saw at once that he was
crestfallen, for he had lost his golden fleece. ,
This is all l know personally about
'Gideon's Band l have heard Of some
thing that happened at Ocala that gave rise
to the band which, IL proved to be true,
would be worse than dynamite in the third
Brother McFarlan who joined the band
the same time did, was at Lavonia when l
exposed the thing. He is a truthful man,
and knew l could appeal to him to correct
then and there any false statement might
make.
M'FARLAN DIDN'T DENY IT.
Brother McFarlan didn't say word In
answer to my statement, as every one pres
ent at Lavonia that night will testify.
am sorry that he or any other good man
should suffer himself to be shorn of his
locks by a Delilah and fall into the hands Of
the Philistines"
Mr.. Vernon said that he hoped the demo-
cratic press of the state would give pub
Lofty to his statement in justice to him. II
cannot be heard much longer" he said, las
am in my 10th year; but still love my
God. my country. my wife and children
and white supremacy. 1 hope and pray
that the last trace Of the third party may
be wiped out at this falls election, never to
be- resurrected for the sake of greed and