The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-08-04

Some time since the 1ntGllGcnccr
called attention to the fact that In some
sections Of West. Virginia secret free
silver clubs were bing formed by free
silver Democrats, and, under the claim
that they were "non-part!san." efforts
were being made to induce Republicans
10 io!n them. the intention being to en-
trap them into taking an obligation TO
vote for none but free silver men for
citic,. II was. of course, simply shrewd
Democratic trick TO entrnp Republicans,
but the timely exposure served to put
the latter on their guard and little has
been heard OF these secret 'non-parti-
san" organizations OF late.
The IntellIgencer Is enabled. however.
10 completely Nexpose, this morning, n
similar movement, but which has for
It's purpose something else beside the
propagation OF the free silver heresy.
There Is In the southern purt OF the
state number OF secret oath-bIund
societies. In which the members are
s0lemnly sworn never 10 scratch DEM
ocratic ticket, and to do without ques-
tlon any political work which they may
be called upon to do by the order.
II seems almost incredible that such
an un-American and despIc1.ble organi-
zation should exist In the name OF
Democracy within the limits OF the state
OF West Virginia It seems stranger
still that the head and front OF the or
sanitation should be leaders of the
Democracy, some OF whom hold Office.
and that the solh purpose Is TO SO bind
the members by Nthe sacrcdness OF IN
oath, that, no matter what. the provo
cation or conditioun. they are not free
TO exercise their right OF citizenship as
their consclences may dictate. Just how
general the organization is and how
numerous Its membership Is cannot at
this time be ascertained. but the Intel
ligencer Is possessed OF Information that
It Is being secretaly formed In several
sections.
Strong in Summers County.
In Summers county 1t Is very strong.
and constitutes tha Democratic ma
chine In that county. There are several
lodges. all organized by well known
notary public, who is empowered by the
state of West Virginia to administer
an oath which the members are given
10 understand Is legally binding. The
strictest secrecy has always been MAIN
tained hesnecting this organization, and
It's tSlsttHCe lldS htllG utIll'tl, us Will
be observed by the ritual which the
Intslligenccr reproduccs, that 4 part OF
the obligation Is NOT TO TELL OF ITS
EXISTENCE. 1t was organized about
one year ago, and includes In its nem-
berShip a number OF the county officials
and candidates on the county ticket,
besides many other OF the leading DEM
ocrats
The Intel,iGencer has come into pos
session OF A copy of the ritual which Is
used In the initIatory ceremony. includ-
ing the iron-clad oath administered to
candidates for admission. and publishes
It herewith. The original. which Is 4
small tour-page pamphlet, IS In this
office, and may be seen by any one
doubling Its existence. The order Is
known as the Excelsior League. and on
the title page OF the ritual are the words
Excelsior Lenguc-lS95." showing that
the organization Is at least n year old
The objects OF the order are fully set
forth In the ritual, the full text Of which
Is as follows:
The Ritual.