The National tribune., 1899-10-26
GREAT COPPERHEAD
CONSPIRACY
CONTINUED from first page. }

american Knights" seems to have had it
origin, he becoming the Supreme Com
mander of the Northern section, and Price
modifying his Corps de Belgique" so as
to make it the Southern section of the
o. A. K, with himself as Supreme Com
mander.
Vallandigham was accordingly aided
by the rebel Government to make his es-
cape through the blockading fleet to Cana
da, whittier he fled to establish his head
quarters as the Supreme Commander of
the Northern section of the Order, and
where he now is as its recognized head.
Soon after his arrival there he had a con-
ference with the master spirits OF his llk
from the various States, especially those OF
the West. l annex a letter which has
fallen into my hands, Of the genmineness
which there is no doubt, from Christian
Kribben, esq.,, of this city, which throws
some light on the subject, and can leave
no doubt as to the objects and purposes Of
the parties conferring with him.
About the 1st Of January last Vallan-
digham, as Supreme Commander, issued
an address to the different lodges through
out the States, Of which have obtained
a copy, which discloses fully the traitorous
purposes of the Order. 1t deserves atten-
ton. 1t is too lengthy to insert in the
body of this report. l can not refrain,
however, from making some quotations
from it here. Read the following:
SUPREME COMMANDERS ADDRESS.
Brothers! Again renew your solemn
vows! Swear at your hearthstones, at
the affairs consecrated to your household
godSi Swear in the holy sanctuary where
your fathers worshiped, at their tombs, and
by their sacred memories! that L Will at
all times, if need be, take up arms in the
cause of the oppressed, in my own country
first of all, against any monarch, prince,
potentate, power, or Government usurped,
which may be found in arms and waging
war against people or peoples who are
endeavoring to establish, or have inaugu-
rated, Government for themselves, OF their
own free choice, in accordance with and
founded upon the eternal principles Of
truth! This do promise, without regard
to the name, station, or designation OF the
invading power, whether it shall arise
within or come from without Again:
That / will never take up arms in behalf
Of any, monarch, prince, or Government
which does not recognize the sole authority
of power to be the will of the goyerne, ID
expressly and distinctly declared, nor in
any cause or service as mercenary.
Thus have ypu sworn at the affairs OF our
Order, in TIE presence of God and the broth
ers assem- 5led. The time is near when
those VOWS must be redeemed. The des-
potism which has crushed us under its iron
heel so long is the Government usurped'
which is found in arms and waging war
against our noble States, and would de-
grade them from sovereignties to the mean
condition of dependencies of centralized
This extract is sufficient in itself, but
give another:
"Such picture, gloomy, dark, and blood
marked, the contemplation of which man
ties with the blush of shame the cheek OF
manhood, is exhibited upon every spot OF
orr once bright and beautiful land which
hy vDn6lt
Federal army. Brothers! You, the noble,
gallant men, citizens of the great States
within the bonds of our brotherhood which
are vet unscathed by the flames OF war, to
YOU | appeal! Contemplate the picture
thus but too dimly sketehed, and say,
Justice to witness the sincerity of your VOWS,
this picture shall not be reproduced upon
our homes and fair fields. -.
| Again:
| go be prepared for the crisis now ap-
preaching we must catch from afar the
earliest and faintest breatmngs OF thf
spirit of the storm. To be successful
| when the storm comes we must be watch
full, patient, brave, confident, organized
| armed"
| A meeting of General Commanders o.
the different States was to have been held
in the City of New York on the 22d OF FEB
rlary last to organize an outbreak on the
10th of March, that being the expected
occasion of the draft for the raising ol
troOps. but for some reason or other the
conspirators became alarmed, shrank from
their own undertaking, and finally post
poned their meeting until consultation
could be had with Vallandigham, the Su
preme Commander. One Of these consulta
lions took place at Windsor, Canada, IL
the quarters occupied by Vallandigham
on the - of April last, at which some 30
odd prominent characters from differen
States were present. Being aware of the
intended meeting myself, / sent an agen
TO follow Charles l.. Hunt, ESQ.,, then Bel
gian Consul in this city, who is Grand Com
mander of this State, to that Convention.
OF the program adopted at that meeting
of the Supreme Council | may have some
thing to say, after having presented to yol
something more of the character OF thu
organization, its degrees, and rituals. i
has five degrees. L am III possession o.
printed copies of all of them. BY reference
to it it will be seen that this Is a diluted
dose for novices The vulgar nerd are
admitted into the mysteries of the ordel
only thus far, and, once thuS entrappec
under the solemnity of an oath, they be
come the blind and willing instruments o1
the more intelligent, who are admitted tt
the second and third, and of the compare
lively few who are alone allowed admission
Into the fourth and highest.
| / will not here dilate on the character
}of the obligations taken by this Order
l may, however, give the following ex
tracts from the obligation assumed on be
coming member Of the Order, to show the
consequences denounced upon those re
vealing any OF its secrets.
<NT,