The daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1904-1905, 1904-06-14

bers who were strangers to one an
recognize their fellow members. In
all, there were five degrees in the Or
der, all Of which were under the di-
rection of an officer, called the "Gen-
eral Commander who was located
in each state. The first, or Neophyte,
degree had for its password "Nu-Oh-
Lac,' which was the word Calhoun
reversed. AS this was only an initia-
tory degree, the Neophyte was still in
ignorance of the true character of the
Organization, having joined it probab-
| ly for political purposes, yet, bound
| by two solemn Oaths-One always to
called upon by his party, and the
other imposing death upon him, if,
even under torture, he should dis
close any of the secrets or the name
low the commands Of the trusted few
belonging to the higher degrees. Thus
the mass was kept in the dark in re-
card TO their leaders, motives, while
they. through wealth, influence, or,
peculiar fitness, held the superior Of
fees.
! Among these leaders. Nallandiylam
was the chief. while in each state
were placed the Grand Commander
! The exact membership has never been
officially reported, but estimates have
been placed as high as 100000 mem
bers. In Illinois there were $4,000
men we'll armed and organized out of
total Of 10000. Indiana had about
100000 members. while in Ohio about
10000 out of 10000 were drilled and
ready to 90 at any time. From 60
| to 20 thousand were in Kentucky.
| New York City alone was 10000
strong and St. Louis 5000. In the
east the order was not 50 strong, vet
it was rapidly and steadily increas-
inc. In Michigan and the more north
ern states it was not 50 great in num-
bers.
The leading members were engaged
in recruiting and secretly training
men for the Rebel service. Others
were located in express and telegraph
offices. where they would send private
packages Of ammunition or disclose
official matters of benefit to members.
Besides these, many members held
trusted governmental positions, such
i as that Of mayor, governor and one
man, Mr.. Chase, Secretary Of the
Treasury at Washington. at one time
exchanged 100000 for 5000 sent in by
the Rebels. The women sympathizcrs
We're extensively engaged in snug
Cling mails, medicines and ammuni-
ton to the Confederates; but semi
monthly mail routes were established
in several places west Of the Missis-
sippi. More daring members stole
,hOrSes from a governmental corral
near Louisville. 1t was also ascer-
tanned that at one time leading
Louisville member had spent over
for Rebel supplies Many hazardous
plans were proposed for final out
break Of the intended rebellion. but
the one decided on was to be made
lin Chicago, a few days previous to
the Democratic convention TO be held
there in July, 1864. Here the Grand
Commanders of each state were to
come. each having with him about
, one hundred armed men. and, at the
arrival of Vallandigham from Cana
da. the outbreak would be made
But the secret could not be kept
Government officials having received
anonymous letters regarding its true
character. Immediately set spies to
work. These spies joined the order
and attended the meetings in various
= localities, thus finding out the leaders
and character of the society. These
leaders were then arrested and made
to make statements under oath, after
having taken the oath of allegiance
Others fearing prosecution, and dis
ousted with the reasonable charac-
y ter Of the organization, broke THEN
solemn oaths, deserted and made free
will testimonies to the government
: authorities. Thus with their leaders
arrested. detectives in their societies
- their aims disclosed and their mem
bors deserving them this great evi
> almost Of its own accord withcrei
- away and sank into insignifcanct
and our nation was freed from {
great danger. which might hav,
5 meant destruction.
|