The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-06-09

war in Detroit, war in Lansing and
III every town and city of the North. "
But troops were raised and went for
ward unmolested. In the fall of 1901
a rumor was started that a secret
organization of the sympathizers of
the South had been started in Mich
igan, and was spreading into the other
northern states. The people became
somewhat alarmed. Government de-
tectives were put to work, and the
rumor was found TO be correct. The
paper threatening the '.fre iR the
rear" was accused of heading the
movement, which it strenuously de-
MED. 1t appeared, however, that the
editorial staff of the paper was not a
unit in disloyalty, or was anxious TO
convince the administration that the
paper was not aiding the conspiracy,
for one ofits editors furnished the gov
eminent with a letter from an organ
izing deputy to the head officer of the
movement, whose name was given as
''R. NJ. g., Esq"
That letter from North Branch, La
peer county, Mich, under date of
October 5, 1901, gave the government
information which led to the full dis
covery of the secret conspiracy, and
the arrest and Imprisonment of several
persons charged with reasonable
work. The work of the government
was by secret detectives and was not
made public; but, after the trouble
had subsidized, a copy of the letter re-
ferred to was given TO the press, and
never heard its authenticity denied.
The letter is quite lengthy and the
whole of it would make interesting
reading at this time, but a single ex-
tract will suffice to indicate the purpose
of the organization:
lit is not difficult to convince an
honest, intelligent man that the only
way left to restore the honor and res
cue the constitution from beneath the
feet of the tyrant, where it is now
lying, is TO insure by concerted action
throughout the North the success of the
South; until tired and Disguised the
conservative element is strong enough
y,
the army of the South, overrun the
North like hurricane, sweeping the
administration into eternity, or at
least driving them into complete and
unconditional submission.
a counter organization called Gun
ion League" was inaugurated. never
learned from what source or by whori
bers were pledged TO support the adj
ministration and army with all of the
influence they possessed; and the use
OF such means at their command as
might be necessary. The organization
spread like wild fire, and il was be-
lieved that nearly every loyal man in
the North of suitable age and ability
was enrolled. The name of the organ
ization and its existence were among
its secrets.
Among those who opposed the war
and favored the South, were a few
who were free TO express their feel
ings, and seemed TO rejoice over every
reverse of the union army. But this
did not prevent loyal men, regardless
of political affiliations, from enlisting
and going forward to the conflict, but
rather encouraged them. The legis-
lature again convened in special ses
sion in January, 1862, and passed a
general law for organizing the militia
of the state, and other acts deemed
necessary for strengthening the army.
l have given this brief recital of
events TO show the alarming condition
of the country when the members of
the succeeding legislature were elect
ed, in November, 1862; and to indi-
cate that it was not strange that some
members were elected who were bit
terly opposed to the war and would
endcavor to obstruct all measures for
its prosecution. The legislature of
1868 convened on the first Wednesday
of January. Hon. 5. NJ. Cutcheon of
Detroit was elected speaker.
1t was evident from the outset that
bitter and determined opposition to
all war measures would be made by
strong and united minority, led by
Ex-Judge Abner Pratt and a few
other able and radical members. AS
in the previous legislature, PARTISAN
ship was 20 some extent laid aside,
and the opposing forces were known
as loyal and disloyal to the admins