Fremont Journal

THE CONSPIRACY TO ESTABLISH A NORTH-WESTERN CONFEDERACY.
The brief notice we gave last week of the organized attempt to overthrow the Federal Government by the removal of Mr. Lincoln and the establishment of a North-western Confederacy, was too brief to be satisfactory. Since then we have been put in possession of more of the details of this astounding and wicked conspiracy against the nation's life. The revelations made to the Provost Marshal of St. Louis (by men whom he had arrested, show nothing less than this; a numerous desperate body of men have banded together to carry out purposes as revolting to contemplate. Convicted of their guilt and alarmed at this unseasonable exposure of their shame, the Democracy are making vain attempts to don the body of conspirators.
The testimony elicited at St. Louis has been forwarded by Gen Rosecrans to Washington, and we shall probably soon have an authoritative exposure of the whole affair. In the meantime we synopsize some of the leading features of the conspiracy, as furnished by a St. Louis correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette. He says:
The order is a secret one It is called by different names in different localities or States, and is known among its members by these initials, written thus: O. A. K. Its real object is to embarrass and thwart the administration of the general government in the conduct of the war, and to overthrow the Government, if that be necessary to secure the supremacy of the order.
The idea on which the organization is predicated is that Abraham Lincoln is a usurper and that it is not only the right but duty of all true democrats to drive him from his seat, even by force. To make this evident read the following part of the oath:
"In accordance with the principles upon which is founded the American theory, Government can exercise only delegated powers; hence if those who shall have been chosen to administer the Government shall assume to exercise powers not delegated, they should be regarded and treated as usurpers."
The meaning of this to leave no doubt here explained in the same obligation still further by these words:
The reference to inherent power, as also to existing necessity, on the part of the functionary for the sanction of any arbitrary exercise of power by him, we will not accept in palliation or excuse.
The Order of American Knights, as it is termed, is built upon the ruins of the Knights of the Golden Circle. The chief commander of the new order is the rebel General Price. While Vallandigham was at Richmond, he was made commander of the northern section.— He then proceeded to Windsor, Canada, to complete the organization of the northern section. Among those who are said to have aided him are such men as William B. Reed, of Philadelphia; George H. Pendleton and George E. Pugh, of Ohio; Christian Cribben, of St. Louis; Wilbur F. Storey and Merrick, of Chicago.
On the 10th of last March it was decided to inaugurate an outbreak, but for some reason it was adjourned. A meeting was subsequently held in April at Windsor, when a programme was agreed upon which will be forthcoming before long.
The obligations of this order are of a truly astonishing character. A few extracts from them will show their nefarious character:
"I solemnly promise that I will never reveal or make known to any person or persons, by sign or signs, word or words, nor in any other manner, the ceremonies in which I have just taken part, nor the names nor persons who have participated with me, nor any single word nor thing which I have heard or seen herein."
"I do solemnly promise and swear sacredly to observe, perform and keep, with a full knowledge and understanding, and with my full assent, that the penalty which will follow a violation of any or either of these my solemn vows will be a shameful death."
Of the strength of the organization the following statements are made:
Between 20,000 and 30,000 in Missouri; nearly 150,000 in Illinois, of whom 80,000 are well armed and organized; 100,000 in Indiana; nearly 100,000 in Ohio, of whom one-half were well armed and organized; in Kentucky, from 60,000 to 70,000; in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, already very strong, are rapidly on the increase; in Michigan, Iowa and other western States, not yet very strong, nevertheless making rapid progress, A principal officer of the organization in New York State, where it is known as the McClellan Minute men, has stated its strength in that State at over 200,000."
The programme agreed upon in Windsor last April was that Vallandigham must be sent back to his Congressional district and be made a delegate to the Chicago Convention. At Chicago he was to proclaim Lincoln a usurper and urge his removal by force. In this he was to be sustained by delegations, well armed, from the various lodges. His sudden return from Canada and appearance at the Congressional convention was to insure his being sent to Chicago.
Last January Vallandigham issued an address to the lodges or temples throughout the loyal States. The following is an extract from that address:
"Brothers, again renew your solemn vows.— Swear at your hearthstones at the altars consecrated to your household Gods! Swear in the holy sanctuaries where your fathers worshipped —at their tombs and by their sacred memories! that [here quoting the language of the obligations of the order "I 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 armed monarch, prince, potentate, power or government usurper, which may be found in arms and waging war against a people or peoples who are endeavoring to establish or have inaugurated a government for themselves of their own free choice, in accordance with, and formed upon, the eternal principles of truth!— This I do promise without regard to the name, station or designation of the invading power, whether it shall arise from within or come from without."
This is no matter of conjecture, but the most indubitable evidence is at hand, such as can not be gainsayed either by himself or his friends, or any one else. As already stated, the programme agreed upon for Vallandigham's demonstration at Chicago, if suppressed would lead to a general conflict between the people of the free states. Members of the order were expected to rise, kill and make prisoners of the civil and military authorities, such as governors, commanders of armies, commanders of departments, districts, posts, forts, &c., seize the arsenals, arms, public property of all kinds, and proclaim the revolution complete, But more of this hereafter.
The report goes on to show that the order is also used for the circulation of books, documents and publications of various kinds inculcating rebel views and sentiments. Agents belonging to the order are employed in the various states, for this purpose, and immense numbers are being secretly circulated by them. Prominent among those thus circulated are Pollard's Southern History of the War; Official Reports of the Confederate Government; Life of Stonewall Jackson; articles from the Metropolitan Record, and several other documents.
The letter to the Gazette concludes by showing the relations of this order to the Southern traitors, The recent murders in Missouri are only parts of a grand scheme which was to have been carried out about the 4th of July.
As there will shortly be a full exposition of the whole conspiracy, as developed by the men in St. Louis, we forbear further comment. The facts already developed show, however, to what a wicked audacity the traitors in our own midst are going.