Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 August 1889 — THE INDIANA CATILINES. [ARTICLE]

THE INDIANA CATILINES.

It wonld be well for Indianians whose memories do not go back to the days of the war to read that part of the life of Lincoln, in the Augast Century , which relates to the Knights of the Golden Circle. Democratic papers seldom refer to this episode in their party’s history, and then only to befog the truth and convey the impression to the ignorant that many of the charges are campaign lies. In this history of Onooln all the statements are verified by official records, and naught is set down in malice. But brief space is given

to the organization and its doings, but the historical fact is recorded that in the office of Daniel W. Yoorhees, at Terre Haute, large numbers of the ritual of the order were discovered. Enough is told, too, to show the infamous purpose of the Knights, and that if was only lack of courage that led to the failure of their programme of murder and rapine. Speaking of Lincoln's charitable doubt thatloo,ooo men in Indiana were traitors to

their country, the historians say; “They were sufficiently disloyal to take all manner of oaths against the government; to be ready in their secret councils to declare they were ready to shed the last drop of their blood to abolish it, and to express their ardent sympathies with its enemies and their detestation of its officers and supporters.” The further comment that “these rural Catilines were never quite ready to risk their own skins ©for their so-called principles,” though well put, does not lessen their disloyalty. They were willing to betray their government into the hands of the rebels, but were too cowardly to do so when the critical moment came. It is an unpleasant chapter in the annals of Indiana, bat facts are facts. —lndianapolis Journals

The last Legislature appropriated $5,000 to defray the expenses us a series of Farmers’ institutes, to be held throughout the State, under the supervision of the faculty of Purdue University, “for the purpose of giving farmers and others interested therein instructions in agriculture, horticulture, agricultural chemistry and economic entomology.” It is rnmored that ox-Governor Gray is trying to have tariff reform added to the subjects to be taught. It seems incredible that he would attempt to manipulate the institutes for political purposes, but it would be quite in keeping with his methods. He will bear watching all the time. —Indianapolis Journal.