Daily Times [Leavenworth, Ks], August 4, 1861
The Louisville Journal publishes a complete exposition of the objects and rites of the Knights of the Golden Circle, taken from their secret documents. Of these documents, the Journal says: “That they are authentic, we give our solemn assurance as an editor and as a man.” It appears that the primary design of the order, is the conquest of a portion of Mexico, and its conversion into a slave-holding monarchy. But the order has also been a valuable auxiliary to the secession movement, and has been the chief instrument in precipitating the people of the South into rebellion and revolution.
A leading feature of this infamous association is the proscription of foreigners and Catholics. This is in perfect harmony with the spirit of aristocracy and intolerance prevalent among the leaders of the chivalry, and shows that they aim at the destruction of every liberal principle in our form of government. Such doctrines will increase the abhorrence in which they are held by the people of the loyal States. For, we rejoice to say, that the patriotic devotion of the foreign-born citizens to their adopted land, as exhibited by their recent brave services in its defence, has swept from the North the last vestige of Know Nothing bigotry and prejudice.
That feature of the K. G. C., which looks to the establishment of a monarchial government in the territory they propose to seize, is also important and suggestive. It is another evidence that the public sentiment of the South is gradually becoming hostile to republican institutions. Thus slavery and political despotism go hand in hand.