[Little Rock] Old-Line Democrat, September 20, 1860
It is a fact well known to all who read the public journals of the day that there is a party in the Southern portion of this Union that has been organized for the purpose of colonizing Mexico. This party is known as the Knights of the Golden Circle, and have continued to increase so rapidly that from five men, they have in three years reached the formidable number of fifty thousand. These men were scattered through the country from the mountains of Virginia to the Gulf of Mexico, and for some time have been awaiting orders to concentrate at some point convenient to the scene of their future operations. Gradually these men have been sent through the country, and are now collecting on the confines of Texas. Already large numbers of them are concentrated in that State, and this nucleus is being surrounded by men from all the various States.
The first movement of the K. G. C’s from Virginia will take place to-morrow from the little town of Hampton. One company, in command of a competent officer and a worthy Virginia gentleman, will embark for Texas, and will then inaugurate the exodus of the K. G. C’s. That the object of this organization is to change the political and social principles of the country to which they go, there is little doubt, for they avow this their purpose; but they do not go unlawfully armed, at least from here; they profess to go as peaceful citizens and will revolutionize that unhappy country not by fire and sword, but by settling in sufficient numbers within its borders, and changing and making wholesome laws, and seeing that they are enforced. They are going to introduce Anglo-Saxon energy and American prudence among a people who have heretofore been incapable of self-government, and who are actually inviting them to come and teach them how to live and be happy.
The movement of these men toward the Rio Grande is pregnant with much importance to the South, and is the commencement of a grand programme that has been preparing for several years.—Norfolk Day Book.