THE ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX]
August 18, 1860 - May 3, 1861
Note: very poor copy
http://www.uttyler.edu/vbetts/alamo_express.htm
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], October 22, 1860, p. 3, c. 3
This morning, (Tuesday) we were called upon by Maj. Chas. Bickley aid-de-camp to Gen. Bickley.—He seems a pleasant young gentleman and, though from reasons we consider good, we differ widely and have no sympathy with this movement as explained in Gen. Bickley's speech we hope that Maj. Bickley will find our city pleasant to him. He is stopping at the City Hotel.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], November 5, 1860, p. 1, c. 4
The "K. G. C."
Below we give from the Austin "Southern Intelligencer" an account of the speech of Gen. Bickley which meets the necessity of the case so well that we transfer it to our columns instead of going into a review of the speech as reported in the Herald.
["] The following placard was displayed in our city on last Wednesday:
K. G. C.
Gen. Geo. Bickley, President of the American Legion of K. G. C. will address the citizens of Austin on the character and aim of the Knights of the Golden Circle, at the Hall over Darden and Maynard's, this (Wednesday) evening at 7½ o'clock. The public is respectfully invited to attend.
As our people are not much given to running after sights [except the circus,] and would not be humbugged even by the Biological, Odological Dr. Hale, the notice of itself would have excited but little attention in these speaking days, but for the circulation of a pamphlet by the orator, who is understood to be the President of the "K. G. C."
This pamphlet produced some excitement among a number of our citizens, who otherwise would not have attended the meeting. Among the passages which look to the political aspect of the thing, we copy the following:
"The Knights of the Golden Circle constitute a powerful military organizations [sic], as a nuceleus [sic] around which to hang such political considerations as will, if well managed, lead to the disenthrallment of the cotton States from the oppressive majority of the manufacturing and commercial interests of the North."
"The great West was being rapidly settled by Europeans who arrived in our country with deep rooted pejudices [sic] against slavery, until the anti-slavery party was no longer confined to the manufacturing districts of New England, but like some fatal epidemic, it has spread over the whole North and West."
"The Republican or Northern party is abolitionized—the Southern party is gong rapidly to secession. All parties in the North are free-soil; all parties in the South are constitutionalists, and when the provisions of that instrument are violated, then our people are secessionists. It is quite true that there are many pro-slavery men in the North—men who have stood by us [illegible] there are men in the south who are in favor of the Union [illegible]—men who to preserve the Union, would give up the slave institutions of the Southern States, and re-enact the farce and folly of Jamaican Emancipation."
"It is then clear that the acquisition of Southern territory by the Federal Government is a dangerous experiment, and not to be countenanced for one moment."
"Northern men have been called to edit our papers and Northern women to educate and train our daughters. The one propagates abolitionism by insidious clippings of abolition arguments, and weak comments thereof; the other, while their conduct is, so far as we have observed in the main, irreproachable, by constantly reminding the child of our duty to be kind and affable, and that we are all the work of the Creator, and of one race, so impress the child's mind that by the time it arrives at maturity it is already abolitionized."
"The third division or degree is also divided into two classes, the "Foreign and Home Councils." This is the political or governing division. The "Home Council" is one of pure advisement, and takes no active steps. It is unknown to the public or the first division of the K. G. C., and intended to guard us against infractions of the law. Like other "Home" classes it enjoys advantages known only to the order. The Foreign Council is divided into ten departments, representing respectively the interests of agriculture, education, manufacture, finance, police, war, navigation, law and foreign relations. Also from the "Foreign Council" there is selected three classes as a high court of appeals and entrusted with the making laws for the government of the K. G. C. These classes represent respectively the interests of capital, manufacturing and mining interests, and the interests of commerce [?] and agriculture.
"Our people must present an unbroken front—no division should now be tolerated. The old party issues should be forgotten, and we should have but one Electoral Ticket in the South, and that should be for a representative man. We now need men who will step boldly out and declare themselves either for or against us. The disposition to "shirk" the question and issue is ill-adapted to the dangers which now threaten us. Let us know our friends and our enemies."
"There is a mercantile objection, [illegible] that the K. G. C. will not "pay." To this objection we refer to the history of the Hudson's Bay and East India Companies.—The K. G. C. is precisely such an association as those, and as they won empires for Great Britain, so may the K. G. C. for a Southern Confederacy."
"It would make the South strong in or powerful out of the Union."
"Let the people go to work in earnest and the South will soon be mistress of her own interests and destiny. Put off this crisis another term and we are lost. The border States are slipping from our grasp, and unless the people are aroused to a full sense of their danger, the Southern Confederacy will embrace only the cotton States." ["]
We have made our quotations this extensive because it saves the necessity of a full report of the speech, which was in sentiment to all extents and purposes the same.
It is true the speaker began by denying all political objects and purposes; and he patriotically advised the election of Breckinridge, Douglas or Bell, if either could defeat Lincoln.—He disavowed disunion objects—and yet he insisted that there are but two parties—a Northern and Southern party; and he sought to teach that there should be but these sectional parties and to doubt the patriotism of all who thought differently. He regarded it as a foregone conclusion, that if Lincoln was elected, resistance would surely follow, and the "K. G. C." would become the rallying army for the Southern disunionist.
He read the first and second degrees of the order, but not the third. As the first degree swears "allegiance to the order, &c., and the speaker invited any one not satisfied to ask questions, Judge Paschal, [Union elector] rose and said: "I am not satisfied with the oath, and I wish to inquire, whether the "Allegiance" which you swear rises above or in subordination to the Constitution and the laws of the United States and of the respective States, where the members of the order may be?" The speaker said "yes" and to prove it he read from the first degree which says:
4. "You do each swear to obey the laws of the United States provided the same are consistent with the spirit and letter of the Constitution of the United States and the States in which you live; that you will do no act of which an American citizen should be ashamed?"
Judge Paschal said:
"Do the members of the order assume to themselves to determine the constitutionality of the laws of Congress and to resist them, or do they refer that question to the lawful tribunals of the land?" Gen. Bickley said: "As citizens we do judge of the constitutionality of laws, and act accordingly." At this answer, most theatrically expressed, the leading Breckinridge State officers present, applauded vociferously, as indeed they did at every sentiment of a revolutionary character.
The speaker then proceeded to give the Mexican view of the subject which he denied was filibusterism; but only a decent way of getting hold of the country, by some kind of conquest, and the bringing it into the United States, or else adding it to the Southern Confederacy. The plan was certainly more ornamental than practical. And the denial of Filibusterism was as little convincing as the denial that the thing is being used as a political engine.
But upon this part of the speech we have no criticism at present.
In the course of the remarks, frequent reference was made to the order being a "police regulation." When through, Judge Paschal took the stand and read the last paragraph in the pamphlet, in these words:
"The people must begin to examine the state of the nation, and determine on a line of policy united to the exigencies of the times. If the K. G. C. shall succeed we shall hear no more of the disunion, and, if so, it will be a secession of the North—not the South. We shall stand by the Constitution and the Government that will see that every provision thereof is religiously obeyed. Outside of all other considerations, the South ought to support and extend the K. G. C. organization and Domestic Police system—and [illegible] nucleus for her military system. That we [much of rest of column illegible]
ican People."
Judge Paschal then said: "I have understood that it has been said that the order acts as spies upon travelers, and even marks baggage, and that baggage has come marked to this city as suspicious. Is this so?"
Gen. Bickley—"It is."
Judge Paschal—"I wish to know if the Mexico which you may find in the District of Columbia, points to the contingency of the Presidential election, and if the order stands ready to obey Southern Governors and to raise the standard of rebellion, if they are not satisfied with the "Presidential election?" Gen. Bickley made quite a flourish of trumpets, and was understood to answer in the affirmative.
Gen. Bickley then said he wished to ask Judge P. a question. But instead thereof, he went into some declamation about the duty of citizens to obey their Governors; stated that Gov. Pettus of Mississippi and other Southern Governors were members of the order, and would act if Lincoln should be elected. He said that should he (B.) be in Texas, and Gov. Houston call for his services, his "tried sword" would be drawn, to march to the District of Columbia, or wherever else the Gov. Might command. Or should he be in Virginia, as little as he liked Gov. Letcher, he would march at his command. And he knew that Virginia would not submit, &c.
As to the "baggage searching," the spotting of men," &c., he said there ought to have been such an order thirty years ago; that people were welcome to search Bickley's baggage, and no sound man should object to it. It was intended for the nutmeg men, the Yankee pedlers, and such suspicious characters. His question was: "Did any one object to these sentiments, objects and practices."
Judge Paschall said: "This is not the place to express my full sentiments in regard to all I have heard to-night. It is the meeting of a man, who says he has expended six years and thousands of dollars in the cause. Great as I think his errors, I would speak of him with respect and courtesy.
But to the avowal that the order is a secret police; accustomed to denounce individuals; working by secret means, (as dangerous to the innocent as the guilty;_ that it marks baggage, and sends forward its suspicions with the unsuspecting traveler, that it is a secret order which undertakes to pass upon the soundness of Southern citizens, having a common interest in the subject of slavery—I say that it is the institution of the order or Robespiere, which will plunge us into a sea of revolution worse than the bloodiest days of France. It cannot, it will not be tolerated." He then briefly pointed out some of the consequences.
And he continued: "You all know that I never belonged to any secret order, and therefore I may overrate the dangers of secret higher law and political orders. I denounced the know-nothing order, because I saw in it a government and degrees, which taught an habitual disregard of the constitution in favor of the freedom of religion and the eligibility of all free white citizens of the United States to office. But here is an order which goes many steps further. It is "military, financial and political;" and its purposes by secret means, to attain its ends. It arrays itself with the misguided partizans who threaten to overthrow the government, should they not elect their candidate! And it proposes, by secret means, to proscribe all who will not fall into their revolutionary purposes. It is then a secret political agency, and one which establishes a police above the laws, which are sufficient for every emergency.
As to the sentiment that it is the duty to obey the governor, even should he raise the standard of rebellion. I have no language strong enough for it. Revolutions must be the work of the people. We elect governors to see that the laws are executed; not to inaugurate revolution. When the public voice is to be tested on such a subject, the question must be submitted to ever[y] voter; because each of them has an interest as high as the governor himself. Much as I love the Governor of Texas; highly as I honor his judgment and patriotism, yet I declare, that should he usurp the power of calling for soldiers to resist the constitution, laws and lawful authority of the United States, I would denounce him as a traitor to his oath. But I fear no such consequences.—Houston will never lead a rebellion; nor do I believe that any governor will take any such responsibility. Evils exist, dangers threaten, but to the people belong the questions of life, liberty, property and honor. All appeals to their judgments and passions, should be open and public. All plottings and cabals will be met by counter plots, until if continued you will have civil war at home and in our very streets. Improvident men are now [most of rest of column illegible]
lowered by the temper of the crowd.—There were however, some repetitions of the necessity of purely "northern and southern parties," and of fight and fury, whereat a few of the intense Yanceyites applauded with diminished enthusiasm.
We give this brief report to the public. We trust that Gen. Bickley will publish the entire speeches. We would hold no political party responsible for this secret order; but trust that all parties will disavow it as a secret political engine. In its secrecy, in its police espionage and its avowed southern confederacy disunionism, we see nothing but mischief. We trust its strength and the character of those who compose it are not fairly represented by its advocates. Secrecy in political movements, is not to be tolerated among a people who rely upon an enlightened public opinion.
Gen. Bickley said, that he could not speak for Austin, he could for Texas. We call upon every Texas editor and Texas speaker and candidate to speak for themselves. Judge Paschal has spoken the sentiments of this community, with a few uninfluential exceptions. He stands by the constitution and the laws against all mobs, higher lawism and secret espionage. And our citizens should be proud, that they had a man bold enough to speak in the right time, the right tone and temper towards men, who, however pure their motives might be, are certainly upon a most dangerous road. Let us have no political secret conclaves—no reign of terror—but let all political subjects be openly and boldly discussed.
We are glad to learn that the expose of the mysterious K. G. C., was not pleasing to some of the more moderate followers of the bolters, (the extremists had hoped to make a good thing of it.) Yesterday morning a large showbill was posted, giving notice that M. R. Reagan, Esq., would address the unterrified at the same place last night. It was whispered around, that Morris would "show up" the new secret political order, and prove it to be "a Bell and Everett trick." The editor attended, and found Gen. Bickley there, with his aids Col. Groiner and Maj. Bickley. Our friend Morris spoke to the great satisfaction of the organizers, and really got off some patriotic sentiments, such as a willingness to die for the country, and the declaration that "to spot a man in this country is to hang him to the first black oak." But there was so much of the warp and woof of "the fire the southern heart, and precipitate the Cotton States into a revolution—campaign orators, that Gen. Bickley mistook him for "one of 'em," and gave the sign, and after the speech, claimed him, and commenced reading the degrees. It was a rich meeting, and we heard a wag say, that if the Breckinridge orator came there to "show up" the K. G. C.'s he did it after the fashion of Archie [illegible] a story of the Belle who went to the Kentucky quarter-race, to see Bob Easly's new importation of the animal of the tribe which the queer cursing old Balaam road. The secrecy is too good a thing for the Yanceyites to shake off with such delicate jerks. They must put on the power which old Doddy Biggs employed upon the opossum, which would not let go when every foothold was broken. The K. G. C. will stick to them by the tail unless there is a hard shake.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 4, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Summary: Almost illegible article about the K. G. C. turning out and raising a "dark blue [?] flag with a lone white star bordered with read in the center"
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 4, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
In response to an invitation extended to the Alamo Rifles by the San Antonio City Guards (K. G. C.), the [illegible] company was called together at 11 o'clock [illegible] and after some argument passed the following resolutions"
Resolved, [illegible] we acknowledge the [illegible] in the City Guards or any other company, to hoist the flag of the State at any time they deem proper, we would very respectfully decline its invitation extended [illegible] of participating in such a ceremony.
Resolved, We bow with all deference to the sovereignty of the State, and will [illegible] as much as any men in defence of her honor, her rights, and her cause—but we will never participate in a rejoicing of the fall of the stars and stripes, and [illegible] the State has seceded through her proper channel—the people—we acknowledge no other thing.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 6, 1861, p. 2, c. 3
Letter to Gen. Twiggs
In the "Ledger and Texan" of Tuesday we notice a letter from a committee of the K. G. C.'s, published by the consent of Gen. Twiggs, and as it is public property, we suppose we have the right to review it. It starts out by saying "the committee represent one hundred and twenty responsible citizens of San Antonio, K. G. C." The question naturally arises, what is it that constitutes a man a "responsible citizen." We take it that he must be a man of family, having "little responsibilities" to care for and protect—he must have property or business that makes it to his interest to act for the welfare of the whole, and not fore mere self, or he must be a man elected by consent of the people to represent them. It certainly can't mean merely "belonging to the K. G. C." With all due respect, and meaning nothing hard or unkind to many young friends and acquaintances, we can't see that a great portion of the one hundred and twenty, so far as we know them, have any but the latter questionable qualification for "responsibility"—being without families, fortunes, or steady business avocations, and holding no representative office from the people. [section illegible on film]
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 6, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
The Lone Star flag which was raised over Carolan's Auction room on Tuesday and left up over night, was floating Wednesday morning bespangled with the complete "glorious constellation," much to the annoyance of the enterprising gentlemen who put it up. Of course the culprit is not known. The stars were sewed on.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 4, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Gen. Twiggs.—It is rumored about our streets, and by men who ought to know, that Gen. Twiggs will, if Texas secedes, resign his commission immediately and take command of the K. G. C. forces in our State. We do not give this report as true beyond doubt, but as creating considerable gossip and speculation amongst our citizens. If our armies are to be commanded by Generals who hold so lightly their oaths of allegiance to their government,--and the "tug of war" ever comes, and things look squally, what guarantee have we that they can be depended upon.
Oh that all our Senators were like Crittenden and our military commanders like Bob Anderson, then would Columbia not be robbed of her glory or despoiled of her greatness.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 13, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Major Clark Addresses
The Alamo Rifles.
On Tuesday night last after the drill and business of the Alamo Rifle company was over, the Captain announced that Major Clark desired to address the company, and therefore ordered the men to "fall in" outside of the armory. Major Clark stepped to the front of the company, came to a "front face," and commenced his speech in a very courteous manner, the burden of which was in substance as follows: I love the Alamo Rifles—I love every man in San Antonio—I come before you merely as a disinterested individual, without any authority for so doing, but merely to tell you what your duty is in these stirring times. The K. G. C. love you, they are sworn to protect you and the rest of the city—they are for the South and Texas—they have been misrepresented—they love you and expect you to stand by them when they kick up a muss—the people of Texas [10,000 voters] have declared themselves out of the Union—you must ratify their action at the ballot-box—you will be expected to back some unknown, and till now unheard of commissioners if they demand the government property—we must submit to our rulers—I, for one, "come weal or come woe," will die by the people of Texas, "from whom I have received nothing but kindness." Mr. Rifles, I again assure you, you are a ghlorious [sic] set of fellows and I love you. Adieu! [Applause]
We are an ardent admirer of Major Clark, and for him feel a kindness and respect, and am sorry that we cannot give him the benefit of a more extended report of his speech, and of our inability to present it in language that would sound more oratorical. We pretend merely to give the substance as it appeared to us. Some of our bull headed fellows could neither make head nor tail out of his remarks. They are and will remain in the dark until further developments as to who our rulers are and who those commissioners are.
If the Major wished to tell the Rifles their duty, we are rather inclined to think he has missed his "cue." Like true soldiers they know their duty to their country. We would further remark that politics is scrupulously avoided in the company, and but for it being forced upon the company, no political jarring would ever disturb the fellowship and kind feeling existing among its members. After breaking ranks, one of the company stepped up to Major Clark, and desired to ask him a question; the Major said "certainly." He then asked him, "Will you abide the decision of the people of Texas at the ballot-box?" "Certainly," replied the Major. Then continued the questioner, "If they decided to remain in the Union?" This puzzled the Major, and well it might, after declaring that he would die for Texas, but replied that he would, or "leave the State."
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 25, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
Election in San Antonio.
The election passed off in our city quietly and orderly, and resulted in favor of Union and "against secession," in spite of all the combinations, societies, court-house cliques &c., and in the face of threats, bullying, menaces, and brow beating. Of course the majority is small, but sufficient to redeem our city from the many misrepresentations sent abroad in regard to it.
Now let us review the field and see against what odds this victory was gained: There has been two secession newspapers thundering away for the last three months—the court house clique, from the Hon. District Judge to the precinct magistrates, embracing all the State and County and some of the city officials;--the K. G. C. order, embracing many Americans, several foreign born citizens and several prominent Mexicans, (and if we take the word of our neighbor the Herald this order embraces the principal men of wealth in our city,) with a State Convention in session; were the strong combinations arrayed against the Union party. The secessionists were well organized and worked hard, the Union party was unorganized and did but little challenging, while the disunionists by their close and insulting challenging kept many from the polls—making native Americans and men who had been citizens of the Republic of Texas and who have voted in our city for the last fifteen years swear to their votes, and compelled many foreigners to show their papers.—The Mexicans, with a few honorable exceptions, were corraled for Disunion.—Upon the whole we think it a glorious victory. San Antonio was persistently claimed by the secessionists.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 25, 1861, p. 3, c. 3
[From the S. A. Herald.]
George Bickley.
Castle K. G. C., Feb. 21st, '61.
Whereas, the Alamo Express, a paper published in San Antonio, has used its columns for the purpose of injuring the K. G. C., an order devoted to the protection of southern interests and preservation of southern institutions.
Resolved, That we commend that paper to the contempt and execration of all true southern men, and that we have this resolution published in the San Antonio Herald.
Copy of the minutes.
E. A. Briggs, secretary.
Medina River.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 27, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Col. Waite and the Commissioners
Dame Rumor gives us the following account of the late excitement kicked up by the Commissioners: The building occupied by the U. S. disbursing officers was taken possession of on Tuesday morning a detachment of K. G. C. under command of the "Commissioners." They (the Com.) demanded of Col. Waite to order the disbursing officers to deliver over the money in their hands. Col. Waite refused—said he did not recognize them as having authority to make such a demand. Commissioner Lucket, told Col. Waite he would arrest him, if he did not give the order; Col. Waite told Lucket he would be the last man he would arrest.—Col. Waite was then ordered to vacate his quarters. he [sic] replied, he would not do so until ordered by his Government. Commissioners got tired bullying the old soldier and proceeded to take possession of the different disbursing offices ordering the clerks to leave or be considered under arrest. Col. Waite is still "at large"—and the Commissioners only made a raise of fifteen Dollars, which, Major McClure says, belongs to him. This is what Madame Rumor says, and this is the only authority we have at this point.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], March 4, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Ominous.—On Saturday, the 2nd of March, the day of Texas Independence, just at 12 A.M., the time the secession ordinance was to take effect, the Lone Star Flag over Carolan's Auction room, the Head Quarters of Travis, fell to the ground, the K. G. C. Flag floating over Braden's Grocery appeared minus the Star, and the flag raised over the Alamo in attempting to get it down, caught half mast and there staid some time in spite of the efforts to haul it down.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], March 22, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
We take the following from the published proceedings of the K. G. Convention:
Mr. Barziza, of Chambers, moved that the convention proceed to elect a marshal, Brigade and staff officers, and a State Treasurer, and that the Marshal be empowered to appoint all other officers necessary to a complete organization of the several departments. Marshal of the Texas Division, Geo. W. Chilton of Tyler, Smith county, Texas; Eastern Brigade, Elkana Greer of Marshal, Harrison county, Texas; Western Brigade, John A. Wilcox of San Antonio, Bexar county, Texas; State Treasurer, Jas. Vance of San Antonio, Bexar county, Texas.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], March 22, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
War Declared.
We take the following startling news from the published proceedings of K. G. C. Convention which was held in our city on the 22 of Febr last:
The committee further report the following resolution from the Seguin Castle, and recommend their adoption:
Resolved: By Seguin Castle, Guadalupe County, Texas, that if any non-slaveholding government, power or people, attempt to establish a protectorate over the Republic of Mexico, such action shall be, and the same is hereby declared to be hostile to the rights and interests of the South and the K. G. C.
Resolved further, That any such action on the party of any such non-slaveholding government, power or people, be, and the same is hereby declared to be, just cause of war on the part of the South and the K. G. C.
Resolved further, That it is the deliberate judgment and sincere desire of the Castle, that immediate action "vi et armis" should be taken by the South and the K. G. C., to repel any such attempt, should it be made.
According to the same proceedings the number of K. G. C. soldiers in the amount of 929 horse, and 139 foot. As there is a likelihood of both England and France having a word to say about Mexico we think it unkind in the K. G. C. to thus declare ware against the Emperor and Queen before due notice was given in order to allow them sufficient time to abdicate rather than carry on so unequal a conflict.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Knights_of_the_Golden_Circle
