The Great North-Western Conspiracy in All Its Startling DetailsAyer, I. Winslow
History
The Great North-Western Conspiracy in All Its Startling Details
Ayer, I. Winslow
Knights of the Golden Circle; Northwestern Conspiracy, 1864
ROBERT ALEXANDER.--This gentleman, who is well known to the citizens of
Chicago, has held several positions of responsibility and trust, and
has ever been a consistent, earnest, devoted advocate of the Union. So
intensely Republican in sentiment is he, that the attempt to introduce
him into the Sons of Liberty, called forth such opposition that it
was thought we should fail in the attempt, and he finally, was only
admitted, after he and his sponsor (the writer) had been told, in plain
words, accompanied with an oath, that if he proved false to them, _both
should die_. For months he bore the opprobrium of a Copperhead, and
suffered extreme annoyances in sustaining the role it was his duty
to assume. Conscientious, earnest, persevering, patient, with keen
perception, and a remarkable power of reading human character, with the
experience of an excellent police officer, Mr. Alexander brought to his
post of duty high qualifications, and was a valuable, ready and willing
assistant. It should be remarked that Mr. Alexander had been informed in
May, 1864, that he had been appointed First-Lieutenant in the 53d U.S.
Infantry, and supposed he was in the service of the U.S. Government at
the time of joining this great undertaking, but the information, though
coming from a high source, proved incorrect, and this is one additional
reason why the writer made choice of Mr. Alexander. While we know that
loyal men will appreciate Mr. Alexander's valuable services, we have yet
to learn that he has, thus far, experienced any other satisfaction than
the approval of his own heart, and the sincere gratitude of the writer,
for his hazardous undertaking, and the able manner in which he performed
his duty.
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