The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 70, July 1966 - April, 1967 Page: 547
728 p. : maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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The KGC in Texas, i86o-i86i
Also, magnetized by the self-aggrandizing effects of his fantastic
plot, he forged ahead, ever steering his campaign toward the
Southwest. On September i2, 1859, he issued a KGC proclama-
tion:
Soldiers-the time approaches when we must take the field . . .
let us think for a moment what we propose: the invasion of a
nation by a new and vigorous race-the overthrow of old social
systems, and the establishment of new ones-the disarming of hostile
factions and the erection of peace establishments-the overthrow of
prejudice, and the endoctrination [sic] of the people with new ideas
of progress and prosperity . . . and now young men, what have you
to gain by this work? The Knights of the Golden Circle opens for
you new fields of industry and enterprise. It gives you the quarry
from which to hew out the statue of your own fortunes ... it
tells you that your flag is glorious, and that you can and should
keep it so; that the land [of Mexico] is inviting and pleasant to
look at; that there is fortune, fame, wealth, and glory for you. It
tells you to plant your flag and your schools on every hill top
and in every valley; to make [Mexico] shine once more resplendant
[sic] in the galaxy of nations . . . study our organization . . . and
then tell us if you too, will wear the cross of honor? Tell us if you are
not willing to help direct the events of the age.'"
Perhaps one of the chief allurements of Mexico was the insta-
bility of its government. In the three and a half decades since
the separation from Spain, Mexico had had thirty-two adminis-
trations and at the beginning of 186o was the scene of violent
fighting between the Juirez and the Miram6n forces. Moreover,
up along the Rio Grande, in Northern Mexico, a bandit gang
led by Juan Nepomucena Cortina was ravishing the country-side
and even pillaging some Texas villages. It did seem that the time
was right for someone to move in and restore order in Mexico
or, in KGC parlance, ". . . adopt the policy of Rome . . . [for]
as Rome conquered countries, so she civilized and enlightened
them.""
economically. Thomas Troupe Gammage, a prominent Texas Knight, pointed out
that slavery was both an expensive and an annoying system of labor; and, in
support, he asserted that his father had to practice law to maintain his slaves.
William S. Speer (ed.), The Encyclopedia of the New West (2 vols.; Marshall,
Texas, 1881), I, 264-266.
10K. G. C. Proclamation, September 12, 1859, Bickley Papers.
11K. G. C. First, Or Military Degree, 8.547
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 70, July 1966 - April, 1967, periodical, 1967; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101199/m1/577/: accessed May 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.