Knights of the Golden Circle
The Knights of
the Golden Circle was a Texas-based secret society. Their objective was to
create a confederation of slave-holding states in parts of Mexico and the West
Indies, extending slavery; the group's plan thus mirrored the objectives of
secession, a cause they actively supported during the Civil War. Legend has it
that they hid the fabled confederate gold allegedly sent off for safe keeping
as the waning days of the war. Others have linked them to the KKK.
At the link below is a
fascinating history of the KGC and the historical context, it is after all
subtitled "A History of Secession from 1834 to 1861." It was written by a
member of the order and published in 1861. The rituals and degree structure
described in this book clearly indicate the influence of Freemasonry; whether
it was founded by men who happened to be Masons is unclear, as Freemasonry is
not mentioned in the text.
"A History of Secession from 1834 to 1861"
