Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-03-26
The Loyal National League.

We direct the attention Of our citizens to
an organization which is rapidly forming in
this city under the above name. har ,
The enrolment list, copy Of which is
exposed for signature in the Office of the
Evening Post, bears the following title,
which clearly explains the purposes Of the
League: rp
"We, undersigned, citizens Of the United
States, hereby associate ourselves under the
nane and title OF the Loyal National League.
I'VE pledge ourselves to an uioondition:
al loyalty to the government Of the United
States, to an uuwaveriDg support of its ef-
forts to suppress the rebellion, and to spare
no endeavor to maintain upimpaired the
national unity, both in principle and terri.
torial boundary.
''The primary object of this League is
and shall be to bind together all loyal men,
of all trades aud professions, in common
union to maintain. the power, glory and in
tegrity of the nation"
Among the various programmes and con-
stitutions Of loyal leagues, Union leagues,
and Union clubs, we have seen none which
so well supplies the great need Of the time
and so thoroughly answers the broad name
Of League as this. There is no money test
Of entrance, the only condition Of admis
sion being willingness to sign and abide by
a simple and comprehensive pledge of 10y.
atty to the government and to the idea as
well as the substance Of National Unity.
Now that the most poisonous Of the doc
trines Of the Calhounites, those doctrines in
which the Southern rebels seek their apology
for the most heinous crime in history, are
boldly put forth by rebel sympathizers, it
seems appropriate that loyal men should
band together to maintain the substance and
adhere to the glorious idea of National
Unity. ''
General Rosecraus, in his patriotic gen
era order issued to the western army on the
birthday of Washington, happily expresses
this idea: ... ....f...
"Out Of respect for the memory of Wash
ington-whose illustrlous virtues W. revere,
whose wisdom, justice aud selt.sacrifcng
devotion to natjondt unity we resolve to i'm
itate ourselves and teach to our children
we will to-day renew to each other the
pledges already givea by our past tolls and
sufferings, aud which many of our brave
companions have already scaled with their
blood. We will transmit the freedom we
inherit from Washington unimpaired to the
posterity ofOr natio,,, one dadli,divisiGle,
or We will perish in its defence, bequeath-
ing aspaule glorious ~. them aud terrible t.
the rebel consplra.ors whose vile decePtions
have arrayed our brethren against US. .
This is the battle cry Of the patriots who,
with their breasts to the foe, stand between
the nation aud the parricdes who seek it,
ruin. l .,. To-. <
That national unity which they pledge
themselves to maintain on the battle field,
let US all pledge ourselves to defend al
home. Thus will our brothers in the field
be encouraged to feel that theii privation.
and suffering are not in vain, aud that the
lives they offer up at the shrine Of theil
country's unity shall not be useless sac
ri6ce. ...r -...rp &, .Js
There is a strong feeling in the publ,
mind on this subject, and action has beer
delayed in the expectation: that some of thu
organizations now projected would build OIL
this broad foundation--but up to this tim,
no plan has presented itself so broad an,
desirable in its purpose as the present.
We do not doubt shat the League thu
initiated in this city will spread througl
every village, town and hamlet in the loya
states, encouraging the loyal and strikin
terror to the hearts of the traitors who, nc
daring to take open part with the rebels i
arms, still stand beneath the fostering fold
of the national banner and seek to break j
pieces that unity Of which it is the honore
emblem, and without which it is meal
ingless rag. ..4' ',tt u
I 1t is proposed to cake a large hall, wit
convenient reading and committee room
: in some central place, where the membe
of the League may meet at all times, an
+ where, at stated periods, lectures and q,
! dresses will be delivered. n a.ft Z