The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1863-08-06

AS there has been great deal said abou
this institution, through the newspapers O.
the country, it may be interesting to thu
curious to know something ofthe working.
of the lodges, their grips, passwords, &c.
and to satisfy this curiosity We give th'
following from one who attends allthe NEE
tings of the lodge in his jurisdiction
None are admitted into the loyal institution
who are not supposed to be sound on thu
vital questions.
To enter Unio League Lodge the sigr
to be given to the "outside sentinel" il
male by opening the right hand turning
he thumb into the hollow Of the hand
rise YOUR hand to near the right temple
then throw the h,ni from you, letting ii
fall to your side.
We regret We are unable to give the
mems # recognition. or entrance sign a,
he inner ioor. but as We know none of oul
re Jers VIII ever wish to enter one of these
leagues. it is imm mlteral in this connection
We hive he promise Of it the next time
cur inf ,rmant comes to town. He had for
gotten il when we last eonverred with h H.
Oa e1serns n. lolse the can lidatc il
reau re to kneel a. the alter. (iftherc are
anrnbar :nitiatel at tn, sinc time, tn y
stan up in 4 circle about the alter,) place
The LEFT h md on the Constitution Of the
United States and the Bible, and the r, oh
hand holding the American flag, in whcf
position they ire required to take the fol
loving obligation:
Il do solmnly swer in the presence o.
G. ii and other witnesses. To support pro
tect and defend the governmenr oi the Uni
:e.l States. and that | Will also defend thS
State of Indiana arl'nst any lnv.s on .nsur
rection. or rebellion. to the best Of nv a. IL
ity. This l pledge without mental reser
vation or evasion Furthermore that /
Will aid and assist in eloctng true and re-
liable Union men AMI none others to all of
fees from the loves, to the highest, in
town country, State ani general govern
ment. AMI should | ever be called to fill
any Office I will then and there carry ou,
the object and principles of this league
And further, that I will protect, aid and
defend al true members of the Union
League And further, will never make
known in any way or manner. to any per-
son or persons not mcmber5 Of the Union
Lergue any of the signs, passwords, pro-
ceedings, debates, or plans of this or any
other council under this organization, ex-
cept when engaged in admitting mem
bers''
The obligation varies in different locali-
ties, but is essentially the same all through
the Northern States.
After taking the obligation, the candi-
late is instructed in the grips and words,
as follows-lnl in the same manner stran-
gers are examined:
Take each other by the right hand; press
the nail of the thumb, between the second
;:nd tn RI joints of the third finger of the
same hanl in such manner as to attract
.ttention I he instructor says-''do you
understand"
Candidate undertake"
Ins,ructor-"A Are you Union man."
Candii;te-''I am, sir"
instructor-''Give me a sign"
To give the s;gn, raise your left hand on
a level VIII the eyes. place the ends of the
thumb and tin RI finger together, then the
instructor says Wash ngton," the candi-
date then drops his hand to- level with
The shoulders, still holding the thumb and
finger together, when the instructor says
Johnson" Andy johnson, of Tennessee }
the candidate then lets his hand fall to his
knee. when, the instructor says Jack
son"
This constitutes the examination, and
with the pass at the inner door, is all that
IS necessary to pass any one having any GU
riosity, into lodge of l. Il s. The busl-
ness Of the meeting is mlitary drill, and
debates as to how copperhe1 Is, &c, eau be
disposed of, etc There are some chan sses
being made in the work" of which our in
formant has promised to keep us posted
Po,te D,motrof.
Don't HARM THE NEGRO.-Wc hear OF
several instances that occurred yesterday