The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-06-12
"UniOn Leagues" Condemned by
the Cleveland Herald.

"UniOM Leagues" Condemned by
the Cleveland Herald.
The Cleveland Herald, one of the
leading Republican papers in Ohio, oil
the 2lst of May last walked over tht
dead carcasses of the leagues in the fol
lowing manner:
"a while since, the existence of secre
Union Leagues was charged, and, we, il
honesty, denied the assertion. 1t turns
out we we're wrong. From indubitable
evidence the fact is ascertained that there
do exist what are termed secret Union
Leagues Certain political views, but
more particularly, preference for certain
individual members of the party, deter
mine, in the main, membership; aud it is
plainly evident that through secret So
cieties the attempt is making to shape
the course of the Union party, hereabOutS,
control the nominations, and thus accom-.
plish the selfish purposes the same iudi-
viduals hoped to attain by the disband>
ment of the Union party.
Gen. Burnside, in speaking Of secret
political societies, said: they are al.
"ways undignided and disgraceful to q
"free people, butuow they are absolutely
wrong and injurious; they Great disSen-
"tion and diScord, which, just now,
amounts to treason"
From secret political societies an evil
influence only can result. Secret socie-
ties-of whatever nature-are, Of course
exclusive. All who belong to such or
ganzations know that their bane is the
selfish disposition Of artful members to
use the organization for personal ad-
vancement. But secret political socie-
ties, however honest in inception. always
degenerate into seIGshness, and, sooner
or later, become thoroughly corrupt and
demoralizpg Secret political societies
are no safe places for honest men, who
have no fear of the light of day; they
are jacoJonical revolutionary, and always
come to be controlled by demagogues
who fear the people and seek, by mid,
night caucuSSes, secret grips, private
watchwords and mysterious passes, to
secure political advancement.
The salvation of this Union is plat.
form broad enough for all patriotic men
to stand upon, and it should require nc
pass word to entitle admission thereto,
save, The Union, the Constitution, and
the Laws.
Why should there be secret Union
Leagues why should the restoration of
the Federal Union be confined to an ex>
elusive few? Are the officers made for
certain individuals? Is intelligence so
wanting in our people that political af.
fairs must be directed by secret con.
clave? Is there anything in devotion
to the Union that should induce its vo.
taries to keep themselves in the dark p
There can be but one motive for secret
political League; such League can have
but one aim; it can have one result and
men who wish to deal above. board
like honest ctizens--men who scorn to
be tails to the demagogue'S kite, men
who are unwilling to be cat paws for po-
litical aspirants, should shun political
lodges as they would things that can not
bear the light Of day.
Secret, midnight, political clubs have
no sympathy among the people; they are
in the interest of the few as against the
many, and we call upon the loyal masses
Of this section Of the State to heed our
warning, apply the corrective, nip this
evil in its bud, else, when too late to help
themselves, they will find their nomina.
ting conventions to be but mere formal
gatherings to give shape and comeliness
to edicts Of secret, midnight political
Leagues.
We are perfectly aware of the delicate
ground on which we tread; we no doubt
are rebuking warm personal and party
friends, but in this matter we can make
no reservation, no compromise, for the
evil is fol mable and threatening one;
and principle having cbaIked out our
line, we shall hew right up TO the mark,
let the chips fly where they may"
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