Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-05-15
From the sprindeld Republican.
THE UNION LEAGUE.

iAb bANlbN isbhhtTs
The loyal organization known as the Union
League is rapidly extending its chapters and
Its influence through the North. The society
started originally as means Of contending
against the knights Of the golden circle" b"
a secret order having for It's avowed purpose
the overthrow cf the government, and which
controls the principles and votes Of the cop
perheads. IL has proved very efieacious in
thus successfully combating secresy with Sc
cresy. aud become so popular that 1t is being
introduced as piece Of powerful political
machinery where there is in reality no need
OF such an organization, at least for the pur-
pose for which it was at first intended the
fighting Of secret traitors. The order was
introduced into New Hampshire before the
recent election there, aud proved great value
in carrying the election against the copper
heads. In Connecticut. also, the society did
good service in the limited portions Of the
state into which it was introduced, and had
there been time for its more general introduc-
ton, would no doubt have largely swelled
tho loyal republican majority, OF course
there is not that need fcr such an agent in
Massachusetts as there Is in states where
parties are more evenly divided and elections
more closely contested But Massachusetts,
does not want to be behind her sister states
in knowledge or power TO help the govern
mcnt and sustain the administration If there
should be need, and this organization ls being
quietly and rapidly introduced among our cit
Izens. IL already exists in all the large towns
and cities, and it is probable lodge or chap
ter will soon be established in every town in
the commonwealth, and the names Of the ma
jority Of the loyal voters Of the state be found
enrolled on its lists
There are numerous organizations over the
country, known az National Leagues ~
nion Leagues and " Loyal Union Leagues,
some Of which are secret in their character
and some open and public, sight change in
the name designating the character to the in
itiat d. But all Of the open societies are
more or less closely connected with the grand
" Union League" which is secret in its pro-
ceedings, at least to the extent OF keeping
them away from the enemies Of the country
This is the one which is 50 rapidly spreading
over the country, and with its extensive ram
ications and Its headquarters at Washing
ton, is 10 position to exert very powerful
political influence. As general thing we
are opposed to secret societies in every way
and shape. They are hostile to the princi-
pies Of free government. But counter
secret society has been tho only available
means with which to fight and defeat the dis
loyal knights of the golden circle, and this
the Union League has done and is doing
With the final demise Of the one, which we
are anticipating soon, at least when the au-
thority Of the government is again fairly es-
tNblished over the whole country. the mission
OF the other will be gone and if its leaders
aud managers are wise, they will let it drop
II they try to run the organization for polite
al preierment, or to carry party measures, let
them take the know nothings as an example
a warning Not only the patty hut the per
sons who composed It are politically dead
We don't want any such "relicts' left by the
Union League, and do not suppose any Of its
members have any particular inclination that
way