The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-04-02

Secret Union League.

The Copperheads have made discovery.
They have found out that the friends Of the
Unian have found it necessary and expedi-
snt to organize for the great work Ct saving
the Union. The Mercury has got hold of
the documents. and gives them, in all their
length and breadth, an insertion with sen.
sation heading, DANGEROUS AID 0Ecrr-
fivR"
We cannot say much for the discretion
Of the managers Of this formidable organiza-
ton. in sending it broad cast over the coun.
try to persons ofunvouched for loyalty even
to postmasters, for it is one of the great
mistakes Of the present administration, that
Il keeps in office men who are not only op-
posed to the policy Of the administration
but who are traitors to the country, and in
full communion with the rebels of the
South. But aside from this, we can discov.
~ nothing in the objects Of the organize.
ton, supposing it to be genuine, to which
any patriot can take exception. ITO pre-
serve the Union and the Constitution invi-
olate," and an obligation preceded by q
prayer to Almighty God, and taken on the
Nationa! flag, the Bibl., the Declaration o:
Independence, and the Constitution of the
United States, to defend the government
and the Gag of the country, amounting to
aothing but IN oath Of allegiance, which we
oil ought to take and observe, is surely mel.
thervery deceptive or dangerous, and can
not be sxceptionable to anybody but traitors
and their aiders and abettors.
We are most favorably impressed with
the Union league as exposed in the Ottum.
va Mercury, and hope oil loyal citizens will
join it. It's sadly out Of placein the Ner.
cary. and will doubtless seem dangerous to
many readers Of that sheet, especially
knights of the Golden Circle.
r Our views about secret societies, are pre-.
eiseiy these: In ordinary and peaceful
times, and to subserve merely private and
selfish ends, they may be exceptional and
dangerous but in times like these, when
organized treason is plotting in secret all
over the country, and when the true and
false, the 10y alist and the traitor are mixed
npin every community, secret meetings for
consultation snd organization, from which
the unworthy and the reasonable may be ex
cludsd are both excusab!e and in every re.
spsct proper and necessary.
Tk>.> &. .-n.lJ l.
those secre. societies which are designed to
overthrow g,vernm .nt, law and order. which
administer oaths to resist the execution OF
the laws. and oppos, by force . righteous
and bonificent government, reasonable or.
CARNATIONS like the Knights of the Golden
Circle, and one in bar .nnny with tho gov
eminent, designed to defend and preserve
II, inculcatiug among its highest earthly 90.
legations. to defend the Constitution, in
situations and flag Of the country against
foreign and domestic traitors.
While the Mercury is engaged in this
business Of exposing secret organizations
why not furnish an exposition Of the
Knights Of the Golden Circle. That would
not be quite As novel to many Of its readers
a. the Union League ritual, but there might
be res Ter now and then, who would like
10 compare thu two organizations. Toll us
about the Knights, oh Mercuryt Give us
she ritual, the obligation, and q list Of the
members of the Ottumwa Castle. Nobody
doubts your ability to do this officially, and
without resort to Postmasters or anybody
else. The people will then be enabled to
judge ~ to the sincerity Of your objections
40 secret societies, and If you consider or
ganisaisns to defend and preserve the
Union and Constitution Dangerous and
deceptive" they will know what kind ofso-
cistiss you do approve Of. Or, you can't
publish it without violating your pledge, fur
aish US the documents Aad We will do it.