Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-03-26
That PIedge-what it is, and Who maj
Take il. rs.F

The Cleveland Leader, in Its issue OF
March 90, reoices ove- the formation OF
what Il calls Loyal Leageus. 1t does
not add the word "Union" to thensme as
some of its Abolition cotemporaries do. That
word ID becoming rather distasteful to the Lead
sy. To call these combinations or ccnspiracies
against the Union by that sacred name, is too
bare-faced hopocrisy for even the Leader to
tolerate on ell occasions.
The Leader says:
Loyal Leagues have sprung up through the
smaller cities and towns until IL is estimated
that not lees than Eve hundred are In operation
In nlinois alone. ssl .e.l
The Leader goes on to urge the formation Of
these leagues and gives pledge which it re-
commentator adoption. 1t says 1t is the one
adopted by the Loyal National League Of New
York city, and is in these words:
We pledge ourselves to an unconditional 10y.
altv 10 the Government of the United States,
to an unwavering support of its efforts to sup
press the rebellion, and to spare no endeavor to
maintain unimpaired the National unity, both
in principle and territorial boundary,
The primary object Of this League 10, and
shall be, to bind together all loyal men, OF all
trades and professions, in common union to
maintain the power, glory and integrity OF the
nation.
The above pledge for new political organi'
ration is recommended by GREELEY In the
Tribune, and hes been extensively published
with appreciation in other Abolition papers.
Its purpose is apparent upon its face 1t Is
wordsd 60 ss to take in anybody and everybody
that Is willing to become the plant tool of the
demsgogues at the head of this new movement.
There is In it pledge of unconditional
loyalty to the Government" that is, Of uncon-
ditional fealty to the Administration. A prom
ise 10 given Of "unvavoring support" OF the
Administration in its efforts to suppress the re-
bellion-the principal Of these being the Abo.
q litiou of slavery and the political elevation Of
the black race No effort is to be spared to
maintain the National unlty--bnt not q solitary
word 10 said about maintaining the National
Union of the States National unity may be
maintained under the despotism Of Russian
Autocrat as we'll az under the Constitution Of
the United States. To maintain unimpaired
National unity may mean quite different
thing from maintaining our National Union
with all the rights of the States unimpaired. :
But the last paragraph Of the pledge shows
clearly that those who go! 1t up intended Il sim
ply as lure and snare to the unwary. II 10
declared that the primary object Of the League
is to form combination to maintain, not the
power, glory and integrity Of the Union, but
of the Nation. sach league with such an
object In view might be gotten up in st. Peters
burg and give no offense, but on the contrary
great satisfaction to the Imperial Government
Of Russia, especially while It is engaged in|
putting down the insurgent Poles.
This pledge can be taken without mental
reservation BY any Northern Disunionist and
Consultation and Union.hater whatever. II is
expressly designed to meet the case Of such.
They will 20 into these leagues with the same
grim satisfaction that pirate enters gang OF
his confederates, because it will forward the
objects he has placed before him. WENDELL
PHILIIrs, WILLIAM LLOYD GARMsoN, and oil
that tribe, whose war.cry is: 'No Union with
slaveholders," and whose political creed Is:
"The Constitution is covenant with death and
an agreement with hell" can become active
and s,aunch members Of these leagues against
both the Union and the Constitution.