The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-03-18
from the New York Evening Postl

We direct the attention OF our citizens
to an organization which is rapidly form
ing in this city under the above name.
The enrolment list, copy of which is
exposed for signature in the Office of the
EVENING PosT, bears the following title,
which clearly explains the purposes of the
League:
awe, the undersigned, citizens of the
United States, hereby associate ourselves
under the name and title of the LOYAL
NATIONAL LEAG UE.
ave pledge ourselves to an uncondi-
tiOnal loyalty to the government OF the
United States, to an unwavering support
of its efforts to suppress the rebellion, and
TO spare no eudeavor TO maintain unlm-
paired the national unity, both is princi-
pie and territorial boundary.
"The primary object of this League is
and shall be to bind together all loyal
lnen, of all trades and professions, IN a
eomnon union to maintain the power,
glory aud integrity of the nation"
Among the various programmes and con-
stisutiops of loyal leagues, Union leagues,
and Union clubs, we have seen none
which 80 we'll supplies the great name of
League as this There is no money test
of entrance, the only condition of admiS-
sion being a willingness to sign and abide
By SIMPLE and comprehensive pledge of
loyalty to the government and to the idea
as we'll as the substance of National
Unity.
Now that the most poisonous Of the
doctrines of those Calhunites, those doc
trines in which the southern rebels seek
their apology for the most heinous crime
in history, are boldly put forth by rebel
sympathizers, it seems appropriate that
loyal men should band together to main
tain the substance and adhere to the glo
rious idea of National Unity.
General Rosecrans, in his patriotic gen.
eral order issued to the western army on
the birthday of Washington, happily ex-
presses this idea:
"Out of respect for the memory Of
Washington-whose illustrious virtues
we revere, whose wisdom, justice and self
sacrificing devotion to national anlty we
resolve to initiate ourselves and teach to
our children---we will to-day renew to
each other the pledges already given by
eur past tolls and sutferings, and which
many of cur brave companions have all
ready sealed with their blood. We will
transmit the freedom We inherit from
Washington unimpaired to the posterity
of our nation, 'one and indiUisiG(e,' or we
will perish iu its defence, bequeathlng a
name glorious to them and terrible to the
rebel conspiraters whose vile deceptIons
have arrayed eur brethren against u.s..
This is tho battle-cry of the brave pa
tfiots who, with their breasts to the foe,
aud between the nations aud the parri-
cides who seek its ruin.
That national unity which they pledge
themselves to maintain on the battle
field, let US all pledge ourselves to de-
fend at home. Thus will our brothers
in the field be encouraged to feel that
their privations and suferings are not in
vain, and that the lives they offer up at
,he shrine of their country's unity shall
not be a useless sacrifice.
There is strong feeling in the public
mind oG this subject, and action has been
delayed in the expectation that some OF
the organizations now projected would
build on this broad foundaten-but up
to this time no plan has presented itself
SO broad and desirable in its purpose as
the present.
We do not doubt that the League thus
initiated in this city will spread through
every village, town and hamlet in the 10y.
al states, encouraging the loyal and strik,
ing terror to the hearts Of the traitors
who, not daring to take open part with
the rebels in arms, still stand beneath the
fostering folds of the national banner and
seek to break in pieces that unity of which
it is the honored emblem, and without
which it is meaningless rag.
1t is proposed to take large hall, with
convenient reading and committee rooms
in some central place, where the member:
of the League may meet at all times, anc
where, at stated periods, lectures aud ad
dresses will be delivered.