The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-11-20
OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.
Already onr friends of the Democratic
% faith are lamentiug over the results of
yesterdays election; and are endeavoring
to persuade themselves of the truth of tbei:
assertion respecting the defeat of their un-
worthy candidate. NJ
They could have withstood the return
of our brave boys from tie army to vote
and the presence Ct the guard at the polls;
distastetul; even as these measures were
but to submit to the insult offered them
~ the shape Of the oath Of allegiance to the
Cn'ted States GoeelNment--aeveri S.
The sympathizers nominated Charles
Brown upon peace plottornl-and Brown
being quite consistent-besought the citi-
zens OF Delaware to elect him, because of
that position. He addressed the people
frequently-always arraying himself in
opposition to the measures of his Govern
ment, and in favor of the rights of las
Southern Jyehern He abused the citi-
zens Of the North-the loyal supporters OF
the Government-without stint; and COM
'aended the acts, Though calling them rash
ones,) of the traitors Of the South. He
called the dominant, loyal unionists of the
Government, everywhere, abolition oisu-
nionists and hditors--and the secessionists
and rebel traitors, democrats, men contend
my for their rights. He contended for all
this, and endeavored to fix it in the minds
Of his hearers. He went step farther
he recommended openly, Gin his speech at
this place last Tuesday week, to "meet
force by force again at Millsboro'
asserted, Gas we are credibly informed, }
that in case of the recollection of Abra-
ham Lincoln, or of man holding similar
views, the Democracy % Of the free
States would reyolutionize the Govern
ment, and he pished to prepare the public
mind Of DeLacare for such state of
things" si
And now after spirited campaign, be-
ing convinc ID of the loyalty of Delaware,
Brown makes merit of necessity-by
Withdrawing from the canvass. You are
quite right, Mr.. Brown, in so doing g.
You have only made a mistake in assign
ing the pretence Of ian oath and armed sol
diers," as the reason for your present
course. You would have resigned all the
same, had no such oath or armed soldiers
stood in your way, Or at least the people
would have saved you the trouble.
"But," says Mr.. Brown, we can't take
the oath-'tis not consistent with our
rights as American freemen, to do SO. ~
OF course not. Having placed himself
squarely before the people as an advocate
OF resistance to the tegdt(y constituted alt-
horities of'the h1',d, how could he or his
supporters consistently swear allegiance to
the same. He had been all the while en-
deavoring to teach his hearers that has was
a traitorous party, and the Government
had no right to restrain them in the com.
mission Of wrong, or suppress their COM
plieity with treason. Arguing from such
premises he is entirely right; not only in
uselessly Withdrawing his name, but in as
signing as the reason therefore, " the ad-
ministering Of an oath" Well might he
say of himself and partisans, ace are trail
tors to the United States Government and
enemies to its despotic authority IRE love
and cherish the rebellion now existing
against tit is not therefore to be reason.
ably expected that ace will subscribe to any
oath of allegiance-it is out of the ques.
tion--and by your requiring us to do So
you simply deprive us of our votes-that's
ALL"
True enough, you are in sympathy with
traitors, and would be traitors outright il
you dared-but your refusal to take this
oath-thorgh presented IN the nsildest form,
Gas will be perceived by reference to anoth-
er column of this issue,) is only proof pos
tive to any loyal man, that you are dis
loyal to the Government under which you
live and are protected; and the sooner you
recognize your true position, and become
either open avolocd enemies, or ,cilliag and
Obedient subjects to Ae lao, the better for
you. What loyal, unconditional unionist
refused to take the oath, or would have
done so had it been rendered him-not
one: and your refusal to subscribe to it
only confirms just suspicious already en-
tertained. .t.,t !.
Now the only objection zoe have to the
oath as it'was administered, is that it APP