Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-04-25
Union Leagues.

States; an unwavering support Of its efforts
to suppress the rebellion" and to "mainta;n
unimpair"d the national unity, both it, princi-
pal and territorial boundary" The organiza-
ton in New York city is composed Of thou.
sands of men, of which Lieut. Gen. Scott is
President. These associations find great IA
vor with the Union masses, as a means of sue
c~cssfully combating the ncfarious schemes and
conspiracips of Northern traitors. This will
neutralizc and subdue the influence which
pieces the Union soldier letween two fires
enemies in the field and foes at home. No
one who has carefully watched the drift of
events will be disposed to doubt that but a
few months ago, several of the Northern
States appeared TO be on tho verge of a preci-
pice-threatcncd by the workings Of fearful
secret conspiracy, tho success of which would
have been purchased by the drenching of
every foot of American soil in human gore.
But the prrnonitory indications of tAo coming
storm were not disregarded, and the North
stands prepared to punish domestic treason
and subdue the rebellion besides.
This organization has already extended to
this coast, and Union Leagues are being
formed throughout California. The warning
on this coast came in a manner not to be mis-.
taken, and met with a response which demon.
strates that though the American people may
be possessed of their full share of skepticism,
and pursue their vocations with an apparently
stoical Indifference, they are not slow to act
when convinced Of impending danger. May
the Union Leagues spread until they find Il
place in every city, town and village where
i%ncipient treason exists.
The New York Times contains an article so
ably urguing the Necessity for this movement
that we transfer it to our columns. That pa.
per says:
1t was we'll said by Edmund Burke, in the
time of raging faction, when bad men COM
binc, the good must associate, else they will
fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a con-
temptiblc struggle"
The chief fault of tho great loyal majority
of our people has been that they have neg
lected organization. They have left this tire.
mendous instrumentality almost entirely in
the hands of their advcrsaries. The true ex-
PLANTATION of the alarming growth of the Cop
perlead policy throughout the Northwest lies
in the secret operations of the knights of the
Golden Circle and affiliated societies. BY
their clandestinc and thoroughly concerted
management they We're able to get the con-
troll OF the Democratic organization and fill up
the Legislature with men willing to lend them
selves to. any schemes, however disloyal.
They completely circumvented and over
slaughed the real sentiment of the people.
These societies have their kindred associations
in the East, somewhat inferior, perhaps, in
completeness of system and secrecy of opera
ton. but still laboring steadily towards the
same traitorous ends. The Jacobinical Club
of this city, which styles itself the "Demo-
cratic Union association" does one part of
their work, and the conclaves to raise the wind
for scattering peace speeches and papers do
another part. Their associated efforts are
daily becoming more extended and effective.
They have already wrought prodigious mis-
chief; yet. considering what they aim at,
their work has but just begun. They are fast
going on from audacity to audacity, and even
now they do not shrink from the word Revo.
luton.
Loyal men have too long given a clear field
to these miscrcants. They have taken it for
granted that their cause was too sacred to be
seriously injured by faction. They have
looked passivcly on and made no sign, or
have indu|ged in croakings and grumblings
directly calculated to strengthen the hands of
factionists, though not SO designed. Consid-
cring the untiring activity of the enemies Of
the Government on the one hand, and the
general remissncss of loyal men on the other,
the wonder is, not that the popular heart is so
greatly relaxed, but that it has not become
completely dcmoralizcd. 1t is not in human
nature to be constantly subject to the free
play of such adverse influence without a bad
effect. No cause has strength or sancthy
enough to secure steady fidelity without some
organized effort. Even the Christian religion
itself has to organize to provide for a constant
stirring up Of its adhcrents by way of remem-
brance, and successfully make way against
its enemies.
One advantage perhaps, has resulted from
the i%naction of loya! men. The rebel SYM
pathizcrs have been cmboldcned to reveal
their spirit and purposes with a ~fullness they
otherwise would have avoided. The wayfar-
ing man, though a fool, needs no longer have
a glimmcring doubt as to their essential dis
loyalty. The delay has relieved true Union
ism Of no small amount of trouble in smok-
ing out its advcrsarics from their old coverts.
OF their own accord they have come out into
broad daylight and with defiant front. We
know now just where to find them and how
to meet them. No blows need be wasted.
1t can very soon be settled which side is to