The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-03-27
From the New York Evening Post.
The Loyal National League.

We direct the attention of our citizens to
an organization which is rapidly forming in
this city under the above name.
The enrolment list, copy of which is ex-
posed for signature in the office of the Eve
ming Post, bears the following title, which
clearly explains the purposes OF the League
"We, the undersigned, citizens of the
United States, hereby associate ourselves un-
der the title of the LOYAL NATIONAL
LEAGUE.
1--WE pledge ourselves to an unconditional
loyalty to the government of the United
States, to an unwavering support of its et-
forts to suppress the rebellion, and to spare
no enleavor to,maintain unimpaired the ma
tional unity, both in principle and territorial
boundary.
The primary object of this League is and
shall be to bind together all loyal men, OF all
trades and professions, in common union
to maintain the power, lory and integrity o.
the nation.
Among the various programmes and con
stitutions of loyal leagues, Union leagues
and Union clubs, We have seen none which
so we'll supplies the great need of the time
and so thoroughly answers to name OF
League as this. There is no money test of
entrance, the only condition of admission
being a willingness to sign and abide by a
simple and comprehensive pledge of loyalty
to the government and to the idea as well as
the substance of National Unity.
Now that the most poisonous Of the doc
trines of the Calhounites, those doctrines in
which the southern rebels seek their apology
for the most heneous crime in history, are
boldly put forth by rebel sympathzers, it
seems appropriate that loyal men should bard
together to maintain the substance and ad-
here to the glorious idea of National Unity.
General Rosecrans, in his patriotic general
order issued to the western army on the
birthday of Washington, happily expresses
this idea:
"Out of respect for the memory of Wash
ington-whose illustrouS virtues We revere.
whose wisdom, justice and Selfsacriicing de-
votion to national unity we resolve to imi-
tate and teach to our children-we will TO-
day renew to each other the pledges already
given by our past tolls and sutferipss, and
which many of our brave companions have
already sealed with their blood. We will
transmit the freedom We inherit from Wash
Z ipfn upirnnarol ff thu ,g
ton, one and inseparable,' or we will perish
. in its defense, bequeathing name glorious
to them and terrible to the rebel conspira-
tors whose vile deceptions have arrayed our
brethren against us"
This IS the battle-cry Of the brave patriots
who, with their breasts to the foe, stand be
tween the nation and the parricides who seek
IFS ruin.
That national unity which they pledge
themselves to maintain on the battlefield
let US all pledge ourselves to defend at home
Thus will our brothers in the field be encour-
aged TO feel that their privations and suffer.
ings are not in vain, and that the lives they
offer up at the shrine of their country's uni.
ty shall not be useless sacrifice.
There is a strong feeling in the public
mind on this subject, and action has been
delayed in the expectation that some of the
organizations now projected would build or
this broad foundation-but up 10 this time
no plan has presented itself so broad and
and desirable in its purpose as the present.
/ We do not doubt that the League thus in
itiated in this city will spread through every
village, town and hamlet in the lcyal states
encouraging the loyal and striking terror to
the hearts of the traitors who, not daring tc
take open part with the rebels in arms, still
stand beneath the fostering folds of the na
tional banner and seek to break in niece:
that unity of which it is the honored emblem
and without which it is meaningless rag.
Itis proposed to take a large hall, with
convenient reading and committee rooms, in
some central place, where the members o.
the League may meet at all times, and where
at stated periods, Lectures and addresses viii
be delivered.