American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-02-10
From the Union Herald
Radical Union Leagues.


The Boston 7ravei2er says that Union
Leagues, pledged to the total eradication
of negro slavery in the United States, are
multiplying throug ghoutMassachusetts, and
are receiving large accessions of members.
In the opinion of well informed persons,
(says the Traveller, similar Union Leagues
in the Northern States. are already strong
enough to carry the next Presidential
election.
A Springfield (Ill.) letter, published in
the St. Louis Republican of the Both ult.
gives full exposition of the ceremonies,
passwords, etc., of the Union Leagues, as
derived from correct and literal copy
of the Ritual adopted by the National
Convention of the Union League of Amer.
lea, at Cleveland, on the 21st day of May,
A. D. 1868, duly certified to by the sig.
nature Of ]. NJ. Edwards, g. P, and w.
r. Irwin G. r. S." This work is de-
scribed by a pamphlet of three by four
inches, containing twenty pages. The
oath administered to initiates is as followI
Il, A B, do solemnly swear,
(or affirm in the presence of these wit
nesses, that have never voluntarily borne
arms against the United States since |
have been citizen thereof; that / will
support, protect, and defend the Constitu-
tion and Government of the United States,
and the flag thereof, against all enemies,
foreign and domestic and that will bear
true faith and allegiance to the same; and
that will also defend this State against
any invasion, insurrection, or rebellion, to
the extent of my ability. This l freely
pledge without mental reservasion or eva
sion. Furthermore, that will do all in my
power to elect true and reliable Union men
and supporters of the Government, and
none others, to all Offices of profit or trust
from the lowest to the highest, in ward,
town, county, State, and General Govern
ment And should / ever be called to fill
any Office, I will faithfully carry out the
objects and principles of this League
And, Furthermore, that will protect, aid,
and defend all worthy members of the
Union League. And, further, Twill nev-
er make known in any way or manner, to
any person or per~s, not members of the
Union League, any of the signs, pass
words, proceedings, debates, or plans Of
this or any other Council under this organ
ization except when engaged in admitting
new members into this League And
with my hand upon the Holy Bible, Dec
laration of Independence, and the Consti-
tuition of the United States of America,
under the seal of my sacred honor, / ac-
knowlcdge>myself firmly bound and pledg-
ed to the faithful performance of this my
solemn obligation. So help me God"
This oath having been taken with
clasped and uplifted hands," all repeat
the freemans pledge" as follows:
TO defend and perpetuate Freedom,
the Union, pledge my life, my fortune,
and my sacred honor. So help me God"
A patriotic ode" is then sung, num-
Der Of which are given in the ritual. The
following stanza from one Of the "patri-
otic odes" will suffice to illustrate the an
linus of the whole:
In the beauty Of the lilies Christ was borne soross the
With glory 10 bis bosom that trsnshgurss you and me-
As he diod to make men holy, lot die 10 mako men
free
While God is marching on"