The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-03-30
AMOS KENDALL ON THE
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The Union League-Theire Oath-Theil
| Object-Their Means = Tremendous
Individual Responsibility--I Partner
ship With the President-The Army a
their Command-Their " Plans The
@Freeman's Pledge THE Negroe':
Freedom is what They Mean.
T. t7a@1a3 giat5-- g 2il.fas2s.. .lH
To all Unconditional ONION men of tht
United States: teat
The relations which appear to exist be.
tween the Union Leagues and the present
Administration, of our Government, make
it the duty. of every loyal citizen to inquire
into the motives and designs of those
icombinations., .4o,e - reif5.e',.a .g,
The basis of, these clubs is an oath or
oaths which have recently been brought
to light in the following manner, and in
the following words, viz ..i7-s ,45m rise
4 "a Springfield Illinois) letter. pub
lished in the St. Louis Republican of the
Both ult., gives full exposition of the
ceremonies, pass words, &C., of the Union
League, as derived " from correct and
literal copy of the Ritual adopted by the
National Convention of the Union League
of America, at Cleveland, on the 2lst
day of May, AID. 1868, duly certified
by the signature of j. M. Edwards, G,
p, and w. r. Irwin, G.; E. 8" This
work is described as q pamphlet of three
by four inches, containing twenty pages.
The oSth administered to initiate is as
foI wss.sTefsi.ee- 10 sos-e-,7 - y-.2- ff.S--
4r. /. A--B--,, do solemnly swear,
Cor affirm,) in the presence of these wit
nesses, that l have never voluntarily borne
arms against the United States since 1
have been a citizen thereof; that | will
support, protect, and defend the Constitu-
ton and Government of the United States,
and the flag thereof, against all enemies,
foreign and domestic; that 1 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 / free
iy pledge without mental reservation or
evasion. Furthermore; that will do all
in my power to elect true ana reliable
Urion men and supporters of the Gov
ernment, and none others, to all Offices of
profit or trust, from the lowest to the
highest, in ward, town, county, State, and
Ceutrak Government. And should / ever
be called to fill any Office, / will faithful
ly carry out the objects aud principles of
this League. And, further, that will
protect, aid and defend all worthy mem-i
bers, of the Union League. And, furth-
er, | will never make known in anyway
or manner, to any person or persons, not
members of the Union League, any of the
signs, passwords, proceedings, debates,
or plans of this or7any other Council
under this organization, except when en-
gagged in admitting new members into this
League. And with my hand upon the
Holy Bible, Declaration of Independence,
and Constitution of the United States of
America, under the seal of my sacred
honor, acknowledge myself firmly bound
and pledged to the faithful performance
of this my solemn obligation. So help
This oath having been taken "with
clasped and uplifted hands" all repeat
the !" freeman's pledge" as follows:
eTo defend and perpetuate Freedom
and the Unien, / pledge my life. my for
time, and my sacred honor So help me
Sod. SIS fs
These oaths have been for many weeks
before the public and there seems to be no
reason to doubt their authenticity. be-
lieve it has never been denied. gsa8 fst
Far be it from me to impeach the mo-
tives of all those who may have taken
these oaths or Joined these associations;
but am persuaded that they have done
it without due consideration of the stre-
mendeus responsibility involved in the
act The leading object of the Leagues
is said to be, no doubt truly, the extinc-
ton of slavery in the United States.
That object is not IN ITSELF illegal or
unconstitutional; for slavery may be abol-
ished by legal and constitutional means.
But these oaths are not limited to such
means. They bind the men who take
them to support any means for the, accom-
piishment of that end which the LEAGUE
itself may prescribe, however unlawful
and atroeious. They go further and bind
the member never to :: make known In
any way or manner, to pyperson or per-
sons, not members of the Union League,
any Of the signs, passwords, proceedings,
debates, or PLANS of this or any Other
Council under this organization, excer,
when engaged in admitting new members
into this League. = s,ss.,ssss -Vo.
Look at the comprehsnsiveness OF this
obligation. The "PLANs" of an organ
ization are always digested by its leaders
Does zrobkery enter, into their plans T
Their sworn. followers are bound not te
disclose,sitl Does revolution? They
They must be silent Does dssassinationl
i They must be mute! Are they capest
upon before court or jury to testify II
such "a case? They must PERJURE
THEmsELyEsll To all this the UnioT
/ Leaguer binds himself when he says
.sWithem hand on the Holy Bible, Dec
|laratien of Independents and Constitu
ton of the United States of America
under the seal of my. sacred honor, | &C
knnwledge myself firmly bound and dpledg
ed to the faithful performances of this m.
solemn obligation. So HELP NE GoD."
| Honest Union Eeaguer, is not this so
Look again at the, oath You have taken
! Does it except any aPLAN" which ma,
\ a. o.ta ~ haWeye