Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-01-14
From the ST. Louis Republican
4 Full Exposition Of the Union
League OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
Grips and Passwords.
SPRINGFIELD. ILL, Dec. 26

Before me lies correct and literal copy
Of the Ritual adopted by the National Con-
vention Of the Union League of America, at
Cleveland, Oh the 2lst day Of May a. ID.
1863 duly certifcd,to by the signature Of }.
NJ. Edwards, G p, and W. X. Irwin, G.
r. 5. 1t is pamphlet three BY four in
ches containing twenty pages. The officers
of the Council Of the Union League are a
President, Vice President, Assistant Vice
President, Treasurer, Secretary, Marshal
Herald, Sentinel and Chaplain. The en-
blems and implements are-Altar, Holy BIZ
! BE. Declaration Of Independence, United
States Constitution, Flag Of the Union, Cen
ser of Incense, Sword, Gayel and ballot-box.
Tho .-f,o Of Ebortv, which j. lindlod
and burns during the administration of the
obligation, is curious and highly instruct
i've device 1t is obtained by dissolving one
pound of gum nlyrrh in halt gallon of al
cohol Saturate a sponge with Il small por-
iron vessel. and set it on fire. A little chic
ride of strontia, in proportion of one to eight
of the above solution, sprinkled on the
sponge, will change the flame to beautiful
red. This is the fire of liberty as under
stood and kindled by the \. l.. A. In case
the above drugs cannot be obtained, the
Leaguers content themselves with candle.
When the League Is called to order the
ordinary routine of ofbusiness is gone through
with, such as calling of roll, reading of min
utes, &c, and then comes the ceremony OF
the initiation of new members. After they
have been duly proved into the ante-room,
which consists in explaining the objects Of
the League, and the propounding and an
swering of certain questions, &c, the candl-
dates for admission are ushered into the
council. The Vice President then delivers
Address, after which the Chaplain prays,
all of which is Intensely loyal. The fire
of liberty is then kindled, to burn durinG
the administration of the obligation. The
members join hands in circle around tht
candidates and the altar, the President bein:
within the circle The candidates then place
their hands upon the Holy Bible, Constl
: tuition and Declaration of Independence, "
ing within the folds of the flag Of the Tn
, ion, and then the President administers Il
them the following obligation
Il (repeat your name after mine) do sol
+ emily swear Tor affirm in the presence o
: these witnesses, that | have never yolunta
rily borne arms against the United State
! since | have been citizen thereof; that
: will support. protect, and defend the Con
| stitutiOn and Government of the Unltc'
r States, and the flag thereof, against enc
t mics, foreign and domestic; that | will bea
true faith and allegiance to the same; ans
that will also defend this State against am
INVASION fusurrection or rebellion, to the
extent of my ability. This | freely pledge
without mental reservation or evasion
| Furhe,more. that / lrW do all IN my poar9
to elect true and reliable Union men aud sup
p0rterS of the Government, and none others,
to al offices Of profit or trust, from the to'res
to tie highest, IN ,cdrd, to,cn, county, Stat
and General Government. And should !
ecer be called to fill ony office, l tcW taitI-
fully carry ont the objects and principles o
this League And, further, that I,ciU pro
tect, aid and dctead all ,oorthy members Q
tie Union League. And, further, | vii
never make known, in any way or manner
TO any persons, not members of the Unor
League, any of the signs passwords, pro
ceedings, debates or plans of this or any 9th
er Council under this organization, except
when engaged in admitting new member,
into this League. place your right hanC
upon the Holy Bible, etc. And with my
hand upon thu Holy Bible, Declaration of In
dependence, and Constitution of the United
States of America, under the seal Of my sa
cred homer, | acknowledge myself firmly
bound and pledged to the faithful pertor
nance of my solemn obligation. So hell
me God.
The obligation having been taken ''witl
clasped and uplifted hands, all repeat tn
''freeman' pledge, as follows:
"To defend and perpetuate freedom ant
the Union, pledge my life, my fortune, ant
my sacred honor. So help Inc God.
A patriotic ode is here sung; number
of which is given in the ritual. The follow
ing blasphemous stanza from one of ths
'Ipatriotic odes' will suffice to illustrate tho
animus of the whole:
I'm the beauty of the llles Christ was born across
With glory in His bosom that transfgures you
and me. n.
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make
men free
While God is marching on"
There is less truth than poetry land very
little of either in the pledge Of the Leagueri
to ''die to make men free. Very little
dying they are going to do unless they