The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1864-04-09
"A wonderfu, E,.o,o.ua....

the Council Bluffs BHgie. An this paper
seldom falls in my way. sat down with
more than ordinary interest to look it
over. The frst ching that met the eye
was this heading. in large capitals ::
" Daylight tetin on the Union Leaugers." !"
Now. thought I; for something rich. The
s.goat," the :: gridiron,"~ the horrid
oatbs. and all the dreadful things we
hear Of Is connected with secret socie-
ties, came into my thought at once, and
/ expected to lead full expose Of all
these wicked doings. So. with intensely
excited interest. I,began. to read. /
passed over the stations of officers !"
without meeting anything to shock my
nerves, or satisfy my curiosity. The
furniture of council" did no better,
except a little start at the " fire Of lib
erty," which is got up BY burning gum
Emyrrh and alcohol on a sponge, in an
iron kettle. This sayors little of the
incantations Of the sorcerer. The Bible,
Flag Declaration Of independence, Con-
situation Of the United States, Sword,
gavel and ballot box, are none of them
calouhted to frighten one, or do great
harm, and my interest fell greatly when
read that these constitute the furni-
ture Of the room OF the Leaguers. Not
word vet about the goat" grid
iron," or other horrors The " opening
ceremony" is very simple-but now
comes the initiation" and 'ob iga-
TONS" and interest revives again. Sure
ly, now we shall have the secrets.
Well, read the article through, from
beginning to end, and then re-read the
" obljgation," and must confess WAS
greatly disappointed. Instead Of the
- gridiron," goat" and terrible oaths
! to kill every rebel, traitor and copper
head that fell in their way, and to treat
every member of the League who should
betray the secrets a. the N4>0ns are said
TO have treated Morgan, lthe story of
which affair. though il occurred IN my
childhood, I still we'll remember with all
the excitement and horror it occasioned J
learned that the Leaguers, with prayers
and patriotic songs, pledged themselves
to only this and nothing more: ITO
support. protect and defend the Consti-
tuition and Government Of the United
States, and the flag thereof against all
enemies, foreign and Iomestici to bear
true faith and allegiance to the same !;
to defend this State against invasion, in
surrectiOn or rebellion; 10 elect true and
reliable Union men and supporters Of
! the Government TO all offices Of profit
and trust from the Iii CHEST to the low
est to faithfully carry out the objects
and principles of the League (which are
elsewhere stated to be, TO preserve lib
erty an! the Union Of these United
States to maintain the Constitution
| thereof, and the supremacy OF the laws;
to sustain the existing Administration in
putting down the enemies Of the Gov
ernment aud thwarting the designs OF
traitors and disloyalists and to protect
strengthen and defend all loyal men,
without regard to sect, condition Or par
tyQ. And further, to protect, aid and
defeld all worthy members OF the
League. and never to reveal anything
connected with the organization to any
one not o member ; and under the seal
of. sacred honor acknowledge themselves
firmly boxnd and pledged TO the per
fosnancs Of this solemn obligsaoD."
Now, Mr.. Editor. ii you ever got you'
ideas up TO the highest pitch when you
expected TO sse an elephant and lei
lthem down suddenly when the creature
| turned out to be only mouse you car
Imagine how my feelings, which had
been 50 strongly excited BY expectation
suddenly fell to sero altar reading tbs
article in the ,Bxgis, which was heralded
sfth such fiourish of capitals and ex
clamation points. Why, instead Of being
Eborrifed at the doings Of the ugly crea
| lures, / felt quite at home among them
tand could subscribe to every word Of 'Ae
adlress and obligation. The first query
in nv mind rnas, why did BAbbits pub
fish this? What did he expect TO gain
fby it? surefyi it can do rhe Leaguers nc
harm, but on the contrary much good
and if it is true, they have reason to
thank him tor making it public. There
lis certainly nothing in il that any ioSal
man should be either afraid or ashamed
of-nothirg in sthe obligation that any
but copperheads and traitors would hssi'