, 1866-09-22
A UNION CLUB 11oUsI; IN CHICAGO.

A UNION CLUB HOUSE IN CHICAGO
The Chicago citizen who visits Philadcl-
phia and meets m acquaintance who intro
duces him at the Union League House, inva-
riably exclaims, Why have VIC not similar
institution in Chicagos .Ehis Philadelphia
rnicu League is an independent organiza-
tion Of political, social, and literary char
actcr. 1t In no wny intcrfercs with the reg
si;s17 Republican party machinery of Phfla-
dolphin, OF infringes on the functions Of the
ward clubs, or central committees, but Is
ruther Outside and auxiliary to them all,
working In its own way.
In 1862. few public.spiritcd citizens con
cclved the idea Of organizing 4 Loyal League,
to be composed Of the leadiug citizens Of
Philadelphia, for the purpose Of aiding the
Government in its struggle with the rebel
lion. and combating the fre-in.thc.rcar Of
the Copperheads. Unlike the other " Union
League OF America 1t was to be an open,
and moi secret organization. It was also to
be social and literary, as we'll as patriotic
and political. The project, like seed sown
on good ground. quickly took root, and S1cw
and f1ourishcd exceedingly.
Books were opened, and some four hundred
gentlemen came forward and subscribed their
names thereto. The terms Of membership
we're fixed at fifty dollars admission, and a
fee of1wenty-flve dollurs per aunum. Those
terms have never been changed Or reduced :;
House started. The League has gone on In
crcasipg, until now 1t numbers some ,s0o
members. Its influence for good Is fucafcu~
liable. Before the League was organized,
Philadelphia was corpcrhead city 1t Is
1p1~. .,s~11 r.
siaesed In That city socially dis1cputabse for
youug man 10 be Coppcrhcad.
With the means thus obtained they have pur-
chased the eIte and erected the magnificent
building lately used as the central meeting
place of the Convention Of the Souther1,
Loyalists- This building has all tho couve-
uiences. and, VIC might eay, the lnxurics Of o
first class club hoase and In addition, Is 8
grand central pIacc for political Instruction
organization and nctiye work. There is {
large hall for public meetings. There is ont
OF the best circulating libraries in the couu
try, aud G reading room where can bc fount
every newspaper Of any importance in III,
country. 1t is provided with numerous
emalicr halls and committee rooms, and I
always open TO members, and persons Intro
duccd by them. In the building, aud carrie
on'by a lessee OF the League, Is cornplct
Restaurant, at which meals, Mt prices Tcgt
lated by the lease, can be obtained. To th
place stranger visiting Philadelphia may b
introduced, and there he viii meet not onl
NIL tho leading public men Of the city, bu
those from other parts of the country VIII
may happen 10 be In the city. THIS Lcagu
has BY the contributions Of It's members ne
only amassed this valuable property, but h:
the means always at hand TO dcftay At ont
the expenses of any political undertaken,
1t can order the printing OF $lo. .o0o worth
. documents, and pay Tor them 1t can rccei,
and entertain MI public men visiting Il
city on political purposcs. It can invi
flfty spcakcrs 10 take part in campaig
and from It's own funds promptly pay tho q
penscs. It in no way intvriercs with the :
rious other ward or club Organizations
the contrary, 1t is grcat aid to them. VIII
they arc crampcd for means, OF unable
accomplish desired end, they cali up
- this central League, which is always able a
ready to help thtus.
The question, We repeat, which every c
. caeo man who visits this Union Ieae
House In Philadelphia, puts. 10 himself,
Why haze VIC not something like this In
casos And why not: Chicago has C.
stituency nslargc, If not larger, than that
Philadelphia. It includes ill the Northwe
beyond the Missouri River into the Te11