The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-12-25
UNION LEAGUEoFA AMERICA.
IMPORTANT OPERATIONS OF THE LEAGUE
DURING THE PAST YEAR.

The National Council ofthe Union League
of America met in convention at Wood
wards Hall on Wednesday morning, there
being about two hundred delegates present.
representing the State Councils OF nearly all
the States and Territories. During the
session, which occupied two. days, many in
teresting addresses were delivered by men,
bers of Congress and other prominent per-
sons, and the proceedings throughout were
of deep interest and entirely harmonious
The subjoined is condensed report of such
of the proceedings of the Council as it was
deemed advisable to lay before the public,
the organization being secret in its character
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SESSION.
The convention met at 1890 P. NJ, and
was called to order by Hon J. M Edmunds
president. Mr.. James B. Boney, of Penn
sylvania, was appointed secretary, and
Brother D. R Brewer, of Virginia, as as
sistant secretary.
A committee on credentials was appoint
ed, and reported favorably onthe credentials
of nearly two hundred delegates, who were
admitted to seats; and after the admission
of all members in good standing to seats IN
the council, and adoption Of password, the
council commenced business.
Resolutions to the effect that the Republi-
can nominating convention should not be
held prior to the 1st of June, 1868, and that
a committee of three be appointed to com
muncate this expression of opinion to the
National Republican Committee, were
offered and passed, and a committee ap-
pointed. .
A committee to nominate officers for the
ensuing year and to suggest amendments to
the constitution appointed.
The National Executive Committee pre-
sented their annual report, which was read
by Hon. j. NJ Edmunds, chairman, and Of
which the following is an abstract:
The meeting was the first annual meeting
of the National Council of the Union League
of America, an organization which has been
watching over the institutions of the people
and guarding against unwarrantable oppres-
sions and entertainments upon the sacred
rights of those of whom the nation is CON-
posed. Though it was organized amid the
storm of the rebellion and the convulsive
struggle of the people for national life. on
the present occasion it had assembled when
more vital issues are pending.
The report further says that the situation
of affairs was anticipated at the last meeting
of the National Council, and every means
possible were used to avert it. To prove
this, the report quotes the resolutions adopt
ed by the National Council of 1858, 1854,
1865, and 1866.
The condition of the order at the date of
the last annual report, briefly stated, was:
1st In the strong Republican States of
the West, Northwest, and New England,
the active work of the order had been sus-
pended in consequence of a conviction that
the supremacy of loyalty had been fully es-
tablished.
Cd. II the great central but more evenly
balanced States the organization was yet
vigorous, and had participated with energy
and success in their recent elections.
Sd. In the border States and non-recon-
structed States the order was yet in the first
stages of progress, with State or central or
carnations in but few of them, but with
local though disconnected councils in all,
which were gradually and surely laying the
foundations for the State organizations.
Since the last meeting theExecutive Com
mittee had proceeded to the extension of
the order over that region with all possible
ability, but during the earlier part of the
year were somewhat embarrassed by want
of finances. 1t was not till the expiration
of the Thirty Ninth Congress that any
public man could he found who appreciated
the vital Importance of the work, the wide
spread application of which Invested the
authors of that direct responsibility which
they would have incurred in view of local
or less important measures. A number of
prominent Republicans then came to the
support OF the League, they being told that
if the Northern States should be held firmly
to the Republican standard, the League
would add the unreconstructed States and
Tennessee, and that those States would sus-
tain the reconstruction measures of Con-
gress. This promise has been fully redeem
ed, and though the result cannot he claimed
to be wholly due to the League, it is not too
much to say that it could not have been
gained without its work.
The cordial cooperation of the League
with the Union Republican Congressional
Committee since July last has added greatly
to the efficiency of both organizations, and
has been productive of economy in their
management. ~
The practical and direct results of EXTEND
ing the League over the South are
1. That IN Tennessee and at least nine of
the unreconstructed States effective working
State Councils have been established, and
subordinate councils spread over them with
sufficient membership to control results in
almost every county. In Texas State
council will soon be formed, and the man to
whom the authority was granted is the act
ing Governor, who is in hearty sympathy,
and believes that the State will be carried
for the Republican party ii6 s.
3. The party is indebted to the League for
a Republican Governor, and for Republican
Senators and Representatives in Congress
from Tennessee Tis5a ss fsikf
8. In nine of the unreconstructed States
elections have been held, and the party has
triumphed. There are about twenty five
hundred subordinate councils in the South.
In New England and the Northern and
Northwestern States no work is being done.
The order has been reorganized in Mary
land; and in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and
New York the organization is in full opera-
ton, and has large, effective strength. The
work of the order is temporarily suspended
in the Territories and Pacific States. The
receipts were $4,647 rs for the year, and this
sum, By strict economy, has betrayed nearly
all the expenses. ta4 q
The report then goes on to consider the
present position of public affairs, and, in
connection Herewith, the committees states ::
9 list. 1t is not only possible, but feasible,
by the extension and continued vigilance of
the League, to hold firmly and to complete
the work Of reconstruction, and also to