Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-10-24
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE UNION LEAGUE.

Messrs Editors Having recently gained some
facts in reference to this so-called patriotic organ-
zation, deem it my duty to caution the public a.
gainstit. It is gotten up chiefly by aspirants for
political advancement, who see no other chance to
get Office. These men seek to create the impress
sion that to be truly patriotic, everybody ought to
join the Union League. Those who are so conf
ding as to take this advice, are Immediately bound
by solemn oaths to vote for none but loyal men !;
but they are not left at liberty to judge for them
selves, as to who are loyal The heads Of the
League assume this duty, and they generally de-
eide that no one is so loyal patriotic, or tit for Of
flee as themselves The dupes, who constitute the
voting strength of the concern, thus find them
selves trapped into putting these schemers into
Office, and then the sole object of the organization
is accomplished So far as have been able to
discover, there is no principle advocated by the
league except that the members are to vote only by
permission of their masters, the office seekers.
Strange as it may seem, this trap for votes IS
meeting with considerable success throughout the
country, and is catching not few victims in our
District. Quite number of voters have bit at
the bait of extra patriotism which the League Of
fers as an nducement to its dupes and have pledg-
ed themselves, blndfold, toits requirements. But
have they really any ground to boast Of superior
devotion to their country? Are not their neigh
bors, who still retain the freeman's privilege Of
voting as they please fully their equals in all that
constitutes true patriotism? Let their consciences
answer these questions.
During recent trip into Cleveland, Lincoln and
Rutherford counties in North Carolina, had IA
vorable opportunity to witness the workings Of
another institution of similar nature and with the
same great object, of securing Office to political
trickstcrs This is the Red String Society, which
aims to make religion servant of its political ends.
It has preachers, who harangue their hearers on
the second chapter of Joshua, in which the story
of Rahab's scarlet thread is narrated. This scarlet
thread they claim as the origin Of their order 1t
is o significant ba4ge, as it commentaries the
time when harl>t anved herself by betraying her
country in the hour fits mortal peril. This so,
ciety binds its members to sustain the Radical
party, even unto death. As that party is rapidly
losing ground in the North it is probable that the
death alluded to will, in few MONTHS beconstrued
to mean the death of the party, and not that Of
the member swearing this touching allegiance to
the Red Strings.
Be that as it may the Red Strings are now very
enthusiastic. Their political meetings are held at
churches, where they preach, pray and swear al
legiauce to the scarlet thread, and march in pro,
cesson. In the vicinity Of the South Mountain,
in Rutherford County, North Carolina, meeting
of this character was held on the 18th instant.
was invited to be present; but having other bust
ness to attend to, was obliged to forego the
pleasure of witnessing their transactions.
These societies, the League and the Red String,
have numerous secret signs of brotherhood. A
member of the League, when he wishes to know
if you are a brother, will give your hand quick
jerk; but am unable to publish the response to
this mysterious grip Some of the other signs
are as follows: With the right arm extended and
the fore finger bent as in the act of firing Pistol
pronounce the word Liberty" dropping the arm
half way to the side, give the word Lincoln; -
drop the arm to the side, and pronounce ''Law -
placing the right hand over the heart, give the
word Loyal" and snapping the fingers and
thumb of the left hand pronounce the word
Lacquer" The sign of recognition is made by
passing the fore and middle fingers of the left
hand over the left eyebrow, as in the act of stro
king the brow outward. The answer -stroking
the beard or chin with the right hand.
COSMOPOLITE.