The Van Buren press., 1867-06-14
For the Van BEroa Press.
LOYAL LEAGUE.

ASA 49, e~~~~~
During the late war and while the United
States troops occupied this place, few Of the
men who would bctray friend and sell them
selves, formed League" for the purpose Of
secretly wrcaking their malignant spite upon
the best men of the country; men who had
too much pride ofcharacter to associate with
the low flung fellows who had ilcd from their
homes and engraited themselves upon our
community, were made the subjects of the
vicious spite that low-brecding always pos
sess. This body Of men leagucd together for
the qualification in secret of that hate they
had not the courage openly 10 own, had the
eilrontry to order or attempt 10 have ordered
from their families and homes some Of the
Oldest and best citizens of the town and coun-
ty. At Fort Smith, the same thing was done
and one old gentleman, rs harmless as an in
fant fell a victim to the murderous bullets of
these midnight aSsasSins, because he refused
to obey the mandates of band of murderers
and robbers-John /. JohnstOn-as good a
citizen as any country could boast was brutal
ly murdered at his own door in the dead hour
of night by the hand of some of the foul con-
sprators against our liberties who denun-
ciated themselves, Union Le0guers." DR..
Bomford quiet, peace-loying and most eX-
cellent man, was ordered from his beautiful
home in Fort Smith, and his banishment broke
his heart and his sad story remains for these
iiends to gloat over. Many Others were or.
dercd and fled, Others remained and by the ut
most circumspection saved themselves from
the rufiian's knife, and the life takers bullet.
Not content with the bloody record made dur
ing the war, the debris of these leagues are
again attempting to produce further dlscord,
contention, perhaps open conflict. A few of
these fellows loving Office and plumber more
than country or honor are frequently calling
the negroes together in this cit, and on last
saturday night organir"11 Il League" for the
ostensible purpose of organizing the colorcd
vote .cr the coming election, but really for ul-
terror designs. Can any one who is familiar
with the atrocities of these Leagues believe
for moment that the only object of this Sc
| cret society is to organize for the purpose OF
/ quietly carrying the negro vote? BY nc
means. The leaders, pretended white men
white face but heart as black and foul as Tar
tarus, are bent on some wicked mischief and
the unsophisicated African is to be the TOOL
We cannot see the necessity of having secret
oath-bound associations, for the purpose
simply, Of carrying an election. If their mo-
tives and designs are honest, why, in the name
of peace do they not come out like men and
ayOw them and not sneak around under cover
of secrecy and darkness like burglars, mur-
derers or common thieves. Let them, like
honorable men show to the world their deed,
and let wholesome criticism, the great polt-
ical disinfectant, test them By the rules OF
truth and patriotism.
We would give a word of warning to the
negroes Let all secret societies alone have
nothing to do with white men who are so lost
to themselves as to crouch before you for youl
vote. Keep Yourselves untrammelled. and al
-.-,o..y 90 ,otc us y0u pIcase anu not as one OF
two office seeking white men may tell you tc
vote. When the time comes to cast your vot,
you can exercise your own judgment and vot,
for the man who may suit your own notion,
best. Vote for those who show by their ac.
tions that they are your friends. Pay bu
little attention to what white men, who ar,
seeking an Office, may tell you-for Office
hunters as general rule will stretch the trutl
terribly. They will promise anything, ant
the more they promise the less they perform
Attend to your own business, support an(
educate your family, lay up.as much money
as you can pay no attention to politics, an,
you will soon be living well. And when yol
are getting along easily, y on will be astonish
ed how well the government is getting alons
without your making noise to help it. TIL,
government is managed by comparativel,
very few men, and The sooner you learn thi
the better for you, We call ours a govern
mcnt of the people, but that is all nonsense
You and I.Eave puny voice at the ballot-boX
but the men we vote for do about as the
please or thcir superiors IN oace, please. S,
don't allow these imps of darkness to worl
you into fever about the maintenance of tn,
government; after they get your votes you
will never hear of them until the next elec,
ton. TRUTH.