The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-10
THE UNION LEAGUE.

The annual meeting of the members Of the
Union League was held last evening, az the
Union League House, Broad and SAMSON SUI streets. s
The attendance was very large, ana heaVy VOC
was poled during the election lor OhCefs 10
serve for the ensuing year; =, o,o.o ,,r,,l ofter
,Doidnidbt orS a. was not thought that the 6nal
result would be known before Vi ooiooA 'n's
morning. -.
For he FIRST time since the organization Of our
ASSOCIATION, we meet after having suffered par
tial political defeat. II thls result were due TO
opponents, we might then turn with shame from
the consideration of our present position, re-
garding the late elections as q popular rebuke
Of dishonesty or weakness, and look with dis
may or with complete despair towards the pro-
bable future of the Union party. Such, however,
has not been our history. We have stood faith
fully by the pledges which we made, either in
fact In spirit, dufing those uncertain times of
conflict when we needed all the moral power OF
truth and Justice to gain for our cause the favor
of the God of Battles. 1t Is better 10 be in the
right than in power.
We have never been a captious and wrangling
opposition. We have never scrambled for spoils
and for offices, as though these were the great
ends of political action, and with the attain
ment OF them our whole duty TO the country
ceased. There have, doubtless, been self-seek-
ing men within our ranks; but even they have
been obliged to follow the lights by which we
were guided or to lose the personal prizes for
which they struggled.
that, in all its details, so far as human intell'
gence might arrange them, rested upon those
principles, we might smile at the impotent
assault upon our ontworks.
We may congratulate ourselves amid our re-
verses that our teachings at last have recOnclled
our opponents to a state OF things which they
could not change have made them grateful to
the wa1-Worn heroes who brought il about, and
have induced them to respect symbol that
represents more glory, past, present and to
come, than any flag that has seen so few years
and so many victories. Perhaps "manhood
sufFragen and the national duty OF securing
whole race against REINSTATEMENT will shortly
be rallyDg cries beyond our party lines.
1t was perhaps natural, at the close OF the
war, that there should be some abatement OF
the spirit that had heretofore impelled the
nation. Our people needed rest. SO much time
had been given 10 public affairs that private
interests had been neglected. The tragical death
of President Lincoln, the speedy detection of
the Vice. ident, the days OF watchtul dstrust
which followed, while the mcpent traitor was
d1vesting himself OF his pledges, and fitting him
self to become the supple yet despised tool of
those who used him against us-those exciting
events once more stimulated our people to take
general and active interest in public matters
When, however, with increased majorities we
had established az overwhelming skength in
Congress, when the treacherous Executives had
made himself as despicable before the nation as
he Wasgpowerless before our Representatives.
when the retributiye Justice of threatening
impeachment looked him in the face, and his
efforts to change the settled order of things had
been wisely circumscribed by legal eDactments,
once more the people sank into repose that
gradually became lpable apathy. Our vigilant
opponents were too adroit to disturb the letnargy
by any demonstrations of their own. Their late
political cam paign was conducted with a asence
and privacy hitherto unknown TO this turbulent
party.
Preiudices were therefore employed in the
place of arguments-the preiudices OF race. We
were told that "this is 2 white mans country"
and we granted it. We were told that "this Is
not black mans country" and we granted 1t.
We were then eeringly asked, What we were
talking about |" Certainly we were not talking
ahOuf other those evident
far as just policy might go, we were providing
race that had been our constant friends through
out our perils, when there was much danger
and uncertain reward in such friendship, with
the means of sefprotectlon and self support.
Whether the black man shall have the ballot
in the North, or whether he shall have it in the
South, are two very different questions. In the
North the black man does not need the ballot
Tor his protection; in the South his very exist
ence depends upon it, or what should be even
dearer than lite, his freedom.
We have but to adhere to the principles with
which we started-honestly, candidly infexi-
bly,, fearlessly, witho ut trimming to error or
taWnlng. on preud ice-tO see those principles
triumph to the stability, the enlightenment the
unity the freedom, AID the International gran
eur OF orr native land.
Among the events of the year, the interchange
OF courtesies between the officers OF the Loyal
League Club of New York and Committee OF
our Board of Directors deserves to be remem-
bered. At the invitation of the former Club,
our Committee listed New York, for the pur-
pose of devising such measures as would lead
to a harmonious cooperation am ong the various
Union Leagues existing in the chief cities of
the country. We were handsomely entertained
by the officers of the Loyal League Club of Ne "
York, and the result of the conference was a
resolution TO engage in an effort, which then
seemed of the most pressing Importance, to
organize the Republican party in the State ol
Virginia.
Accordingly, a joint committee, appointed
from the Loyal League Club of New York, the
Reconstru ction Committee of Boston. and the
Union Lea que of Philadelphia, visited Richmond
In the month of June and were Hospitality wei
coined by the Union men of Virginia. Whatever
discordant issues may have since invaded the
Republican ranks of the State, our mission IL
June was complete success.
The reception given TO the members of the
League and their families by Major-G General p
ii. Sheridan, on the 9th of september, and the
subsequent entertainment of that distinguished
soldier by party of our members, were events
that should be recalled by us with pride anC
satisfaction, not only for the patriotic spirit
which was kindled amongst us, but for the en-
thuslasm which was awakened in the city o.
Philadelphia, and which displayed itself IN many
ng to us and to our renowned guest.
Bya happy coincidence, Major General Sickle
was also guest of the League during Genera
Sheridan's visit; and to that tried and faithful
soldier and eminent military governor, we are
indebted for the powerful address which he
made before our citizens, unyeillng at once the
wicked perversity of Andrew johnson, and the
guiltysdesigns OF the still resolute Rebels who
approve his treachery and uphold his short
slghted policy in the Southern States
1dog DuIlng the present year, the repairs to the
9eIeo necessary, have been completed, and our
AsbOClallQn ts now in DosspssiOn of a building