The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-05-22
The q. l.. Ats Defamers.

The q. l.. Ats Defamers.
Take up the record of those who are now
so bitter in their abuse of secret organiZa-
tions, and it will show that, at some time or
other. nine out of ten of them have been
connected with some secret order. We do
not propose to enter into any abuse of such
characters, but simply to show the consis-
tency Of the course they are now pursuing.
Secret organizations have ever, and will con-
time to exist and good or evil has been,
and will continue to be, the result, accord
ing to the object sought to be accomplished
BIZ them The old and time honored order
of the Masonic fraternity dates further back,
perhaps, than any other now extant. 1t has
been abused and Inaligned, and, we regret
to have to state, that some OF its yotaries are
first in denunciation of the Union League,
simply because they imagine its teachings
conflict with their political antecedents
IN their efforts to overthrow the govern
ment. Others who attached themselves to.
and were devoted members of, the Know
Nothing organization. are loud and wicked
in denouncing those who desire to carry out
the principles it was said to inculculate.-
Others who attached themselves to an order
known as the knights of the Golden Circle,
from which, doubtless, the Confederate vigil
liant committees were generally selected, and
whose ayowed objects were to hunt down and
harrass all friends of the Union, and are
most loud of all in their denunciations of
any and everything into which they cannot
DRY into and control. Such characters, above
all Others, certainly have the least right, or
show of reason, to denounce secret organiZa-
TONS What would these calumniators have
thought of a patrol appointed in the days of
slavery to visit the negro cabins at night
with cowlIides if they had, before starting
their rounds, sent runner to notify their
victims What would have been thought of
General Grant if he had notified the enemy
OF his designs in all his military opera
tions2
But whence cometh all this opposition to
the Union League? Who and what are
they! Have they been, or are they now, the
friends of the Unionl Watch them, hear
them, enquire of their political antecdents,
investigate their records, sclutinize their OBJ
jects and aims, and you will find that they
are allied with those who have spurned
every overture of the government looking to
reconstruction. You will find them warn
ing the freedmen not to join secret organiza-
tons; not to league themselves with the
Unionists of the country; not to vote with
them, andif they dared, they would force them
not to dolt; yea, they would force and the poor
white man too, toight for their reinstatement.
Talk about loyalty in one breath, and in the
next denounce the Unionist and their League
pretend to love the Union. and hate its
true friends All such loyalty is farce-a
humbug-a cheat, and he that Can be de-
ceived by such is fool, and he that will be-
is knave.
Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Webster
Jackson, Clay, and last, but not least, Lin
coin were leagued with the Union. All the
patriots Of the Union were leagued together
in such strong bonds of love for it that all
the traitors in Pandemonium could not burst
them. The organization of the Union
League is not secret nor new thing
Through its instrumentality the Government
has been preserved, and liberty and freedom
secured, not only to the white man, but also
to the negro. It's mission is sublime and
righteous, and will succeed. Opposition to
it, by the enemies of the Government, will
prove the very gist of its success. The
freedmen may be warned as with voices OF
braying jack asses, yet it will avail nothing
for they already know the League is ar
auxiliary in educating them and their chill
dren. 1t is doing the same thing for the
poor whites. 1t is disseminating much
needed knowledge throughout the South
and this is the secret of such stern opposi
ton. 1t did not begin in the South with
leading rebels and the aristocracy, hence
this bitter opposition. They well know
that the diffusion Of knowledge among the
masses is death to treason and traitors. i
begun at the wrong end to suit the enemies
OF the government-it begun at the loya
end, and an effort to stop its upward ant
onward march, will prove as futile as that t.
overthrow the government. May it prosper
and spread until every youth in every State
and Territory can, with facility. read tn,
Bible, the Declaration of Independence. and
| Constitution, regardless of race or condition
The calculations of those who, through
disaffection and hatred to the government
oppose the Union League, will. in the end
| prove as abortive as all their plans and sub
terfuges heretofore. Mark the prediction.
How long will men oppose everything
that is potent to their very best interests, tn
secret of which is reconstruction upon Jus
and equitable basisl Just 80 long rs OBJ
stinate opposition and hatred is persisted il
against the Union and its friends and up
holders. This is the key to the solution o
the whole question -Hendersonuille Pionee,
eO--