The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-04
THE LOYAL LEAGUE.

the SubJolned extracts rom the ritual or the
"Union League Of America" s transferred Ueroattm
ct ltteratfm from tattered original, which. after
seeing much hard service in the States of Louisiana
and Mississippi fell into the hands Of one Of the
HERALD correspondents in that section Of the coun
try. Its authenticity is attested by the certificate
and signatures OF ~. NJ Edmunds, President National
Council Union League Of America" and "Theodore
F. Stokes, Recording Secretary" 1t is all stupid
bosh OF courses but the fact that this organization
numbers from ten to fifty thousand negro members
in every Southern State, each Of whom
Ia compelled to contribute fifty cents week
two dollars m0nth-of his hard earned money to
sustain the perpatetic emissares of the league rem
ders 1t at least as wicked as 1t Is powerful The
formula Of initiation would seem to be clumsy
burlesque on Masonry. The only point in the whole
thing lies in the oath that the candidate twill vote
only for and but those who advocate and support
the great principles OF the league to fill any office Of
honor profit trust In either the State or general
government All the twadde about education and
the rest Of it is only much char to cover up this
grain of corn BY the fancied terrOrs Of this oath
and the accompanying red fire and tomfOolery
thousands OF negroes have been controlled in their
electoral franchise and compelled to vote for Just
such candidates the carpet-baggers chose to put
before them. 1t was the discovery OF this Identical
ritual and the use the democrats made Of it in con-
vncing the negroes that the obligation they had
taken was illegal and not binding upon them which
carried the State OF Mississippi and enabled the
democrats to defeat the proposed constitution with
negro votes.
The following extracts have been made from the
ritual
FORM OF CoUNCIL-oFFIcERs AND THEIR STA
TIoNS
The officers of Council OF the U. L. A. are a
President, Vice President Assistant Vice President
Treasurer, Secretary, Marshal Herald. Sentinel and
Chaplain.
The P. occupies the principal station in the room,
v r and A. V: r. at opposite end and In front OF the
P T. ut the left hand OF the Pr Sec ut right hand OF
p, M. near the V. p, Ii. within the inner door, s.
within the outer door, and Chaplain at the centre Of
the room, ON the right.
Altar Holy Bible, Declaration OF Independence,
Censor of lncense,+ Sword, Gavel, Ballot Box and
Sickle, Shuttle, Anvil or other emblem OF industry.
Tho Fire of Liberty be kindled in the obtained
ceho sataraie sponge with small portion Of liquid,
Chloride Of strona the proportion Of one to eight the
above solution spned on the sponge will change the flame
If these cannot be obtained taper candle may be sub
OPENING A COUNCIL.
The President assumes the chair and gives one rap
win s Tn. Ma gaSy then paces the DAG and emblems
upon the altar the books being open and the sword
lying across them, In which position they will re-
main during the session OF q.
The Marshal ascertans II any are awaiting initia-
The Assistant Vice President, accompanied by
the Marshall retires to the anteroom, ana having In
due form administered the pledge OF secrecy to each
and every one present makes known to them tine OBJ
jects or the League and prOp0undS to each the re-
quisite interrogat0ries AZ provided in the ritual.
After detailing the objects OF the order and pro-
pounding series Of questions, all Of which being
answered In the affirmative Dy those seeking admis
sna conducts the candidates to the door the lodge
when the private signal Is given, and admittance be-
Ing obtained the vice president addresses the candi
dates on the true principles OF popular government,
liberty, education, partisan strife aud the boon OF
freedom winding up by stating that the candidate
Is required to take serious and binding obligation.
III the candidate agrees he Is permitted to approach
the altar and the chaplain makes prayer.
=. The prayer. concluded, the room is darkened and
the marshal lights the fire OF liberty, TO burn during
the administration OF tine obligation; the members
are then notified To Join hands In circle around the
upon ne candidate TO place ms left hand on the ma
tional flag and raise his right hand toward heaven
and repeat after him the following
OBLIGATION.
leach repeating his own name). with an uplifted
hand, In tue presence OF Goa and these witnesses do
soennly swear or alrm II conscientiously opposed)
without mental reservation in me OF kind, that
Will support protect and defend the constitution and
governments OF the United States OF America one and
foreign ana domestic: that tcia pote onSyyo1 and
~ me Oat those rhO ddrOcdte ana support TIE great
principles SEQ o by this League TO gu any Office or
honor profit on trust in either the state General
government, ana nat II called TO Jul any 0pice
uU Jdttiiy carry out The principles set ,0rth on
hts League. And further, that | will protect and
defend all worthy members OF the Union League Of
America, and that l will never In any manner or
form divuge or make known TO any person or per.
sons not worthy members Of this organization any OF
the signs, passwords. grips, proceedings, designs,
debates or plans OF this or any other council Of this
organization, unless when engaged In admitting new
members. and with my right hand on the Holy Bible,
Declaration OF Independence and the constitution OF
the United states Of America l acknowledge myself
firmly bound and pledged to the faithful perform
ance Of this my solemn Obligation SO help me God.
Response by the MEMBERSHIP this we pledge our
selves.
Observation-Disclosures around you ia a band q
brothers alike sacredy pledged. This circle is
to be broken by treachery.
Response by the Members-Never.
Observation-Disclosures, VIII you enlarge your circle
TO admit new membersS
Response bv the Members-We will.
President-Prepare then for accessions to your
ranks. The circle Will here be opened and the new
President-with clasped and uplifted hands repeat
after me the freeman's pledge:-To defend and per-
petuae freedom, political equality and an indvsibe
Union pledge my life, my fortune and my sacred
honor. SO help me God.
Here follows a patriotic ode at the discretion OF
the q.
The members OF the council will now be seated and
the candidates VIII take their places before the
The p will then deliver the charge, a. follows:-
CHARGE.
The oath which you have taken Of your own free
will and accord cannot be Violated nithom leaving
the stain or perjury on POUR soA. You have de-
clared that under God your first and highest ALE
glance Is TO the government OF the United states Of
America, one and indivsibe. You have taken q
solemn oath OF allegiance upon the holy Bible, con-
stltution and Declaration OF Independence lying
within the folds OF the nag OF the Union. These
tain the enduring records OF our rights and priv.
leges. The symbols OF industry which greet you
upon the altar to remind you OF the great pur.
poses OF our order and to represent the foundation
upon which our Institutions rest.
To strengthen and elevate this Is TO add to the
grandeur aud durability Of the structure we up.
hold.
The Bible contains mans moral code and the prn.
ciples OF religious faith The Declaration Of inde
pendence declares as selevdent truths that all
are created equal endowed by their Creator with In
aenabe rights To life, liberty and the pursuit Of
happiness. The constitution IL instrument reduc
ing TO practice the precepis Of the Declaration 1t IL
liberty regulated by law
| The sword is weapon OF defence and protection.
Lastly, the light you behold burning upon the altar
Is emblematcal OF the sacred fires OF liberty which
burn forever In the hearts and breasts Of true
patriots.