The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-07-26
RITUAL OF TME, UNION LEAGUE,

4 II <NIeEs -
A friend has sert US q Nell.worn cop!
of the eRitual ordercdsby the Nationa
Convention of the Union League o
America, at Washington, Dec. 18th
1865" 1t was picked up in the rOat
near Lynchburg, and is . duodecin'
pamphlet Of % pages.
Solemn, absolute secrecy is epjoiued
Imitation is attended with some form
Candidates for membership are ballotet
for, aud examined in the aate room BY
the "a. V. p" aud "M." Question:
are asked, the End, Sd, 4th and 9th o
which are as follows:
I'd. Do you acknowledge that youl
first and highest allegiance, under Goo
is due to the Government of the United
States of America?
Sd. Are you willing to pledge your
self to resist, to the utmost extent o
your power, all attempts to subvert OF
overthrow the Government Of the United
States Of America?
4th. Will you strive to the extent Of
your ability for the maintenance Of
liberty; the elevation Of labor; the
education in the responsibilities ant
duties of American citizenship Of all The
people of this country; the practice o.
true friendship and charity towards
each and all of the Order, of which you
are about to become member, and fol-
the elec''a or appointment to all place'
of pn, :, trust Of such men only as arr
rela6te Supporters Of these principles ana
n,easuress
9th. Do you pledge your honor that
you will obey all rules and orders of the
Union League of America which shall
not conflict with your lawful rights
and privileges as a loyal citizen, aud
keep inviolate all secrets and ceremonies
of the League when communicated to
you as such?
The "a. V. P" now reports to the
President, the "Nlarshal" conducts the
candidates to the Council, the s'M" re.
firing to take them through the door,
and the al" receiving them on the in
side, after minor questions on entrance.
The candidates enter in double file, arm
in arm, passing round the altar, and are
presented 10 front of the Presidents
chair. While this is going on "Tbe
Flag Of Our Uuion," Orally Round the
Flag Boys" "Hail Columbia" or the
"Star Spangled Banner" is sung.
The Vice President makes the fol-
lowing address to the candidates:
"Gentlemeu We rejoice that you
have thus voluntarily come forward to
unite With US. The cause re advocate
is that of our country. Banded together
for the purpose of perpe,uating the
Liberties for which our fathers fought,
We have sworn to protect them. In
tim Of peril to our Government and
the Union, it became the sacred duty Of
all true patriots to unite their efforts for
the preservation Of Constitutional Free
dom, and in thwarting the designs Of
traitors to des:roy the tree Of Liberty,
planted by our patriot fathers and
watered BY their blood. This, address
ed, in the main. to the late slave. =
Neither domestic traitors nor foreign
foes must be permitted to destroy this
nation, nor to circumsciibe the influence
and progress of American institutions
on this continent.
The first grand purpose Of our orgaui
cation has been accomplished through
the combined efforts of our order and
the galiantry aud perseverance Of our
citizen soldiers, to whom our grateful
acknowledgements and continued sppre-
citation are ever due. The legitimate
fruits Of this triumph are yet to be
secured in the complete ascendency of
the true principles Of popular govern
mcnt; che establishment of equal
Liber'y; the education and elevation of
the toiling masses of the RePublic; ; the
preserystiun of the national honor aud
faith the incnlcaticn Of 3 brc'herly
affection and trne charity towards all
tie complete and fnai orerthroo at the
bullet Lor. as in The GsId. ofMe olyarehy
Of Political leaders. rao soMghf 10 rain
~hcn thy co17d not rute. and through
whc,e errors aud wrnp.s our country has
been baptized 10 blood the establish
ment here Of an s.lum for the oppress-
I'd cf other lands, aud of beacon light.
50 prominen, and enduring 3. to be seen
by ali nations for all time, and SO uuer-
ring a, to guide all people to the certain
possession Of rational and true liberty.
BY means of the Loyal League these
grand purposes may be realized.
We ask none to join MS Who have not
the noble >entimen, ofpatriotism deeply
implsn:ed in their hearts. for such ouly
are capable Of ri.iug above the level Of
the ucre par'izau, and claiming and
dcfendiug the boon Of freedom for its
value L. is to sustain the
and the principles and
Holicy We have indicated that We are
Mi,ed, and for this purpose you are now
required to take . solemn obligation,
which l assure you does not in any way
sooaic. With the duties you owe to your
self. your faulty, your SouDtry or Jour
God"