The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-02-20
What is It7

What is It7
A little seven by nine, what is it,
headed Extra" has been promiscuously !
thrown around the city which |
pretends to be recitation of the ''cere- |
monial' of the Nationals" and weighty |
justification of the secret proceedings of
the organization.
The first thing Of consequence to which
it directs the readers attention is what it
terms "a full and exact copy of the secret
obligation taken by members, as follows"
NATIONAL OBLIGATION"
l. Ipromise on my honor that will not reveal
the name OF any one present or OF any person VINO
may become known 70 me as member OF the
National Greenback League"
Nothing secret in that, of course, only
an OBLIGATION not to reUeal soho are, or may
become, members.
9, ~ also promise that will not reveal any OF
the signs grips, or passwords that may receive,
belonging to said League, to any person not
member.
Still there's nothing secret, only, anvoi2G-
Die secrecy as to the means By aohScl mem
berS gain admittance into the secret con-
cLdUe-thGt's all.
8. "Furthermore, promise that will not vote
for any to fill any Office of honor, trust or
profit who is not pledged 70 support the principles
set forth in the platform of the said National
Greenback League.
All open, manly, and aboveboard as yet,
only,a sacred pledge otfhonor to vote for the
nominees Of the organization,
l. Because, only those who are MEM
bers, are promised and pledged to support
the principles of the platform, or:
q Those from whom the organization
can secure solemn promise and pledge
to give the necessary support before he
can receive the votes Of the Brotherhood.
1t is not an "oath-bound organization" by
any means, the idea is repugnant to our
sentiments and feelings, it is only league
based upon solemn promise Of personal
honor. But
Among honorable men promise upon
honor is as sacred as an affirmation upon
oath; and man who would break prom
Use made upon honor, of what value would
his oath be2
we are brOLheIs
Brothers of what2 OF political league
banded together upon a solemn promise
of sacred personal honor.
"our common interest and welfare demand unit
ed action"
United action as to what2 The common
interests and welfare of O secret political
Brotherhood
We are ali witnesses Of your voluntary obliga
ton in honor given to be one OF u.s."
The initiation into the league and the
voluntary obligation of honor as to secresy
is duly witnessed by all present-''we are
all witnesses that you have given yourself
over and become solemDly bound to be on'
of u.s.
I'VE welcome you to our party" q
One more added to the list of Broth
erhood-one more whose solemn promise
oil honor is pledged to secresy and adhesion
to the interests and welfare of the league
Yes we heartily welcome all accessious Il
our political Brotherhood. But
''woe to traitors"
Traitors to what? Hark vel you ar
nor one Of as; you have solemnly pledge
your sacred honor; you have been dull
Invested with the grips, signs, and pass
words by which you can gain admissio
past the guard into the secret councils {
the Brotherhood; your initiation and you
pledges have been witnessed by US al
now tlen bewarel We welcome you {
one among US, but WOEl to traitor
The penalty Of q traitor to as is Woe +
the deepest imprecation which can
invoked.
oh no, our League is not a secret organ
ization. We propose to do, for the publ
view, as all other parties do, We have
platform-'how do you like the platform
Read resolution number g.;
1--WE deprecate all efforts to redress wrongs
violation OF law, and believe that through t
ballot box alone we must look for justice"
That is really very proper and exec
lent sentiment; every body can subscriI
10 that.
Still, to ordinary comprehension,
would be much more indicative of puri
at the ballot b01 and a desire for justit
If its purity and justice were not enda
gered by votes of men bound by solen
pledge OF sacred honor to obey the b
hests of secret political league, and
vote for no man for an Office of homo
tT1Gst, or profit, wholsis not previous
pledged to promote and protect the excl
sive interests and welfare of band
Brotherhood