Year: 1868

Objects OF the Organization


There is some misapprehension in re-


gard to this organization, which has re-


Gently been organized in this state. AL


though exclusively composed of those who
have been in the military or naval service
Of the country, it is not military organi'
cation, or has it any other than political
object. Il is nos secret or oathsbourd
society. Its plans and purposes are PUB.
lished to the world. Nothing is conceal.
ed, nothing is withheld from the public
eye. BY many it is thought to be an Or
ganization similar in character to the
Grand Army OF the Republic: but in an
tagouism to ita partisan objects. The
White Boys in Blue have but one object
in view, and that is the political regener-
Grafton cf the country They stand now
Just where they did when they entered
the service, and they are for maintaining
the principles and the objects which were
proclaimed by congress for waging the
war and suppressing the rebellion. Their
platform is brief, but comprehensive.
They are in favor of the constitution of
the United States, the restoration of the
states {now excluded) to representation,
and are opposed to the revolutionary ac-
ton of congress The whole purpose Of
the white boys in blue is happily express
cd in one paragraph of their constitution


THAT as soldiers in the field true to the
honor and the flag Of our country in preserv
a,,1f IS l.
in arms, we shall be equally true and faith
full At the ballot box, to save our country and
flag from destruction at the hands Of radical
ism, and thus preserve and perpetuate in
civil life, that restoration of the union which
We believed we had achieved in military
conflict


While in direct hostility to the partisan
character and schemes of the grand army
of the republic, and believing that oath
bound political organizations are danger
Gus to republican institutions, they make
no personal war upon the members of that
secret political society, nor will they as
sail or question their gaIlantry or integri-
ty as soldiers, or the patriotism of their
motives. A large number of soldiers who
have no sympathy with the radical party,
were induced to unite with the grand ar
my. upon the ground that it was solely q
charitable association, combined with the
idea Of keeping alive the friendship and
associations formed during the war. In
this they have been deceived. The or.
ganizers of the grand army had ulterior
objects in view, and they were to use it as
q means to accomplish their partisan and
party ends. And the white boys in blue
are organized to give all soldiers and sail
ors the opportunity to unite with an or
gsnization which reflects and represents
their political sentiments, and at the same
time helps to keep alive the attachments
which the war developed and intensified.


While composed of soldiers the "White
Boys in Blue" is civic association.
The members will not be armed and
equipped as soldiers aud they will only
wear badge to distinguish them from
other political organizations. Soldiers can
best appreciate the value Of organization
and discipline. In political warfare these
qualities are as necessary to the accom-
plishment of the end as in military. But
1t will be an open organization, with
their principles and purposes boldly en-
blazoned on their banners. Bound to-
gethcr by common political synpathies,
they viii keep step to the music of the
union, and uphold the glorious Cd cousti-
tuition, framed By the wise and patriotic
men who achieved our Independence as
nation, and established its foundation upon
the great principles Of constitutional lib
erty. And, they hope to gather into their
organization, not military or secret we
again repeat, all soldiers who did not en-
gage In the war iustigated alone by pas
sion or resentment, but for the purposes
expressed by congress, not for conquest or
subjugation, or to interfere with the rights
or the established institutions Of the states,
but to maintain law ard defend the su-
premacy of the constitution with the
rights and equality of the several states
unimpaired. And we are happy 10 state
that under this broad platform Of justice,
equality and constitutional liberty, impell-
cd by devotion to the public good, the or
ganization is spidly extending through
out the state.