CHAPTER XXX V.

THE UNION LEAGUE OF AMERICA.

THE ORIGIN OF UNION LEAGUES-THE LOYAL MEN OF TENNESSEE-THE TRAITORS IN ILLI NOIS-FIRST COUNCIL OF THE UNION LEAGUE OF AMERICA-THE OATH-ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE COUNCIL-SPREAD OF THE ORDER-NATIONAL COUNCIL-THE OBLIGATION—IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK-SANITARY CONTRIBUTIONS-JOSEPH MEDILL, Esq.-COLONEL GEO. H. HARLOW-INCIDENTS.

WH

HILE brave and true men went from Illinois to fight traitors in the South, not less brave and true men were at home, doing loyal service for Freedom and Humanity. While traitors were organizing in rebellion against the Government, the loyal men of Tennessee, driven from their homes by the oppression of the slaveholders' aristocracy, banded themselves together in Union Leagues, and "in the caves of the mountains of their loved State they gathered around the old flag which had for so many years protected them and theirs; and with one hand on its sacred folds, and the other lifted toward heaven, solemnly swore eternal fidelity to it and the Government it represented and undying hatred and enmity to traitors and treason and their co-workers." From this noble band sprang the powerful organization which afterward did so much for the preservation of the Union.

In the summer and fall of 1862, the Union men of Illinois learned of the existence of a secret traitorous organization in their very midst, under various titles, but generally known as the "Knights of the Golden Circle." This organization claimed a membership of nearly 75,000-a claim which, perhaps, had some foundation in truth, as the Order included a very large number of rebel refugees who dared not stay at their home when visited by the "boys in blue,”

beside the too numerous body who preferred their party to their country, and who refused to listen to the words of Douglas, who declared there could be "but two parties in this country-patriots and traitors." When this organization became known to the Union men, very many were dismayed. The uncertain policy of our leaders in field and cabinet added to this feeling. True men, who never flinched, only asked, "What shall we do?" This question was soon answered.

The first Council of the "Union League of America" was organized at Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois, on the 25th of June, 1862, with eleven members, whose names are as follows: John W. Glassgow, Dr. D. A. Cheever, Hart Montgomery, Major R. N. Cullom, Alexander Small, Rev. J. W. M. Vernon, Geo. H. Harlow, Charles Turner, Jonathan Merriam, Henry Pratt and L. F. Garrett. Among these gentlemen was a Union refugee from Tennessee. The oath or obligation of the Order in that State was taken from his lips as nearly as he could remember it, and, as this was the first obligation administered in the Order in this State, we present it entire :

"I, without fear or compulsion, in the presence of Almighty God and these witnesses, do most solemnly promise and pledge myself, under the seal of my sacred honor, that I never will reveal, or cause to be revealed, any of the secrets, ceremonies or other business of the Union League of America.

“I further bind myself that I will support, maintain, protect and defend the civil liberties of the Union of these United States against all enemies, whether domestic or foreign, at all times and under all circumstances, to the utmost of my ability, and, if necessary, to the sacrifice of my life.

"Further, that I will aid and assist in electing true Union men, and none others, to all offices of trust, from the lowest to the highest, in town, county, State and General Government; and should I ever be called to fill any office, I will there and then faithfully carry out the objects and principles of this League.

"I further bind myself, that should any member of this League be in peril, danger or want by reason of his connection therewith, I will defend, protect and assist him, if in my power so to do. And, further, that I will obey all laws, rules and regulations of this or any other Council to which I may be attached; also of the Grand Council of the State and of the United States; and also I will respond to all signs and summons given to me by a member or Council if in my power so to do.

"To all and every part of this, my solemn obligation, I bind and pledge myself, and should I knowingly or willingly neglect or violate any part thereof, may my name be recorded in the Black Book, and may it ever be associated with that of infamous traitors. May all good men and true men abandon and leave me, as being au infamous and perjured wretch-a fit companion for knaves and traitors-as being destitute of every ennobling attribute of true manhood.

"And with my hand upon the Holy Bible, Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America, under the seal of my sacred honor, I acknowledge myself firmly bound and pledged to the faithful performanee of this my solemn obligation. So HELP ME GOD."

From this beginning in Tazewell County, the Order spread into other counties, and on the 25th of September, 1862, the first State Council met at Bloomington, where twelve counties were represented, and where the organization was perfected. At this meeting the following officers were chosen:

Hon. Mark Bangs, of Marshall County, Grand President; Prof. D. Wilkins, of McLean County, Grand Vice-President; George H. Harlow, of Tazewell County, Grand Secretary; H. S. Austin, of Peoria County, Grand Treasurer; J. R. Gorin, of Macon County, Grand Marshal; A. Gould, of Henry County, Grand Herald; John E. Rosette, of Sangamon County, Grand Sentinel.

Executive Committee.-Joseph Medill, of Cook County; Dr. A. McFarland, of Morgan County; J. K. Warren, of Macon County; Rev. J. C. Rybolt, of LaSalle County; Hon. Mark Bangs, of Marshall County; Enoch Emery, of Peoria County; John E. Rosette, of Sangamon County.

At this convocation a constitution and by-laws were framed and adopted, and a new ritual prepared, which materially changed the phraseology of the Tennessee obligation, and largely added to the beauty and solemnity of the initiatory ceremonies. New signs, grips and passwords were substituted for those previously employed, and which were adopted in all parts of the Union, among the soldiers as well as civilians, and continued in use until two millions of patriots hailed and recognized each other by their means, and only ceasing to use them when the last rebel had surrendered at discretion to the irresistible arms of the National troops.

The second session of the Grand Council was held at Springfield, January 14, 1863, when but seven counties were represented. At this time the League had not fairly got to work; and the limited attendance at this meeting, and the discouraging reports from our armies, cast a gloom over all present. The brave words of Governor Yates, who was waited upon by a committee, encouraged them to persevere; and a special session of the Executive Committee was

held at Peoria six days later, when a vigorous campaign was planned, which was subsequently carried out.

Under the direction of the members of the Executive Committee, agents were sent into nearly every county in the State. In October, 1862, the membership was estimated at 3,000 to 5,000. A few months later, nearly 50,000 true men were enrolled in its ranks; and in 1864 it numbered 1,300 councils and 175,000 members in Illinois. The simplicity of its ritual, the high patriotic ground taken in its obligation, and the necessity and importance of its work, attracted all men who loved their country; and there were comparatively few loyal men in Illinois who did not connect themselves with the Order..

On the 25th of March, 1863, a meeting of the Grand Council was held in Chicago, at which delegates were present from 404 Councils in Illinois, together with a number from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. At this meeting a committee was appointed to take the necessary steps for the organization of a National Grand Council. The action of this meeting and of the Committee culminated in a meeting at Cleveland, Ohio, on the 20th of May following, when a National Council was formed, with the following officers:

Hon. J. M. Edmunds, National Grand President; Hon. John W. Forney, National Grand Vice-President; Hon. Green Adams, National Grand Vice-President; W. R. Irwin, National Grand Recording Secretary; W. O. Stoddard, National Grand Corresponding Secretary; Rev. Byron Sunderland, National Grand Chaplain; L. E. Chittenden, National Grand Treasurer; G. F. Brown, National Grand Herald; George W. Kellogg, National Grand Sentinel. All these officers were residents of Washington, D. C.

The ritual, signs, etc., which had been used in Illinois were adopted by the National Council, with very slight modifications. The "obligation," which is now legitimately made public for the first time, was as follows:

"OBLIGATION.

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm), in the presence of God and these witnesses, that I have never voluntarily borne arms against the United States since I have been a citizen thereof; that I will support, protect and defend the Constitution and Gov

ernment of the United States, and the flag thereof, against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will also defend this state against any invasion, insurrection, or rebellion, to the extent of my ability. This I freely pledge without mental reservation or evasion. Furthermore, that I will do all in my power to elect true and reliable Union men and supporters of the Government, and none others, to all offices of profit or trust, from the lowest to the highest-in ward, town, county, state and General Government. And should I ever be called to fill any office, I will faithfully carry out the objects and principles of this L. And further, that I will protect, aid and defend all worthy members of the U. L. And further, I will never make known, in any way or manner, to any person or persons not members of the U. L., any of the signs, passwords, proceedings, debates or plans of this or any other C. under this organization, except when engaged in admitting new members into this L. And with my hand upon the Holy Bible, Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States of America, under the seal of my sacred honor, I acknowledge myself firmly bound and pledged to the faithful performance of this my solemn obligation. So HELP ME God."

[The circle was opened, the new members admitted, and with clasped and uplifted hands, all repeated the following:]

"FREEMAN'S PLEDGE.

"To defend and perpetuate Freedom and the Union, I pledge my life, my fortune, and my sacred honor. So HELP ME GOD."

As the address to the new members shows distinctly the animus of the organization, we copy it entire, in order to give it a permanent record:

"The Oath which you have now taken of your own free will and accord, cannot rest lightly on your conscience, neither can it be violated without leaving the stain of perjury upon your soul. You have declared that, under God, your first and highest allegiance is to the Government of the United States. You have taken such an oath of allegiance, upon the Holy Bible, Constitution, and Declaration of Independence lying within the folds of the flag of the Union. These contain the enduring records of our rights and privileges.

"The Flag is the ensign of our American nationality-the visible emblem of the sovereignty of the Union. Its stars represent the sister States, its stripes the thirteen original States, its colors, Courage, Purity and Truth.

"The Bible contains man's moral code and the principles of his religious faith; points out his dependence on the Author of his being, his duty to his fellow-creatures, the reward of virtue and the punishment of vice.

'The Declaration of Independence declares as self-evident truths, that all men are created equal-that they are endowed by their Creator with inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It denies the despot's dogma of the 'divine right of kings' to rule over mankind. It asserts that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed; and solemnly affirms the right of the American people to govern themselves as a free and independent nation.