izations controlled by the agents of the Freedmen's Bureau and other representatives of the conquering North. As the blacks were admitted the native whites deserted, and by the end of 1867 nearly the entire black population was brought under its influence and the order consisted solely of black members with white leaders. Several minor orders of blacks were absorbed into the League and it became the machine of the Radical Republican party in the South. In the North the League seems to have disintegrated after 1866, though New York remained headquarters for several years.

The methods employed by the Union League serve partly to explain why the negroes were voted solidly for one party in spite of attempts made by the white party to gain an influence over them, and why the races remained politically hostile after the League was disbanded. The strictest discipline was enforced, and personal injury, even death, was the penalty for voting a Democratic ticket. Night meetings, with impressive ceremonies and solemn oaths; parades and drills; promises of confiscation; threats of being returned to slavery; speeches by visiting agitators all served to keep the blacks in line. Candidates for office were nominated by the League and no member could vote for a candidate not endorsed by the order.

The influence of unscrupulous white leaders in the League was responsible for much of the disorder created by the blacks. Insults, burnings, thefts, murder- all were blamed upon the League by the whites. The Ku Klux movement was in large degree caused by the fear of the influence of the League upon the blacks, and after 1869 the League gradually broke up before the attacks of the Klan. The local councils disbanded or became public political clubs. But the negro had received a

training which he did not soon forget, and the races were politically alienated. Aside from its political significance, the League is important as the first of the great negro secret societies and was a model for most of them. These societies are a most important and, on the whole, useful factor in negro life today.

REFERENCES

ORIGIN OF THE UNION LEAGUE: Bellows, History of the Union League Club of New York; Chronicle of the Philadelphia Union League; Fleming, Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama, p. 553; Hamilton, Reconstruction in North Carolina, p. 61.

EXTENSION AND TRANSFORMATION: Eckenrode, Virginia during Reconstruction, p. 60; Fleming, p. 556; Lester and Wilson, Ku Klux Klan, pp. 68, 83.

ORGANIZATION AND METHODS:

Avary, Dixie after the War, ch. 24; Brown, Lower South in American History, ch. 4; Eckenrode, pp. 61-63; Fleming, pp. 559-568; Garner, Reconstruction in Mississippi, p. 338; Herbert, Solid South, pp. 41, 332; Phelps, Louisiana, p. 366.

2

6

Objects and Organization of the League

Constitution of the Union League of America. Extracts.

[1867]

THIS organization shall be known as the "Union League of
America."

ARTICLE II. OBJECT.

The object of this organization shall be to preserve liberty and the Union of the United States of America; to maintain the Constitution thereof and the supremacy of the laws; to sustain the Government and assist in putting down its enemies; to protect, strengthen, and defend all loyal men, without regard to sect, condition, or race; and to elect honest and reliable Union men to all offices of profit or trust in National, State, and local government; and to secure equal civil and political rights to all men under the Government.

This organization shall consist of a national council and one council for each State and Territory and for the District of Columbia, and of such subordinate councils as may by them be established, under regulations not inconsistent with this

constitution.

The national council shall be composed of representatives elected by the several State, Territorial, and District councils, and shall have the general superintendence of the League.

The Union League Ritual

Ritual of the Union League of America. Extracts. [1867, 1870]

FORM OF COUNCIL, OFFICERS AND THEIR STATIONS. THE officers of the Council of the U. L. A. are: A President, Vice President, Assistant Vice President, Treasurer, Sec

1

retary, Marshal, Herald, Sentinel and Chaplain. The P. occupies the principal station in the room; V. P. and A. V. P., at the opposite end and in front of the P. T. at the left hand of P.; Sec. at the right hand of the P.; M. near the V. P.; H. within the inner door; S. within the outer door, and the Chaplain at the centre of the room, on the right.

EMBLEMS.

Altar, Holy Bible, Declaration of Independence; United States Constitution; Flag of the Union; Censer of Incense; Sword; Gavel; Ballot Box and Sickle; Shuttle; Anvil; and other emblems of industry. . .

OBJECT OF THE LEAGUE.

A. V. P. GENTLEMEN: I am directed to state to you the object of this organization. It is to preserve liberty, perpetuate the Union of the United States of America, maintain the supremacy of the laws and constitution thereof against enemies, foreign and domestic, to secure the ascendency of American institutions on this continent, to protect, defend and strengthen all loyal men and members of the Union League of America in all their rights of person and property, to demand the elevation and aid in the education of the labor and laboring men of the whole country, to make our councils for the prompt and proper instruction of all men in the duties of American citizenship, and for the inculcation of sentiments of true charity and brotherly affection among the members of our order. Having informed you of the purposes of our order, I now expect from you a promise of secrecy before proceeding farther. Have I your solemn pledge to keep secret whatever may transpire in your presence? Answer must be in the affirmative. To the questions now propounded you will answer upon your honor and under your pledge of secrecy. Ist. Do you fully

subscribe to the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence? Answer 2d. Do Do you acknowledge that your first and highest allegiance under God is due to the government of the United States of America? Answer 3rd. Are you willing to pledge yourself to resist to the utmost