nser,
sword, gavel, ballot box, sickle, shuttle, anvil, and other emblems of
industry. He was told to the accompaniment of clanking chains and groans
that the objects of the order were to preserve liberty, to perpetuate
the Union, to maintain the laws and the Constitution, to secure the
ascendancy of American institutions, to protect, defend, and strengthen
all loyal men and members of the Union League in all rights of person
and property, to demand the elevation of labor, to aid in the education
of laboring men, and to teach the duties of American citizenship.
This enumeration of the objects of the League sounded well and was
impressive. At this point the Negro was always willing to take an oath
of secrecy, after which he was asked to swear with a solemn oath to
support the principles of the Declaration of Independence, to pledge
himself to resist all attempts to overthrow the United States, to strive
for the maintenance of liberty, the elevation of labor, the education
of all people in the duties of citizenship, to practice friendship and
charity to all of the order, and to support for election or appointment
to office only such men as were supporters of these principles and
measures.

The council then sang "Hail, Columbia!" and "The Star Spangled Banner,"
after which an official lectured the candidates, saying that though
the designs of traitors had been thwarted, there were yet to be secured
legislative triumphs and the complete ascendancy of the true principles
of popular government, equal liberty, education and elevation of the
workmen, and the overthrow at the ballot box of the old oligarchy of
political leaders. After prayer by the chaplain, the room was darkened,
alcohol on salt flared up with a ghastly light as the "fire of liberty,"
and the members joined hands in a circle around the candidate, who was
made to place one hand on the flag and, with the other raised, swear
again to support the government and to elect true Union men to office.
Then placing his hand on a Bible, for the third time he swore to keep
his oath, and repeated after the president "the Freedmen's Pledge":
"To defend and perpetuate freedom and the Union, I pledge my life, my
fortune, and my sacred honor. So help me God!" "John Brown's Body" was
then sung, the president charged the members in a long speech concerning
the principles of the order, and the marshal instructed the neophyte
in the signs. To pass one's self as a Leaguer, the "Four