West Jersey Pioneer

UNION LEAGUE MEETING.

Pursuant to a call signed by some of our most respectable and influential citizens, the inhabitants of Bridgeton assembled on Saturday evening last, at Grosscup's Hall, for the purpose of forming a Union League. The large assemblage was called to order by Adrian Bateman, Esq., who nominated for President, Hon. John T. Nixon. The following additional officers were nominated and chosen:-

Vice Presidents, Adrian Bateman, Chas. E. Elmer; Secretary, John S. Mitchell.

Mr. Nixon upon taking the chair, in a forcible speech, showed the object, the necessity, and the advantage to be derived from such an association. All partisan objects were distinctly repudiated, and all, without distinction of party, were called upon to enroll themselves; the only qualification necessary to become a member, being a heart sincerely and truly devoted to the preservation of the Union, the upholding of the Constitution, and the enforcement of the laws.

A committee, consisting of David McBride, Stephen G. Porch, Charles E. Elmer, Alphonso Woodruff and Adrian Bateman, was appointed to draft a constitution for the League. They reported the following, which was unanimously adopted by the members:

Section 1st, We pledge ourselves to an unconditional loyalty to the Government of the United States; to an unwavering support of its efforts to suppress the rebellion; and to spare no endeavor to maintain unimpaired the National Unity, both in principle and territorial boundary.

Section 2d. The primary object of this League is, and shall be, to bind together all loyal men, of all trades and professions, in a common union to maintain the power, glory, and integrity of the nation, and to discountenance and rebuke, by moral and social influences all disloyalty

Section 3d, The officers of the League shall consist of a President, three Vice Presidents, and Secretary and Treasurer; and there shall be a standing committee, consisting of seven members, who shall have a general supervision of the concerns of the League, and who shall be appointed annually in such manner as the League may decide. The President and Vice Presidents shall be ex officio members of the standing Committee.

Section 4th, The standing committee shall prepare such by-laws as may be necessary to secure a proper and orderly administration of the affairs of the League, which shall be subject to such amendments, from time to time, as the majority of the association may direct.

During the absence of the committee eloquent speeches were delivered by Mr. O. Van Derhoven, of Patterson, and Paul T. Jones, Esq., of Bridgeton; both gentlemen were loudly applauded. Mr. Jones upon ascending the platform was enthusiastically greeted. He commenced by remarking that this great outpouring of the loyal men of all parties, made him more hopeful. If men would only examine, read and study the history of their country, there would not be any difference in opinion among them as to their duty to the Government. He forcibly rebuked the doctrines of John C. Calhoun and his followers, and showed that the pernicious principles then taught, are through the instrumentality of his disciples, bringing forth "floods and whirlwinds of tempestuous fire," making our whole land a house of mourning.

Charles E. Elmer, Esq., next addressed the meeting. He advocated the forming of Union Leagues everywhere; the strengthening of the Government by every means within our power, and making clear and distinct the line between the loyal and disloyal, so that the sheep may be distinguished from the goats. Let those who are sincere in their devotion to the disunion and destruction cause, take their guns and go South. Let us have an end to this mock devotion, both among the loyal and disloyal; and when we have rid ourselves or have been rid of the enervating influence of the disloyal and semi-disloyal and the true and patriotic see and understand that they must depend alone upon their own strong arms and brave hearts, then there will be a blow struck at treason and the foes of democratic institutions, that will hurl from power the traitors who have first deluded, and then trampled upon the rights and liberties of the Southern people. The perjured traitors now wielding such unlimited sway over the South, have elevated themselves to place and dominion upon the sufferings, tears, human sacrifices and miseries of their downtrodden subjects. Let us all unite, all who feel that they have a Government to love and admire; all who feel that constitutional liberty is worth protecting; all who feel that the institutions of their fathers are worth preserving; and then with an unbroken front "and serried shields in thick array" devote ourselves by words and acts to the work that is given us of God to perform; to the overthrowing and utterly destroying this monstrous and wicked rebellion. Mr. Elmer was enthusiastically applauded during the delivery of his patriotic and eloquent speech.

Nearly two hundred persons have signed the roll, and others are constantly leaving their names at the office of the Secretary. There has commenced one of the most glorious and patriotic undertakings ever set on foot in our town. Men widely differing upon political questions, who have as different views upon the policy and expediency of some of the measures of the Government, but who think more of their country than party, have joined hand in hand to render strength and encouragement to the Government in its endeavors to crush out one of the most wicked rebellions since Satan waged impious war against the throne and majesty of God.