phi11guy19 - You are the first person I've seen mention the Union League. I see posts on the KKK quite frequently, but you're the only one I've seen mention the League. The Klan is indefensible, but the League was no better.
The parts of US history which are highlighted and the parts which are suppressed never cease to amaze me. US history should be presented just like it happened.
KKK and Union League...amazing history there. Many court records of Union League members performing atrocities dressed as KKK to soil their image that were conveniently dismissed. At the time - KKK version 1.0 so to speak - they formed to discuss the same government issues as before the war, but were afraid to show their faces with the military Reconstruction governments in place. There are also many stories of them DEFENDING blacks against violent crimes. The second and third (current) comings of the KKK are truly awful and bear no resemblance or mission of the originals.
A stroll through and glance at the pictures on the walls of Lincoln’s Union League members will show how cultural diverse and compassionate they’ve been.