Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-09-19
NUMBER 70.

cases Of this kind can you recall to mind?
How often has the poor soldier toiled on
Day and pight to fight for ourcaus think
ing of the dear ones suffering at home?
Divorced by military necessity from wife
and family, and espoused to country, he
pressed on, saying: "Come what may, life
or death, we will save the Union, and will
never give ground till victory---cOmplete,
overwhelming and glorious--shall perch
upon all our banners" Wellhaye our bat
ties been fought until this gigantic treason
has been crushed sout. and the jubilant'
shout of victory has gone up from all our
charging columns. q. .4lf Itr.H e.lrCVr
5 Think you, my friend, this Government
safe in the hands of such men? Most as
suredly 1t is safe in the hands of none other.
Placespldiers, and only soldiers, in office.and
treason will hide its repulsive head, no more
TO olbe seen and felt in thisIand. How many
poor, manned soldiers do you see without
employment, trying to get a position where
they may be able to earn their bread with,
out being compelled to perform manual la
Dor, whilst large, healthy and stout men,
swho never heard gun fire, are, usurpiRg
all the offices of -pro6t.--A soldier can
scarcely get etnemployment--there seems to
De conspiracy against him. To remedy
this evil is a part of the business of this
Order, but not its entire mission.
. will now call your attention to the
great and main object of this Order: The
protection and education of the families of
deceased soldiers, OF the many hundreds of
thousands who went to the field, thousands
never returned, but belong TO that mighty
army of martyred patriots, who paid the
forfeit Of their hearts blood on the field of
battle, or lie hurled in the vicinity of some
general hospital The majority of these
departed patriots have families at thomewhO
Ia1 srnltt 3 t. orvNtp or
support. It is the duty of the people 10
feed, clOthe. and educate them. The poor
farmer mechanics or day laborer, as the
case may be, Is Induced by thief promises
of his rich neighbOr to leave his wife and
children, assured by him that they shall
want for nothing during his absence. In
spired with the love of patriotism, he
trusts mother, wife, sister and children to
the care of his rich friends, to meet the
enemy on, the open field. For a time his
family are meagerly supplied. They read
of the terrible slaughter and learn that
he is among the peaceful dead! Their only
prop taken from them, they appeal to the
landlord for assistance, but it is stubbornly
refused them. They are reduced to beggary,
and the result is that perhaps the mother
soon follows the husband to tile unknown
regions, aud the children are made servants
of those who treat them worse than the
Southern traitor treats the slave. This
is but parallel case to those you can find
IN any city or village. Our organization
takes the little ones and gives them home,
alike comfortable and respectable, and COM
pels society not only to do them justice, but
TO honor and respect them as children of
departed patriots who tell in defense of our
, free institutions.
D." This, my friend, is the principle Of the
organization to which you have attached
yourself and may God, the Great Com
mander of all, guard and protect this Or
der and all its members, and aid us in His
Infinite wisdom. May He ever assist the
Commander of this Post to so command as
will be to the interest of this nation which
has nursed and protected US with the care
and fondness of the mother for her child.
May He guide and direct the commanders
of the different districts and depart
ments of the United States, so that
they will ever have an eye single to
the good of mankind, and for the everlast-
ing preservation of our noble institu-
tions. ,... rr.lula ge e.. ra. a.t al
Having delivered his charge, the Com
mander of the Post will instruct
the officer of the Day to conduct the
brother to the Post Adjutant. Arriving at
the Adjutants the Post Commander will
command: ...,....
Adjutant, you will instruct the brother
in the signs and grips, aud deliver to him
the countersign of the Grand Army of the
Republic. ~. ..-.. ............. -......
The Adjutant will then proceed to in
strhct the brother carefully. After the
@ oAdiutant has carefully instructed the
member, the Post Commander will say:
Comrades, you have passed through the
ceremony OF enlistment aud muster, and
now with pleasure greet you as members
of the Grand Army of the Republic, and
trust you will continue worthy and hon.
ored members. You will now take your
seats as members of this encampment.