Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-03-07
Grand Army of the Republic.

As is well known to most Of eur
readers, this is an organization Of the
brave men who saved our Govern
ment from destruction at the hands
of traitors. Its objects are explain
ed in the following resolutions adop-
ted at a recent meeting of the organ
ization in Columbus. Some people
are very much alarmed about this
erganization-that it is a Hsecret po-
ltical body"-going to eight the
President" DC. We don't know
hew this is as we are not one of the
initiated; but let it be "secret," "po-
litical," or what else it may, we are
certain nothing inimical to the Gov
ernment can come from an organiza-
tien made up of the brave and noble
men who went forth to battle for its
preservation in its days Of peril.
Their patriotism-their love for the
Government and its institutions and
people-has been bathed in blsod-
proven on the march, on the battle
field apd in prison and to doubt such
is almest tr1ssaz itself. Here are
the resolutions:
1. That we inderse the resolutions
expressive of the principles and pur-
poses of the G. A. R. adopted by its
recent National Convention at Indi-
annapolis.
2. That the G.. A. r. is not ergan-
lied to make nominations for Office,
nor as mere secret combination to
further the ambition of political as
pirants, but its purpose is to promote
the cause of active loyalty and to ad-
vance by all legitimate and proper
influences the general welfare and
interests of the soldiers lately in the
q. s. Army, and to secure the attain.
ment of these ends, we invite the CO.
operation and support of all patriotic
and liberal minded citizens.
8. That to refute ealumny and
prevent misapprehension, we hereby
declare that while the G. A. R. has
its secret ceremonies and means of
reception, such as are wisely and
properly adapted by all similar seci-
eties to increase their usefulness and
efficiency it attempts no conceal
ments as to its existence or member
ship, and has no objects that it is not
ready on all proper occasions to
avow; and that conscious of the just
ness of our principles, we will in
scribe them upon our banner so
plainly that all may know and under
stand them.
4. That the benevolent objects of
the G. A. R. are to care particularly
for the interests of the widows and
orphans ef our fallen comrades; to
aid In securing employment to the
disabled heroes of the war, and to
secure by every means in its power
the interests of those who, during the
past contest for the supremacy of
the government, united in pledging
their lives and their means for its de-
tense.
5. That we earnestly request eur
Senators and Representatives in the
Ohio Legislature to appropriate a
sufficient amount of money from the
unexpended Soldiers Relief Fund to
publish the Record Of Ohio Soldiers
in the late rebellion, now being pre-
pared by the Adjutant- 6 eneral of the
State.
6. That the Trustees of the Ma
tional Soldiers Home should take
immediate measures for the location
of the Home as provided by law, and
that we recommend its location in the
State Of Ohio.
Z. That the Congress of the United
States should Immediately recognize
the Just claims of the soldiers Of the
war of 1872 by granting pensions to
the survivors of that heroic struggle.
s. That it is the sense of this
Convention that the Ohio Military
Agency at Washington, D. c., should
not be discontinued till Congress
shall by effective legislation have SO
limited and regulated claim agents
that the soldiers shall not be subject
to fraud and extortlons, and we re-
spectfully urge upon Congress the
immediate necessity of such legisla-
ton.
9. That we urge upon Congress the
justice of passing the bill introduced
by Gen. Schenck for the squalizotion
of government bounties, and in tLis
connection we would recommend chat
provisions be made for the payment
Of bounty due soldiers who have lest
their discharges.
10. The interests of the disabled
soldiers Of the country who are its
pensioners, demand that the sfice Of