The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1868-01-24

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wuz white man ever knowd to do
sich things ? and the result will be the
triumph we want. Their amt no
danger in this line NV ackshen, for ez
the nigger hez no vote in the North
ther amt no body to stand up for
him.
Eternal vigilence is the price NV
liberty. Let our vigilence be ez near
eternal ez possible. One pull and we
shell hev passed the Jordon Let us
make the most NV our opportunities.
PETROLEUM V. Massey, p. NJ,
(Which is Postmaster
Tho Objects of the Grand Army of
the Republic.
The Grand Encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic met in
Columbus on the Sth of January
From the annual address by the
Grand Commander, General Thomas
L. Young, of Cincinnati. we make the
following extract, setting forth the
purposes of the Order:
If our organization had no greater
scope, no other object than a purely
benevolent one, then might we now
congratulate ourselves On having at
tanned that end Systematically, so far
at least as our limited means would
permit-but it must not be forgotten
that we have many other noble tasks
to perform or attempt. 1t must be
borne in mind:
First-That the Grand Army of
the Republic is organized to main
tain in civil life those great princi-
Piles for which it stood in arms under
the national flag; that it stands
pledged to crush out active treason,
to advance and support active loyal
ty, to secure sound constitutional
liberty to all men, and to vindicate
everywhere and at all times the full
and complete rights of every loyal
American citizen against all combi-
nation of force or fraud that may at
tempt to deny or deprive them of
such rights.
Second-That we pledge all the
power and influence which, as indi-
viduals or as an association, we can
legitimately yield, in the most espec-
ial manner to those gallant men who
stood fast by the country in the hour
OF its agony, in the rebellious states,
and who through all manner of losses
and injuries, prosecuted by force and
prosecutions under color of law,
maintained their integrity and vindi-
Gated their loyalty-and we solemnly
declare that no power that we can
use shall bei neglected until they are
thoroughly and completely protected
in the active exercise of every right
of American freemen through the en-
tire country over which our flag
floats.
Third--That Congress in justice,
and not in charity, should pass a law
equalizing in a just manner che boun-
ties OF Union soldiers and sailors.
Fourth-That we have pledged
ourselves to use our best endeavors
to procure appropriate state and na-
tional Legislation for the education
and maintenance of the orphans and
widows of deceased comrades and our
MANNED brethren, and to enforce a
speedy adjustment and payment of
lawful claims against the government
due soldiers and sailors and their
heirs.
Fifth-That as a matter of justice
and right, and because the sacrifice
made and dangers encountered by
the Union soldiers and sailors who
served in the late war for the preser-
vation of the country cannot ever be
fully repaid, we respectfully ask that
those in authority bestow upon needy
and worthy soldiers and sailors such
positions of honor and profit as they
may be competent to fill, and while
we ask nothing for ourselves or those
of our comrades who are able to
maintain themselves, we do earnestly
recommend this request to the con-
sideration of all in authority. And
we respectfully ask the attention of
the President to "his policy" hereto
fore declared on this subject.
Sixth-That the G.. A. R. is not
organized to make nominations for
office, nor as a mere secret cOmbina-
tion to further the ambition of politi-
cal aspirants, but its purpose is to
promote the cause of active loyalty,
and to advance, by all legitimate and
proper influences, the general welfare
and interests of the soldiers lately in
the United States Army, and to Sc
cure the attainment of these ends, we
invite the cooperation and support
of all patriotic and liberal-minded
citizens.
Seventh--That to refute calumny
and prevent misapprehension, we
hereby declare that while the G.. A.
r. has its secret ceremonies and
means Of recognition, such as are
wisely and properly adopted by all
similar societies to increase their USE
fulnes and efficiency, 1t, attempts no
concealment as to its existence or
membership, and has no objects that
it is not ready on all fitting occasions
TO avow; and that conscious OF the
business of our principles, we will in.
scribe them upon our banners so
plainly that all may know and under
stand them.
During the year i have labored
hard both by council and example to
keep the organization out of politics
as an organization-urging on all
who sought my advice the sad fate
of other secret societies whose lead
ers were unwise enough to try to
make them an active element in po-
litics. After a careful study of the
Constitution and Laws of the Grand
Army, 1 am satisfied that they no.
where contemplate political action as
a whole-but for the attainment of
.he purposes already enumerated
simply suggest individual action,
eaving the whole matter to the good
and conscience of each COM
'ade, very properly presuming that
| soldier who is intelligent enough to
the noble purposes of our
Grand Army in peace and who has
stood with barred breast defending
he institutions of his country in war,
will when discharging his duties as a
,itizen never forget the sacred prin-
.inles for which he fonoht nor the