The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1868-03-28

not been realized veto be held in readiness if any
sudden danger should threaten the Republic Oh, that
great economical mistake of dsbanding the original
Army of the Republic when Lee surrendered Penny
wise and pound foolish Had the army been retained
and distributed the Southern States until they were
all In their ranks in the Union again would it not have
cost less in the end?
1t was but natural to think that the reorganization
of the Grand Army of the Republic had political
Specification For years its members had fought for the
preservation of the Republic, buried almost half
million of men that liberty might not be extngushed,
and looked upon the present army the remnant of
the bronzed and battle Scared veterans of the old army
encamped in the bosoms of their families with their
rifles shining over the mantlcs-in fact civic
army sleeping its waiting for the call of the
Republic What glorious object could they have?
Who had better right to watch in peace and guard
the country whose preservation cost them so much
Now, that are informed that in addition to stand
ing to at their countrys CALL they guard and tend
and comfort the wives and children of their dead COM
rades we take off hats with reverent admiration to
this great body of men.
It melancholy fact that nations forget the
who die for their preservation. In other
this disgracefu factmore papable than in this Republic
The armed one legged veteran is ostled in our
streets unceremonously as if he had lost arm or
leg in drunken brawl or railroad smash up. The
very who fought to destroy the hopes of the world
much respected-and far more by those who
denounce the "Grand Army'-as the men who limp
along streets in ragged blue. Is it not humiang and
demoraizing to nation to permit its defenders, who
have become invalided in her SERVICE to beg too
many poor soldiers forced to do IF those Scared
and crippled men, who stand in the midst of the people
for whom they fought, rudey Jared and their
services forgotten how must it be with the wives and
children of the men who are sleeping on the battle
fields?
God bless the Grand Army of the Republic who
have not forgotten the children of their dead comrades
Their work is glorious and from the bruised hearts Of
many lonely household God is listening to prayers
of gratitude for their The cry of the widows
ophansare drownedn the rumble Of the hearess
world but the fine Of the Grand Army" can hear
the dying words of their comrads rising above the
of commerce, protect our children"
Why will such organization pause if quass-loyal
journals or cry anathema." Rest assured that
the loyal people of America feel that the men who
saved their country in will not destroy it in peace
Indeed, while this Grand Army retains its Organza-
ton and discipline, and preserves that spirit that lit
through the Wilderness it is not in the power of traitors
to destroy the Republic. ooh, but these fellows
dangerous" cry some confederate sympathzers They
are dangerous and the enemies of liberty know it. It
is this knowledge that makes them pause in their
second attempt at the destruction of the nation Every
whose heart is loyal to Republicanism feels safe
knowing, that four hundred thousand of the Grand
Army" ready to march again at the call of liberty
We say then God speed The Grand Army" long may
it be the safeguard of the Republic and the terror of
those who would destroy the hopes of humanity