The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-02-05
GRAND ARNY o. TIE RE-
PIBLiC.

large number OF the different Posts of the
State being present. The Convention was
harmonious throughout, and was just
such reunion as soldiers only know how
to enjoy.
Major a. r. CALnoUN, Of Philad elpcia
was elected Grand Commander for the en- ,
suing year, and among the other officers
elect, we notice the name oi Rev. j. j
MARKS, of Post 134, as Chaplain General.
AT the banquet given on the evening Of
Wednesday, MAJOR CALHOUN addrcsscd
the Convontiau, and in his remarks spoke
Of the order and its Objects So clearly and
forclbly that we give it place in cur col
nmns, commencing q careful pcrusel by
every returned soldier, members or uct OF
the orr All cation.
'lhe Grand Army Of the Republic has
met with many vicissitudcs since its oreani.
zdtion. 1t would seem natural, after the
close Of the war, that men who had enlisted
together. who had marched together, who
had encampcd together, who fought togeth.
er, and who at last came out together to sec
the flag gloriousy triumphant, should seek
to become united iu one glorious org,nizq
on.-Thcy had many reasons to De tinted.
Like many Of my comrades entered the ar
my boy being only nineteen years Of age,
and came out grown man. Many Of my CON.
radcs sleep around Fort Donelson, where
we taught the rebels that one Southern n az
with a cornstalk could not whip five Van,
KEGS. They are lying along the Tennessee
river. They are lying on the bloody fields
of Shiloh. Following Grant in his campaign
a(cng the banks OF Ston, river, they also
lie there. We should revere their memory
And now since the war has closed, it was
well that we should gather together and
form an organization. We came together
however, in 40 quartisan spirit. When
this Grand Army Of the Republic was or
ganizcd we did 10! say that the officer,
alone should come in. 1t became a lcvc
institution. No matter whether man wa,
private or M'joy GaucrIl. We did POI
ask whether thai mau entered the army
Democrat Or Republican. We did not asl
at what alter he kncci,. We applied onl,
one test, and that is that he went into th,
army Will brave mctye We did no
ask to what nationality he belonged W,
care not whether lie is a son Of Jacob O
the dUwntrodded son Of IIam.-We grlsI
his hand and call him fricnd. [Applause
We have no distinction Of color; We hav
no national hatred in this grand orgrniza
ti,n, The only test is loyalty. [A(
plause, 1t is very strange tat after tn
war closed we had rot more members i
our ranks. Our object in forming the Gran
Army of the Republic was not to place an
members o? that army in political position
But, if we. see a mamed soldier, if we Sc
a starving orphan, il We sec widow strug
ling to maintain herself aud family, we vi
lend helping hand. This is our gran
mission. We arc gathered together in OF
glorious brotherhood, not only to rerpetu
ate the memories Of the past, but to do NJ
bic deeds in the future. Our Crgani2atiC
is not political one. We have nothing
do with political organizations. No matt
TO what party man may belong he ca
become a member of this organization.
the first place our object is to become goC
law-abiding citizens, and in the next to
ready, should treason again raise its hei
to again enter the army. We are now ell
teling upon grand mission. Let no mel
Der be laithless to his duty. Lend hel
irg hand to all who may ask for aid. She
the people that you have worthy object
coming together, and in being members
such a glorious organization. About ST
900 citizens Of this State left their honl
to battle for their country. About 27O OF
men were permitted 20 return to th'
homes, leaving $4,000 who perished up
the battlefield. Let us gather togcth
as many OF the living as we can, 50 that
may do a still greater work.
will aid you all can, and hope that
Grand Army of the Republic will stand
the old army of Pennsylvania did in di
gone by.
A HOST DETERMLNED SUICLG