The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-05-14
hc Grand Army OF the IIcpubIic--
What was the Idea of its OrganiZH-
tion-.NOtu POIiti- cnl Association.

no Grand Army OF the TtcpubIic--
What was the Idea Of its OrganiZa-
tiOn-.NOIu POliti- cnl Association.
The Grand EncAmprncnt Of the Grand
Army Of the Republic commenced It's
fourth annuul session ut Grand Army
Hall, in Washington City, at noon on
Wednesday last.
General Logan, C0mmandcr.in-Chict,
called the Encampment to order, and Rev.
DIR. Quint, Of Massachusetts, ChaPlHin.in-
Chief, offered prayer,
The roll call of delegates showed that
tllirty.ninc States and Territories were
represented.
Gen Logan delivered an address from
which We take the following extracts in
regard To- the nature OF the organization
now 80 well known to the country rs the
Grand Army orthe Republic:
"Thc Grand Army of the Republic is
noLa political organization, destined to
serve the ends Of any political party, us is
evident in this-tlnt all political parties
are represented in its membership us men
and patriots. Many Of us ninglc in nA'
tional and local affairs, but in doing so do
not take with lis any benefits Of our Or
der, our only political creed being the love
Of our country and its lallowGd institu-
tiOns. We have but three objects ObligH'
tory upon us Ns members Of this Order,
namely: TO promote the love and prac.
tiCc Of fraternity; liberal distribution OF
charity, and uncQuivOcal loyalty. The
founders OF the Order were NctuatCd by
the flcts that when the war ended We
Ind on the continent million and hall
Of fighting men. A greater part were our
own comrades, good md true, who were
IN 10 haste 10 lose sight Of every trace o
the associations Of soldiers life, and lei
old acquaintance be forgot. They were
flushed with such victories as no soldiers
ever were before. Hence they needed
some resort where they might meet to-
gCthCr in social reunion, and interchange
experience and opinions, and thereby
keep alive the vivid scenes Of war, inter
sIMfScd with incidents full Of interest tC
them, and needed something to check the
impulsivc, whose very spirit and flrG
make them such good soldiers. Hence Il
was conceived that good might spring
from these reunions, and that with certain
rules and resolutions promote pleasure
and security TO the Independent, and ma
tCrial aid to the dependent, and organize
tho survivors Of the war into au Order
that would be perpetual in its existence
and so successful in It's good work rs tC
shed additional lustre upon its members
again, q portion Of these disbanded
soldiers were defeated rebels, who, though
whipped, were not subduGd, and smarting
from the sting Of defeat and the perfect
destruction Of their plans Of COnledCraCy
were not likely to be very quiet and order
" citizens, but would more probably seek
to intliCt petty vengeance upon the heads
Of all lOyal citizens who might be unprO
tectrtl. Hence, while soldiers were re
suming their various avOcations, they, In
bonds Of society and brotherly love, stand
rs sentincls over each others interests, and
rush ifnCclls be TO the rescue Of brother
In trouble. Added to these were the taCl
that tens Of thousands Of our comrades
had neither homes nor livelihood. Tho
widows and orphans Of our comrades and
the nations martyrs were scattered over
the country, many without u Legitimate
guardian, and hundreds In lesolNtc hope
lcSSncSs, with no hope save the sympathy
and succor OF loyalty. Who, therefore
should more properly assume the lead III
these duties than We who in many inStan'
Ccs witnessed the SaCrihCc Of their pr0tcc.
tors in some fur distant field of blood? Fo,
these purposes the Grand Army Of tho
Republic was organized, and think We
can unhcsitatingly claim that right well
llas It fulfilled It's mission"