Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-06-20
address, the principal portion of which was
as follows:


presslv forbids the discussion of partisan
question in our meetings, yet we are bound
TO protect the interests of our comrades ant
| cannot avoid expressing my indignation
that Union soldiers perhaps MANNED anC
crippled in their country's service) should b'
removed from positions of trust and deprived
of their means of support, to make room TO
men who fought for the dissolution of tn,
Union. II is no violation of our organic law
TO call your attention to this matter, for it i!
one that affects every loyal soldier in til,
land. If this encampment cannot repair thu
wrong, it can at least place on record its pro
test against the act.
Soldiers must stand by and support eacl
other. or their rights will be ignored anC
trampled upon. We are not ready yet, IL
admit that the cause of the Union is the los
cause We do not admit that there is any
doubt as to which was right and which wa:
wrong, in the great conflict through which
we have passed, We had no doubt while
the conflict lasted, we have none now willis
we are confident that we were right and ON
opponents were wrong, we are willing TO be
lieve they were honest and sincere. We car
honor and respect the brave men who man
fully fought us face to face, hut have only
scorn and contempt for their Northern allies
who when we needed sympathy and support
kept up the fire in our rear, criticised oul
operations, magnified our reverses, and had
no words of encouragement or cheer for oul
success. Those we commended against were
our own countrymen. They were as earn.
est and enthusiastic as ourselves, but we felt
that their success would be equally ruinous
to the North and South. Therefore we
never acknowledged defeat, but after each
reverse, were ready to resume the offensive,
determined, then as now that in this country
there shall be hut one Government and one
flag. The Grand Army of the Republic.
composed exclusively of men who devoted
themselves to the accomplishment of this OBJ
| ject, will insist upon a faithful observance of
| the terms agreed upon at the close of the
| war
As the membership of our organization is
confined to a single generation, it must in a
| few years reach the point when our numbers
will begin to diminish. That time, however,
has not yet arrived. There are in the coun-
try many gallant and meritorious soldiers,
not vet enrolled in our ranks. Thousands
have come forward during the last year {;
but others for various reasons have held
back; the principal one being that our asso-
citation has been misrepresented and abused.
The charge that it is a political organization
has lived out its day and is now seldom
heard. Men of sense and intelligence have
learned that it is political only in the
sense that ii inculcates loyalty TO the Union
1t is secret only because it is necessary to
have forms and ceremonies whereby we can
distinguish comrade. The Grand Army
annually distributes many thousands of dol
lars in charity. The land is full of pretend
ers and imposters, and although relief is not
confined TO members of our order, but is ex-
tended to all who served in the Union Army
or Navy, it is important that we should be
able to distinguish who have been soldiers
and sailors, and who have not.
A question that is likely soon to come be-
fore you for decision is, whether the Grand
Army of the Republic shall die with the
men who served during the rebellion or be
perpetuated by the admission of our lineal
descendants. 1t has been suggested that
Junior society should be formed. composed
of the sons of those who fought the battles of
the Union. This project has some warm adj
vocates, and may be brought forward at this
encampment. Whether a separate and dis
tinct association Of this kind is desirable |
am not prepared to say, but do strenuously
object TO the admission of any but veterans
into our immediate ranks, while they can be
recruited from soldiers and sailors who now
remain outside.
During the prevalence last summer of the
terrible epidemic with which our bretheren
at the South were afflicted, received an ap-
peal for aid from our comrades in Louisiana.
,os';ot oily i---,nd o;-,,,ia- calling urr..
the different Posts for contributions TO meet
the emergency. The response was prompt and
generous. Mower Post, No. department of
Louisiana, acknowledged the receipt of
four thousand, four hundred and twenty
three dollars and eighty-five cents ga
1880. They expended four thousand two
hundred and eighty nine dollars and five cents
"a, $50 05), leaving a balance of one hun
dred and thirty-four dollars and eighty cents
134.S so. The committee state that they did
not confine themselves to relieving members
of the Grand Army and their families, but
regarding the money as soldiers fund con-
tributed by soldiers, they furnished aid to
all ey-soldiers and sailors of the Union whom
they found in need. Their report embraces
eight hundred and seventy eight (s7S) fami-
lies relieved, nineteen 40 ex-soldiers and
two (2) sailors Of the Union army and navy,
together with twenty eight (2S) children
buried. The Post adopted the following
resolution
'Resoired That the members Of this Post desire
TO tender through headquarters Of the q. A. r.
their heart felt thanks and gratitude to the comrades
North East and West, for their noble and generous
response to appeal for assistance and that their
are cherished in the bonds of Fraternity
Charity and Loyalty.
Art XIV chap. v, of our Rules and
Regulations establishes Memorial Day, to
be observed by the members of the Grand |
Army of the Republic, on the thirtieth day of |
May annually, in commemoration of the |
deeds OF our fallen comrades" To this the ]
National Encampment at Providence, r. l., !
added, without a dissenting voice, 1.-The |
Grand Army Of the Republic seeks thus to
preserve the memories of those only who /
fought in defence of the National unity" | |
call attention 10 this article, that there may 1
be no misapprchension AS to our position /
We do not seek 10 commemorate valor, but .
patriotism. When we wreathe garlands for
our heroic dead, we call to remembrance the /
holy cause for which they died. Our country
men North and South are equally brave,
md personally may he equally deserving
but Memorial Day and IFS ceremonies lose
heir significance when we make no dis
inction between those who died to preserve
he Union and those who sought to destroy
I. Among those who died in rebellion were
ZONE of my dearest friends, and
n recognition Of their virtues
md personal worth, | would lay
ny offering of the choicest flowers
IN their graves; but not on account of their
'alor, not ON the day specially set apart to
tine service of those who died
hat their country might live The services
# Memorial Day are attended each returning
cason with increasing interest, and in nearly
III places where our comrades rest its sacred
lutics are observed
While the dead are thus held in grateful
the living are not forgotten.
g f,,,I L.. l.,
sufficient to meet the calls upon them, but
hey are able TO relieve many who would
therwise suffer for want of the common
eccssaries Of life. Returns from only eleven
departments show that they last year ex-
'ended in charity thirty nine thousand one
hundred and four dollars and eighty-two
ents (S39 l04 So. Several Departments,
including one of the largest, have failed 10
make any report Of their relief fund With /
moderate estimate for these, the amount
expended in charity in 1878 must have been |
yer fifty thousand dollars 1850, 900.
Since our last annual meeting, State Sol
iers and Sailors Home has, through the
forts of the Grand Army of the Republic,
cen established in the Department Of New
'ork. Failing after repeated trials, to OBJ {
ain this through legislation, our Comrades I
Dok the matter into their own hands and
ppealed directly To the people for aid. l
Lettings were held, addresses made by work 5
ig members of the order. and sufficient /
Inds secured TO erect the buildings The
tate then, by unanimous vote of the Legis-
lture, assumed the control and the Home is ;,
ow in successful operation. A similar effort .
now being made in the Department of +
Massachusetts,, which we hope will soon be
-owned with success.
| congratulate YOU on our work during 4