The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1881-03-26
G.. A. r..
A Circular from the Commander Of
the Department Of California.
HEADQUARrERs DEPARTMENT oP CAL..
GRAND ARMY or THE REPUBLIe,
49, Euazgro%A Ma~nL A 1901

- ami VI n nFfUBLlla
SAN Francisco, March 4, 1881.
To the Veterans of the War for the Union :
The Commander Of the Department of Califor-
MIA feels it his duty. as well as a pleasure, to
endeayor to inform the Veterans of the lat
war of some matters concerning the G. A. r.,
which may stimulate them into taking the
necessary steps toward the formation of a post
in their vicinity. or join those already organ
lied. as folio vs.:
oBJEcqs.
The objects to be accomplished by thi, or
ganikation. are as follows:
l. To preserve and strengthen those kind
and fraternal feelings which bindtogether the
Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who united to
suppress the late rebellion, and to perpetu-
ate the memory and history OF the dead.
2. 10 assist such former comrades in arms as
need help and protection, and to extend need
lull aid to the widows and orphlns Of those
who have fallen.
}. 10 maintain true Allegiance 70 the United
states OF America, ba sed upon a paramount
Respect Tor, and ndelity TO, the National Con-
stltation and Laws; and 10 discoduleuance
whatever tend 10 weaker loyalty. ineites an
Instruction, treason OF rebellion. or Ia any
manner inpairs the enieiohey or permanently
Of our free Institutions; and to encourage the
spread Ct universal liberty, equal rights and
justice to ali men.
ELIGIBILITY TO MEMBERSHIP.
Soldiers and Sailors of the United States
Army, Navy or Marine Corps, who served be-
tween April Il. 1851 and April ., 1873, in the
war Tor the suppression Of the Rebellion, AID
those having been honorably disch irged
thereiroin alter such service, and of such
state tegi nenls as We're call d into active
service and sabjec to the orders OF he L. o.
ueDeIal Oilcers, bstween the dates mentioned
shali be eligible TO membership in tbs Grand
Army of the Republic. No person shall be
eligible to membership who has at any time
borne arms against the United States.
FORMATION or rosrs.
a Post may be formed by the authority of
a Department Commander, or of the Com
mand er-in Iaief, where no ttepartmont or
ganization exisisJ on the application of not
less than ten persons elIgIbls 10 membership
In tho u. a. H. and no rost shall be recog-
nized by tho members Of the Grad Army Of
itepnbiic unless acting under IA legal and un-
POLITICS.
No officer OF comrade OF the q. A. r. shall
in any manner use this ofgaai alion for parti-
san purposes, and no discussion Ut partisan
questions shall be permitted, nor shall any
nominations tor political odice DO made at any
OF It's meetings.
MEMORIAL DAY.
Tho National Encampmbnt establishes a
Memorial Day, to b. observed by the Grand
Army OF tho Republic, on the 10Th day OF
MAJ annually, IN commemoration Of thu deeds
OF our fallen comrades, seeking thus TO pre-
serve the memories Of those only who fought
in The defense of National unity.
| ne above EXTRACTS ironl our kulos and Reg-
%ulatIon. give tbs ess .ntial ideas OF the Order
to which the Depart nrnt Commander would
adj that the Official d3sI sDation OF tn officers
III the rosts assimilatc to those OF Il Regiment,
With the belief that the feelings OF n good SOL
der will be sirengi IA ned b. such illusions to
former associations, through Fraternity, with
out regard to former rank a. the broad fonnd-
aton-stone on which tho order rests. The
ac Iualnlances formed, friendships perfected
aud general goodiello wship engenderod by AS
sociating together In the Grand Army, are pro-
duetise OF great good, and based as they are,
on the common impulse and common dangers
shared in the nations tIiai-whcre ties were
welded in the fire Of b~attie-thsy prove egree-
able and LASTING.
But noblcr duties are possible in our Order.
IL has dIsbarsed to The needy and destitute.
to those sick and in distress, hundreds Of
thousands of dollars already, and we are fully
satisfied that we are better MN and better
citizens by such endeayors in the way of or
gained charity, believing il to be wiser than
discriminate aims.
Above these professions of Fratessiiy and
Charity, we have the principle of Ieysfsy rs
a crowning feature. Into our rankr no man
on whom a STAN of treason rests esn Gene,
and one Country aud one Fling is our motto.
Neither nationality, creed nor political
opinions are a test or a bar In seeking admis-
sion TO our Order. and every Union Soldier,
Sailor and Marine ought TO be a mem Ger of il.
In the Eastern States, as well As on this
Coast, there is a general awakening among
the Veterans. aud we venture to predict that
the time is near at hand when the claim of any
one that be Is an honorably discharged Union
Veteran Of the late war will be met with sus-
picion. unless he can supplement- his assertion
that he belongs TO the Grand Army of the
Republic.
In conclusion the Department Commander
asks every one entitled TO membership to
Join the Order. by making application to the
neaFest Post. II NO Post is organized in your
vicinity, canvass your town and enlist those
you find eligible, in the way of taking imme-
diato steps TO form one.
Enlist the aid of the press in your locally
whenever possible. in the way of giving pub
licity to this circular, and by a vigorous adj
vance all along the line. you will find the re-
suit will be greatly beyond your most san
guine expectations.
g. Mason KNNE. Dept Commander.
W. A. ROBINSON, A. Adt General.