The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-06-28
Their GOODNESS in combination and rapidity
in execution turned defeat into victory.


correspondence in the department Of Loyal
Woman's Work. comes from lady resid-
ing In Kansas town, and the second from
a well-known Michigan comrade, Uia the
| Office of Commander-in-C Chief Van Dervoort,
who forwards it to us with his indorse-
ment for publication. The theme of these
letters is the danger that threatens the
Grand Army through the unrestricted use
of intoxicating liquors at the social and
business meetings of some of the Posts,
and the facts which they recite are
so conclusive as to the necessity of
prompt action being taken, that no
apology is needed for their presentation.
1t is far from the purpose of THE TRIBUNE
TO make political issue of the temperance
question, but the control or regulation of the
use of intoxicating drinks at Grand Army
gatherings is a matter that so closely con-
Germs the welfare of the Order, that we
should be faithless did we not speak ont
boldly and plainly in regard to it. We do
not believe that intemperance is any more
prevalent in the Grand Army than in any
other secret organization. On the contrary,
we feel sure that it is the exception TO the
rule when Post hospitality is thus abused.
But it should be remembered that every
such breach of good conduct tends to make
the Order as a whole the object of suspicion,
and to prejudice public sentiment against it.
1t is by just these lapses from deeorum,
rather than by the general propriety and
dignity of action, that it is apt to be judged.
Nor do we imagine that under ordinary
circumstances any special harm could result
from adding beer TO the baked beans, hard
tack and coffee, which are usually served at
Post Campfire, but there must always be
danger that some comrade of naturally
convivial turn viii drink TO excess, and thus
bring shame upon the Order as well as grief
and distress upon his family.
The fact is that the Grand Army was
never intended to be convivial society, and
while the rules and regulations contain no
prohibitiye clause, they do not, in our judg-
ment, warrant any such diversion of its
purposes. Fraternity is a very different
thing from mere conviviality, and certainly
it cannot be claimed that it is only to be
found at the bottom OF beer keg. Indeed,
the weight of all experience is quite on the
other side-the more beer, the less Fraternity
But it may be said, perhaps, that among
the members of the Grand Army are many
soldiers of German extraction, who, without
any departure from sohriety, are habitual
beer-drinkers, and that it would be unjust,
simply because some of their comrades are
incorporate, to deprive them of their usual
ration. It is sufficient answer to this OBJ
lection to say that there IS plenty Of other
places beside Post-room in which they can
quench their thirst, and that the exclusion of
liquor from Camp-fires and similar gather
ings, no more than from churches, theaters,
or lecture halls, would be personal hardship.
The truth is that the Post-room is not a fit
place for 3. bar or anything approaching it.
Considering how many soldiers home has
been ruined by drink. how many soldiers
family has been impoverished by it, and
how many a soldier has himself become a
charge upon his comrades by reason of his
enslayement by it, it is really direct per-
version of the objects of the Grand Army to
countenance it in any form. We should be
the last to approve any attempt to fetter the
liberty of the individual, but this is ques-
ton which concerns the welfare of the entire
Order-nay, more, its ability to accomplish
the objects for which it was established
and it should be decided with regard to
what the interests of the organization itself
demand, rather than what personal wishes
may dictate. We hope this issue viii be
brought up at the coming National En-
canpment, and that steps win be taken tc
exclude spirituous liquors forever from the
Post-room. 1t should be the aim of the
Grand Army to hold up ana strengthen the
weak and tempted and set such an example
of temperate living as viii inspire respect
and confidence. That is trne fraternity
that is the very essence of comradeship.