The National tribune., 1883-04-05
SONS OF VETERANS.
An Interesting Sketch of the Origin
of the Order.
[From The Grand Army Magasine.J

'coIiS OF veterans originated III the MIND OF 4.
P. Davis, who now resides at Pittsburg, Penn
! sylvania, and is engaged prominently in the
insurance business Major Davis was born in
| New England, being a lineal descendant of a
| family who rendered our country meritorious
services in the revolutionary war, as also in the
conflict with Great Britain in 1912. At the
commencement of our late civil war he enlisted
as private in one of the Maine regiments that
went to the front. Heserved through the war,
| receiving successive promotions by reason of
| his faithful services and personal bravery. He
! was honorably mustered out as major in 1865.
The Order was founded in Pennsylvania, and
was first known as the Sons of Veterans of WestI
ern Pennsylvania After this beginning its
principles took root elsewhere and soon grew
out of these marrow limits, and at this date has
assumed national proportions as the Sons of
/ Veterans of the United States
The reflections of Major Davis which
| finally shaped themselves into the conception
of this Order are described in his own language,
| which we quote as follows:
The term veteran indicates one who has
/ been experienced in any art or calling, but most
particularly that of war. Therefore, before
our late civil struggle of 1876 had closed,
we had our veteran soldiers and regiments, and
| when the end had come and our duties were
| over, those of us who had passed through the or
| deal and were still alive returned to our several
| homes and vocations as citizens with feelings
CdC0 anu all OOIiS anu
| perpetuate a great and good Nation; therefore
| IN due time and, as it were, by common con-
! sent, the mantle and title of veteran slowly
and surely fell upon all who had drawn a sword
! or shouldered q musket for our national ex-
! istence.
| The Grand Army Of the Republic had its con-
ception in that feeling of fraternity which ever
| takes root and springs up among large bodies of
men who are from circumstances, one in voca-
ton, especially if the same be hazardous in its
| nature, and to-day, as comrades, we look upon
our Order with pardonable pride, feeling that
| it is in the nooptide of its power and glory. AS
| time has passed, and as from North to South
and from ocean to ocean we have yearly
| wended our way to the several places where
our dead comrades are laid at rest, and have
bedecked their graves with the brightest and
| sweetest flowers of spring, we have often
thought, who will observe these beautiful cere-
monies when we have passed beyond? In this
| feeling the Order of Sons of Veterans had its
conception and from this sentiment came its
birth Again, many q comrade has studied
long and deeply as to how his children and de-
seendants could be best and permanently made
to fully understand and to properly sustain the
principles he fought for and sacrificed so much
to maintain. The desire to so instruct the
coming generations that they may as citizens
act considerably and WELL and at all times
consult the common good and welfare of all,
:,
advent of the Sons of Veterans has been par
ticularly grateful, for it has supplied vacancy
that had long existed in his mind. 1t was feel
ings like the foregoing that prompted me to
make the venture for years, and at least IS far
back as 1875 have been thinking over and
agitating the matter, and it seems to me when
it has been brought UP in an official way the
movement fell through and disappointment
followed. AT last l thought / saw the right
course clearly, and that to succeed the Sons of
Veterans must first start as a separate and
wholly distinct Order, and by their merits win
their way to popular favor. To this end pre-
pared from time te time the outline of the or
ganization, but it was not until during the
year 1881 that the movement was crystalized
and assumed its present shape on an original
foundation, and containing its own especial
features and details. When once launched, the
Order rapidly spread and took root in the ad-
joining States, and as this was done under
charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylva-
MIA, good for any and all States of the Union,
the organization was soon established on firm
and durable basis. AT the present date it is
duly established in over twenty States and
Territories and is, in short so firmly welded
to the interests of the old soldier element that
under its carefully arranged, full and complete
system, cannot see how it can weaken or fail.
feel fully satisfied that it will steadily pros
per, and live long after the Grand Army has
yidual services i'll the cause of the Nation are
remembered
This organization has been officially indorsed
by the National Encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic. Its principles and
objects are as follows:
PRINCIPLES
firm belief and trust i'll Almighty God. and
realization that under His beneticent provi
dence the free institutions of our land, conse-
Grated by the services and blood of our fathers.
have been preserved, aud the integrity and Life
of the Nation maintained. True allegiance to
the Government of the United States of America,
based upon a respect for and devotion and
fdellty to its Constitution and laws mani
tested by the diScountenanciug OF ANYTHING
that may tend to weaken loyalty, mcite to in
surrection, treason or rebellion, or in any man.
ner impair the efficiency and permanency of
our National Union
OBJECTS.
To keep green the memories of our fathers
and their sacrifices for the maintenance of the /
Union; to aid the members of the Grand Army
of the Republic in caring for the helpless and
disabled veterans; to extend aid and protection /
to their widows and orphans to perpetuate the /
memory and history of their heroic dead and
the proper observance of Memorial Day: to I
aid and assist worthy and needy members to
lncuicate patriotism and love of country not I
ohly among our membership Dub among ali the (
people of cur land, and to spread and sustain /
the doctrines Of equal rights, universal liberty, /
and justice TO all.
The Order is grouped in five grand divisions. /
The first grand division is made up of nj the 1
New England States, General Isaac S. Bangs, of +
Maine, Junior Vice Commander-in-C Chief of the +
G.. A. r., being its Commander The second I
grand division covers New York New jersey.
Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia. MARYLAND,
District of Columbia, and Virginia: General /
w, q. W. Ross, of Maryland. Commander The
third grand division comprises Illinois, In
diana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, iowa
Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas. Nebraska. aud
Dakota General W. J. Maskell, OF Chicago,
Commander The fourth grand division takes
in the Pacific Slope States and Territories and
Colorado. General A.N. BolIn, OF Leadville being
Commander. The fifth grand division COM
prises the Southern States Each State is a al
vision and is compounded by a colonel and rcgi- /
mental line and staff officers. The organization
is uniformed i'll blue.
The membership badge is constructed of
bronze metal, and pendant from the bronze bar
by tri-coi0r ribbon-red white and blHe
The Sons of Veterans have aisoa coat-of-arns
The Latin motto firyttia Del Seruatas translated
. Preserved by the special favor of God was
by Major \. 2. Davis and was adoDted
by the Order. They have aso an iron cross. y
gold cross, gold star aud buttoMhole deeorat on
all of which designs were prepared by Major
Davis, and elaborated by Messrs Bailey, Banks
and Biddie, of Philadelphia. The National
OF the Order are at present in