The National tribune., 1883-05-03
HEADQUARTERS


GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC,
Union Block, corner Fifteenth and Farnan streets,
OMAHA, NEB, April Is 1883.
earnestly desire each Department Commander
and all officers and members of the Grand Army of
the Republic to use the most extraordinary efforts
70 recruit ranks before Memorial Day. Com
rades give one day. each of you, TO this work;
map out the work, take applications, and secure
the recruits. We have seven hundred thousand
old comrades to recruit from. They must be en-
listed, and now is the time. Comrades the staff
OF Conmander-in-Chiefm must lead IN this work. We
have gained up to December Slst O50 Posts-5OOOo
members. Since February LIST have. gained 202
Posts in Kansas. Nebraska, Michigan, Illinois, New
York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. This administration
must only gain L. 6j6 in quarter ending March 31st
IN order TO surpass the entire gains during Robin
sons, Earnshaw's. Wagner's, and Merrills admin
isirations. Comrades ] call upon you to go to
work; the harvest is ready Recruit all along the
line. BY command of
PAU. VAN DERvooRT,
T. z. BRowx. Com1nander-in-Chief.
Adjutant- General.
There is no mistaking the spirit of this
appeal, and we trust it viii meet with a
hearty and general response. Great as has
been the growth of the Grand Army since
the last National Encampment, and remark
able as has been the enthusiasm peryading
the Order the increase which has taken
place in It's membership has been due chiefly
to the personal exertions of individuals-as
shown, for instance, in the case of Comrade
Bealls, of Auburn, Maine, who recruited
240 out Of the 32I members mustered by
Burnside Post, of that place, during the last
sixteen months,-and il is time that every
comrade put his shoulder to the wheel.
Chief Van Dervoort's sug-
gestion that our comrades should, each and
every one, give one day to the work of re-
eruiting, is, therefore, much to the purpose,
and if they VIII but act upon it at once the
last quarter of the present administration
year viii undoubtedly witness still larger
increase in the membership of the Grand
Army than has characterized any previous
quarter. The success which rewarded the
labors Of those, who, in accordance with
The TRIBuNE's recent appeal, devoted the
anniversary of Lees surrender to skirmish-
ing for recruits is, in itself, sufficient proof
of what can be accomplished in this direc-
lion by persistent individual effort, and the
object TO be achieved thereby, it seems to us,
is one that should stir the ambition and fire
the enthusiasm of every veteran. 1t cannot
be said that there is anywhere wanting an
inviting field for effort. THE TRIBUNE is
daily in receipt Of letters from ex-soldiers
in every part of the country asking for In
structions as to how they shall proceed to
organize Posts of the Grand Army, and
equally conclusive evidence is at hand to
prove that even where Posts already exist
there are many worthy veterans who might
be mustered into the Order were the neces-
sary steps taken to acquaint them with its
character and objects.
AS Comrade Van Deryoort says, " the har-
vest is ready" and the only obstacle in the
way of gathering it is the lack of lahorers.
May We not nope that his earnest appeal,
prompted as it is by such an unseliish devo-
ton to the welfare of the Order will have
the effect Of summoning to the work host
Of eager and willing volunteers?