The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-04-19
Rur-pozing the Grand Army.

Two very singular manifestations of hos
ti1ity towards the Grand Army of the Re
public have lately been brought to our
attention, the first occurring in the State
of Nebraska and the second in the State of
Arkansas.
The circumstances of the first case are as
follows: Itappears that among the members
of Kenesaw Post, No 123, of Elmwood,
Neb., is DIR. J. A. Kenaston, who is also an
elder in the United Brethren Church. The
laws of that denomination prohibit its mem
bers from uniting with any secret society,
and impose, as penalty for their violation,
expulsion from its communion; and at the
annual conference. of the church, held at
Unadilla, Elder Kenaston was accused of
having committed such breach of faith.
No official notice was sent him of the pro-
posed action, but, in anticipation of some
such procedure, he had taken the precaution
to provide himself with documents showing
that the Grand Army was not secret or
ganization in the sense that the term was
employed in the canons of the church.
and attended the conference prepared to
demonstrate his innocence. When he ar
rived, however, he found that the charge
had already been passed upon, and that his
expulsion had been voted without any OPP
portunity having been afforded him to pre-
sent his defense. Indignant at having been
subjected to such shameful treatment, he
demanded fair trial at the hands of the
conference, and with the aid of several
brother elders, who made themselves known
to him as being also members Of the Grand
Army, succeeded in obtaining reconsidera-
ton of the vote by which his expulsion had
been ordered. The bishop was then empow-
cred by the conference to appoint commit
tee to hear the case, and did so, selecting,
however, for its members those who were
openly hostile to the accused. TWAS agreed
between the latter and the chairman of the
committee that the hearing should take
place at a certain hour the next day, and, at
the time fixed, Dr.. Kenaston presented him.
self, when, to his amazement, he found that
the committee had met in his absence and
| adjudged him guilty, sentencing him to be
expelled from the church unless he resigned
from the Grand Army within six months, or
prior to the next meeting of the bishops. The
injustice of such proceeding, of course, de-
| defended on either religious or legal grounds,
and the body which is responsible for it
must sooner or later reverse its action or
forfeit the respect of all fair-minded men.
| The thing which concerns THE TRIBUNE is
| that the objects of the Grand Army should be
thus grossly misinterpreted, and its char
acter as an Order COMPOUNDED with that of
should suppose there is aught in its prinei-
| pies and practices that conflicts with any
and steps should be taken at once by the
proper authorities to remove that impress
sion. Elder Kenaston has announced his pur-
pose to retain his membership in the Grand
Army under any circumstances, and it is
not he, but the church, that viii be disgraeed
by his expulsion; but the issue is one that
concerns the honor and reputation of the
Order itself, and it should be made an oc-
casion for official action.
| The other case to which we refer is that oil
Lyon Post, No. 1877, of Eureka Springs, Ark
| 1t appears that the Pest has received letter
/ from some person or persons unknown per
emptorily ordering it to disband, and threat
ening all sorts of dreadful things unless ii
complies with the demand. By vote Of
the Post the letter was forwarded to The