The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-24
GRAND ARMY ROYs.

GRAND ARMY BUYS
The Grand Army of the Republic is COM
ing to the front as one of the leading social
and benevolent institutions of the country.
Its annual encampmeut, now in progress at
Denver, is already assured of the most graft
flying success. The order is upon solid foot
ing and gives every promise of remaining so
until the veterans who compose it have fallen
by the wayside.
When 'taps" have thus been sounded and
the lights are all out, would it not be emil
nently fitting for the younger race who are
order? True, this would have to be done in
some modified form, but the chief feature of
the order could be preserved; that is the
inculcation and dissemination of patriotic
sentiment entirely free and apart from
party politics. No American boy ought to
want better cause for pride in the memory
of his father than that he was faithful SOL
der in the war for the defense of the gov
eminent in the cause of civil liberty. If
steps have not been already taken, it might
be we'll for the veterans to set this move
ment on foot and give "the boys" start be-
fore the former are called away. Large num-
bers of these sons of veterans in every locali-
ty, throughout the North at least are now
old enough to conduct the affairs of such an
order as here contemplated. and it is safe to
to say in advance they would
take a lively interest in the matter,
and carry it on successfully. The imputa-
tons against the order as a political ma
chine have about ceased That cry is dead,
and those who engaged in it have retired in
dropping feather. This obstacle, that has so
unjustly confronted the old soldiers, would
be out of the way of the boys, and render
the workings of their organization smooth
and easy-merely delightful duty.
In the South, with the native Union SOL
doubt sufficient material can be found there,
also, for the purposes of this association of
the sons of veterans and thus the order
would be national both locally and
in character. If rightly managed, the
results would be not only beneficial to those
Immediately concerned, but the good effects
rebound to the honor and benefit of the coun-
try at large. The objection is sometimes urged
that such a movement would perpetuate Bit
terness between the ex-rebel and ex-federal
soldiers. The answer to this charge is that
. ybo oh do Eno
what they are talking about. The rebel sol
der who shouldered his musket and went to
the front and made a gallant fight from
Sumter to Appomattox, but since that time
has been faithful and loyal citizen of the
country, has no better friend than the vete-
ran soldier of the Union army, and there are
many cases where the latter, by contribution
and otherwise, have given material aid to the
needy on the other side. About the only
bitterness remaining that grew out of the
war times, is that just indignation
Northern copperhead and sneak, who,
in the darkest hour Of the rebellion, stabbed
the nation in the back, being too cowardly to
go to the front. This feeling must not and
cannot be construed to apply to the fair
minded rebel soldier 1t is the need alone
of the meters of draft riots and runners to
Canada. 1t is leveled at the Knights of the
Golden Circle, who would inaugurate rapine
and murder among the defenseess families
of Union soldiers at the front, fighting for
what these miscreants were attempting to be-
tray and destroy. No; this organization on
the part of the boys means nothing but what
should have the hearty Endorsement of all
patriotic people. The boys will organize