The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-12-06
FRATERNTTY
The First Of the Three Vital Principles Of Ia,
Grand Army Of the Republic.

The First Of the Three vital Principles Of the
Grand Army Of the Rspablie.
Fraternity Is a bond Of union, that. in the
different organizations holding it as q cardinal
principle, binds together the members in
friendship terminable only with Life itself
The word has bsen used in al ages to indicate
relationship often as strong as the ties Of
kindred. There is none IN the language thas
is more pressive save Love, and even that bond
Is often lightly cast Of, while the sentiment Of
Fraternity, based on common interests and
true appreciation Of each others worth, Onslasts
the passion of the other. Is IS needless for IA
to go into the derivation Of the word for living.
breathing illustrations Of It's meaning are daily
Afforded. There Is a wide difference between
Fraternity based upon social relations only aud
that which took form in times Of matuaI dan
ger, hardship and suffering. In the mGltisaas
of secret societies Of the day the word Frater-
nifty is freely used end possesses greater or less
significance for its members. In snch as crap
pie with the weighty problems Of society ia
character is most sharply and strongly defined.
so that its influence reaches beyond the lodge
rooms and the set meetings Of local organiza-
ton. and its force is even felt when the tide Of
life drifts members together IN far-off lands.
In some orders It partakes Of the boon COM
panion degree. and is suggestive Of the banqust
and the ballroom II others It means mutual
help and assistance, and sometimes social rs-
cognition or aid n matters Of business. In the
societies Of the day, organized to remedy pO-
IftcaI or social abuses, maintain law and order,
and even in those whose obiecs is To level and
break down law and order, it means mutual
protection from danger and mutual help in ths
execution of its plans.
Tt is in some eases abused and perverted; IN
Others its true import IS grandly and molly sx-
enpliGed Made the bond Of union between
men aetuated By high and noble purposes, the
word shines with the spIendor Of an electric
light or fadeless star, and means more than
language can express
We have shown that it is praetised in othsz
societies for merely social ends butis WAS in tho
Grand Army Of the Republic that Fraternity
was boTn-before the Order existed Itbudded,
In the hour when the call to arms was first heard,
when the name was written on the muster
roll, when the good-byes were said. when ths
first regiments marched toward the sunny
Southland and touched elbow as the ranks
surged to and fro. and it bound together CON-
1ades IN a just cause with chains Of enduring
hope and trust.
Fraternity grew apace IS the days went By.
In the camp of instruction the march 10 the
field; the long days of waiting for the swift ad-
vance; the first skirmish the forsging sxps-
dition; the preparation TO meet the sudden
march of the enemy; the waiting for the on
slaught; the dropping FIRE of the skifnish IinsJ
the rebel yell; the surgins. rapid advance; tina
shock Of the clashing eharge-anid al these
changing scenes Fraternity grew until it be-
came the fsirest flower in the chaples Of tia
/ Union soldier. t was nurtursd in danger,
when the soldiers frame was zacked By disease
| or torn By wounds In prison, when hope waz
| dead and reason wsvering, the warm, glowing.
| fraternal hand-clasp Of loved comrade and his
| cheering voice inspired fresh courage and de-
! termination Andsrsonville would have bean
| siraply tradition to-day, with none left 10
| tell the ghastly story, had il not bsen for
I grand AID beautiful acts Of Fraternity In
the dark hours which our comrades passed
Tiers. 1t lighted up the darkness Of that dun
geon: it Hluuined ths windows OK the soul,
and broag ht color back to the psts cheek Hops
to the iustTeless eye. and Courage 70 ths saintly
beating heart. All along the pathway Of tbs
Iegicns who wore the bus it made rs uSy, xnd
under in influence comrades became as dean
| 10 caah other IS brothers The iapss Of
| twenty years hsa failed 70 diminish is warmth,
and 30 the fraternity Of tbs Grand Army shinss
above and bsysnd that Of 81 the societies VIA
claim it IS foundation. Is means mors. aud
| it inspires uobler thoughts than any other u
Gala up recollscsi0ns that strengthen and IN
| spirs tia soul. and makes all who wore the ksus
brothers and comrades forever Tire history of
| the fraternity Of the Grand ARMY VIII be shs
/ romance Of the century.