The National tribune., 1883-08-16
How To Do 1T.

According to the returns of the Adjutant-
Generals Office for the quarter ending March
31st last, the total number of Posts in the Or
der of the Grand Army was 2574, and the
total membership 1882, and it is believed
that the returns for the June quarter, when
tabulated, viii show a total strength of
fully 5000 Posts, and between 10000 and
10000 comrades. The gain during the
past year may, therefore, be safely put at
1,400 Posts and $4,000 comrades OF these
1,400 new Posts, THE TRIBUNE, with the
aid of its readers, was instrumental in
establishing 10, or nearly one-eighth of all
organized. Precisely how many comrades it
was instrumental in mastering into the
Order it is impossible to determine, since
to the number recruited through the muster
of new Posts must be added the number
induced TO join the Posts of the Order pre-
viously established, but whatever the
actual results of the work accomplished by
THE TRIBUNE in behalf of the Grand Army
may have been, it is evident that they
form very considerable part of the total
achievement, and there is, therefore, every
reason why its readers should enter upon
the work of the new year with the most
sanguine expectations.
As to the vastness of the field before them,
so far as the number of surviving ex-sol-
diers who are still outside of the Order is
concerned, we have in previous issues spoken
at length. But there now remains to be
considered the extent of the field geograph-
ically. THE TRIBUNE, at the present time,
has subscribers at more than $4,000 post
Offices The number of subscribers at each
place VARIES of course, greatly. In some
towns nearly every ex-soldier residing there
is reader of THE TRIBUNE. In others
only minority are subscribers. There are
on our lists considerable number of post
Offices where only one or two copies OF. The
TRIBUNE are taken, but, on the other hand,
at post-ofices where one year ago only one or
two copies were taken, we now have clubs
of fifty and upwards. Indeed, careful ex-
animation Of our list reveals the fact that in
a great majority of the towns in which THE
TRIBUNE circulates there is sufficient ma
terial for the establishment of strong live
and permanent Grand Army Posts, and ii
may be reasonably asserted that if our
readers would properly cooperate in the
work, the 5000 Posts which now constitute
the total strength OF the Grand Army might
easily be doubled during the next year
through our mutual exertions.
The chief obstacle in the way is the lack
of leadership in this unoccupied territory
Even where our ex-soldiers constitute a
numerous element in the community. and
are really anxious TO come together End
institute Posts, it very frequently happens
that no one is disposed to come forward and
take charge of the work of organization
Gases have come TO our knowledge where the
organization Of Posts has been delayed fol
months simply for that reason, and in not &
few instances it has needed but kindly
letter Of instructions from THE TRIBUNE
to some one of lis subscribers TO accom-
plish what unaided, our ex-soldiers hai
been gainly trying to bring about for a Ions
time previous
Now, there is very simple and ef1icien
way of getting at the exact extent of the fielt
if the readers Of THE TRIBUNE will onll
adopt it. If each of them who resides at
place where the soldier population is numer
Gus enough to sustain Post, but where, a
yet, none has been established, viii notify u
of the fact and furnish as complete list as h
can of the veterans living in his vicinity, w
viii Immediately forward all the instTuc
tons that may be necessary to effect a pre-
limary organization and put the applicant
IN direct communication with the prope
authorities, 50 that there may be the leas
possible delay and trouble in connection
with the muster Of the Post. Our reader
viii understand, Of course, that it is not on
purpose OF desire to take upon ourseIve
this work except in cases where no attemp
has been made by the regular Grand Arm
officers TO establish new Posts Our objec
is simply to supplement the efforts of thos
officers in every way possible, since bot
they and ourselves have one common en-
in view-namely, the building up Of th
: Grand Army.
. So far, the outlook is very encouraging
: We are receiving large number of request
FOR assistance in the organization of ne,
: Posts, and we trust that as autumn az
proaches and the crops have been gathere
: and our readers have more leisure to engag