The National tribune., 1883-12-27
LOYALTY.
The Central Idea Of the Grand Army-Its Sig.
nifcauce

The Central Idea OF the Grand Army-Its Sig
nificance.
The central idea of the Grand Army is 10y
atty. 1t was that principle that called it into
being that inspired the kindIing thoughts of
its early builders. A long war had just closed
The scattered fragments of the Union army had
disbanded. They drifted away from the scene
Of final muster-out, and each returned to the
pursuits of life. 1t was Loyalty that led them
to enlist for the war, and they had made
record that had written their fame in the
annals of history. Every man was hero and
every woman a heroine in those days, and the
deeds of the war added new embIazonry to the
word Loyalty. 1t needed Fraternity and
Charity to make the Order useful and strong.
but the glory Of the past was written in such
Respondent letters that Loyalty was admit
ted by all the land without argument or ques-
ton. 1t was thought best to add the term to
distinguish the Grand Army from other organ
izatioIIs which grandly present Fraternity and
Charity. 1t alone of all secret societies dings
ont the banner of Loyalty. 1t was well, for
croakers soon questioned the purpose and
mission Of the Grand Army, and it was 10y
atty that became the guiding star, the pillar of
q
the veteran soldier.
TIE memory Of past dangers, sacrifices and
suffering endured to save the Nation revivify
the pride of the Union soldier, aud no matter
how long they have waited for The Nations
gratitude to shine ont, each is proud that he
wore the blue and can to-day wear the badge
that tells of a record that will grow grander as
years go on.
The burning loyalty that caused the North
land to flock TO arms at Lineoln's call was
worthy of all praise but that which led Union
men in the South to respond to the same call
shines out forever as the very climax OF 10y
atty. Theirs was an illustration of what men
viii dare and suffer for an idea and flag.
" War to the knife" the flaming torch and the
gibbet; living in caves. fed secretly by loved
ones yet these grand old mountain heroes-for
in the South liberty abounded only on the
heights-wayered not in their devotion, but,
driven from home, they enrolled their names
ON the Union army muster-roll, and when they
came back they brought the flag and planted it
in the biackened ruins Of the old homestead
and thanked God that. The day of deliyerance
had come at last
The Grand Army are loyal to the laws They
believe in the governing powers; they respect
authority; they abhor the rule of the mob or
the clutch of monopoly; they believe in the
cause for which they fought, and are to-day the
strong arm of the Nation. If call were made
again the weary heroes would brighten up the
old saber and polish the rusty bayonet The
suffering of the past, the neglect of the present
day, would not be counted If danger assailed
the flag, Loyalty would flame as grandiy as
ever. The belief of the Grand Army in the
reign of law causes them to demand with one
voice the enforcement of statute 1854 They
see it violated, trodden under foot and the old
spirit rises, and the hearts of million surviv-
ing soldiers swell with indignation. The
leaders they trusted are abandoned, party
lines vanish, and theories become mist when
a law which was registered as the grand
expression of Nations love is treated
with contempt. The Grand Army are loyal to
| each other. The true spirit of comradeship
means unwavering trust and faith in the men,
bership of the Order. When the war was go
ing on we knew that the members of the COM
pany or regiment to which we were proud to
belong would be, in the hour of trial and
| danger, not only loyal to the country and flag.
but loyal to each other. SO in these times of
peace, when the old veteran is often suffering
for the necessaries Of life, when sickness comes
on, in the many bitter troubles of life, it is
our duty to be loyal in word, thought or deed
and to rally at a moments call to do our
beunden duty. If we fail to illustrate soundly
principles ofour Order it will tend to weaken
the loyalty of the young, upon whose should
ers must fall the burden when ne are gone
The lessons taught by the Grand Army win.
one day raise up heroes when the Nation calls.
Telling to the young stories Of the days agons,