The National tribune., 1883-05-24
600 Posts, and membership of over 10000

1900 Posts, and membership of over 10000
veterans.
There must be now surviving and remaining
TO be recruited and enrolled in the Grand Army of
the Republic about 10000 citizen soldiers, who
rendered honorable service to their country and
received the Nations plaudit.
In every hamlet, village and township in the
north scattered the heroes of the who either
have not had brought home to them the fact that
there IS such an institution as the Grand Army of
the Republic or, for one reason another though
entitled 10 membership, are not affiliated.
The average age of the Union soldier at the
age date of enlistment was 20 years add to this the
20 years which have elapsed, and the average age
of the survivors of to-day is 46 years.
Applying to the $50 600 eligible survivors the
ordinary mortality rates for that average it will be
found that in 1890 there will remain of the old
guard in round numbers but 300 600 in 1895 but
600 in 1900 but 9i5 COO in 1905 but 75s 500 and
this is only looking forward many years
must now look back for the events which called us
| to arms.
A STARTLING PARADOX.
These figures indicated startling paradox; for
when the Grand Army of the Republic shall have
reached its highest point of numerical strength,
prosperity, and usefulness, it viii have reached its
surest point of decadence-a grand crescendo, TO
be followed by, alas too rapid dimnuendo to
ishing point-thereafter but "reminiscences Within
short space OF forty years from this time of those
| who remain, the youngest wearer of a Grand Army
of the Republic badge will be eighty old. In
stead of being now to 6, he will then be but
to 600 of the adult male population of that time in
| the States above referred to.
The Grand Army of the Republic. for all the ben
Ship for purposes of fraternity and charity in its
truest and broadest sense for cherishing and en-
shTinlng the memories OF departed comrades, and
holding up to posterity the example which shall
! inspire our children and children's children to
loyalty and devotion to institutions Is practi
caliy the only soldier organization broad enough
encircle all who survived the harships of war and
| bear the honorable mark of distinction given by
| the Nation to it's defenders-an honorable dis
| charge; accessible to ALL and yet general through
/ its departmental and national organization; and
being patterned after the great Republic it saved
| Is representative of all.
The eornrade to whom fortune has been so un-
| kind as to leave him but shelter seant food, and
| clothes, and many mouths to feed, may yet meet
his fellows around the campfire OF his Post and
live over again his army days, enjoying the com
panionship of loved and respected comrades. loved
and respected by them, and proudly carry that
! emblem of victory. the G A. r. star and ribbon.
The Grand Army of the Republic my comrades,
Is institution in this country. Those who carped
at and criticised it, like those who have vainly
deevored to warp and twist 1t 10 personal and
political ends, have ceased to cavil. 1t is known
as the one organization which cannot be used,
Tor the great purposes that called 1T into existence
chief among which rising generations will note
the inculcaon and dissemination of that spirit of
/ loyalty that mpelled the great uprising of the
| North, the endurance of suffering, hardShipS,
! wounds, disease, and death that the Nation might
| live, and the subsistence OF that great army into
| civil life when that object was accomplished.
Nay tins grand society continue to prosper, and
bring within its fold all the survivors of the Poso-
mae who can look each other in the face and say L
was honoraby discharged, so that, with equal full
of membership for all the other grand depart
| ments and divisions of It's great original, it may
prove indeed what it should be a complete photo
| graph and copy of the army of the Union.
May it wax rapidly and wane slowly, and may
we ell meet at our final muster with the proud
record, " He patriotic citizen, and in q
! faithful soldier of the Union"
THE CITY OF WASHINGTON.
At the conclusion of Gen. Dudley's speech,
which aroused great enthusiasm, Tramp,
| tramp, tramp" was sung, and Mr.. Charles
| mu lpv res da1 In he f0aS Stvna
hearts and Wives" General Francis A. Walker
spoke to the toast =" The Volunteers" and Capt.
Isaac II. Bromley replied to the toast The
| Press" The last toast of the evening was
THE City of Washington" Commissioner
Edmonds in the course of his response, said:
Surely it is not expected that will introduce
this city to the Army of the Potomaci | under
stand they old friends, and, if little domestic
gossip be not too undignitied for this occasion,
may add that for years they have been re-
| gartlec in the light of accented lovers Certainly
| this fair city has received from that army many
gallant attentions. You all remember some years
ago when the States were rashly arning for a
deadly strife, this border city just out of her
ncipal teens seemed with her dowry tempting
prize for the strongest suitor. Then the Army OF
the Potomac more fleet than any suitor of Atlanta,
with dashing courage like that Of the lover OF
Proserpine, came 10 the 'front.' and placing his
standards upon the neighboring heights, sounded
the bugle blast of defiance to every foe and espec-
aliy to his rival of the James. And never was
more earnest battle; not from the walls Of Troy
ulu flSien WttneSS Sucl Hefce war dS was WaScu
before this city. Finally, when this knight of the
| Potomac unhorsed his adversary at Appomattox,
and proudly returned to this city for his well de-
served honors, she placed the laurels upon his
brow with such bushes and sweet smiles it was
evident her admiration Won And worthy in
deed of all attention that ehivalry can bestow is
this fair daughter of Washington, for Virginia is
his mother, is this city his daughter and right
fully bears his great name. l may, with her full
appreciation, say to you, veterans of the Potomac
that proud she is of your yalOr in she bushes
with still deeper pride to behold your greater
magnanimity IN peace, to when the is
ended that you able to take the hand of your
fallen but gallant adversary, and in friendly
spirit welcome him an honored guest to youI
feasts. This is the very crown of chivary, the
highest triumph of Christian civilization.