The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1884-08-07
The Order of 'sThe Sons
of Veterans.
Whence, and What 1t Is.

Ed. SENTINEL:-In the last issu
of the Sentinel was published
| communication, over the signatur
"a Son of a Veteran" which evi
dently was intended as vital thrus
at the w. e. Webb Camp Sons O
VS.. Tho maliciousness of tn
writer is manifest in every line Q
his communication. and is more ap
parent, knowing that he does not
In sincerity, adopt the role Of mora
rsformer.
| So much for the motive that act
uated the writing and publication
of the article in question.
1t is not our purpose to attemp
any defense of lawlessness or i'm
morality; the person who violate
law sho uld be punished. but frs
prove him guilty; do not disregard
that spirit of fair play, SO charac
teristic of the American people
that does not permit even the viles
criminal to be accused and con-
demned without an opportunity tt
speak in his own behalf and de-
fence.
The article is unfair, unjust ano
in great part untrue. The writer
thereof, not being a member, knows
nothing of the objects or purposes
of the order of Sons of Veterans
He would have it belived that the
membership of the order Is compos'
ed of persons, no better socially OF
morally, than the common prosti
tutes of our town.; he may disclaim
that intention, but the article inev.
etably leads to that belief.
The "order,' he says, is ssuliHs
tfl;us Che Is Latin schoIar) which
literally, is the son of no one, or, in
the plural, sons of no one; thus
branding with the name, BASTARD.
every member of the order and i'm
putting thereby, dishonor to his
mother.
If such virule lence is excusable
upon what grounds is it so?
He further says that the object
of the organization in life, is to pro
mote the facilities for organized
bumming; upon application to the
orderly sergeant of the Camp, this
moral reformer will be furnished a
list of the members, and We dare
him to say there is greater bum
mer in that list of membership than
himself.
The members are all young men;
engaged in the various pursuits of
life, earning an honest living; not
one of them is loafer or bum
mer.
The gentleman seems to be troub-
led with exceeding great trouble,
because he apprehends the order is
without an object.
Not for him (for he is not capa-
bic of appreciatlng the principles
or objects however noble) but for
the information of the public We
will quote from the constitution of
the order, as follows:
"Article II-Principles Sec. l
A firm bel EFF and rust in Almighty
God, and a realization that under
His bcnificent guidance the free
institution OF our law-consecrated
by the service and blood of our
Fathers, have been preserved, and
the integrity and life of the nation
maintained.
Sec. II. True allegiance to the
Government of the United States
of America, based upon a respect
for and devotion and fidelity to its
constitution and laws, manifested
by the discountenancing OF any
thing that may tend to weaken
Loyalty. incite insurrection, Treas-
on or Rebellion, or in any manner
impair the efficiency and perma
nency oil our National Union.
Article III.-Ohjects-Sec. 1.
To keep green the memories of our
Fathers, and their sacrifices for the
maintenance of the Union.
Sec. ii TO aid the members of
the Grand Army of the Republic in
caring for their helpless and dis
abled veterans; to extend aid and
protection to tn, ir widows and or
phans; to perpetuate the memory
and history of their heroic dead,
and proper observance of Memorial
Day.
Sec. III. To aid and assist wor
thy and needy members Of our Or
der.
Sec ". To inculcate patriotism
and love of country. not only
among our membership, but among
all the people of our land, and to
spread and sustain the doctrine Of
eqnal rights, universal liberty, and
justice to ALL"
Can any order boast of more no
bic principles Or objects? We shall
make no further comment upon
them, for we believe they are, in
themselves, sufficient reputation
Of the TRADE against them.
A word as to the conduct of the
Camp for which it has been censir-
cd. Through courtesy, on Sunday
afternoon it visited the Straitsville
Camp (encamping for few days
at Rempel's Grove) in a body;
marching there in the afternoon
and returning IN the evening pre-
ceded by drum corps. For what
ever there is in that action, of i'm
morality or law breaking, the Camp