St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-20
Dining Halls for 5000 at a Sitting, and
Sleeping Accommodation for 10000
Outside Of the Hotels.

| Outside Of the Hotels.
The "Globe, 'as Usual, Presenting the First
Complete Review of What is
and Is to Be.
| 1t was not until the smoke of battle had
! lifted from the land and comparative peace
bad been restored in the United States that
an organization of the Union soldiers of the
late war, for social purposes, was contem-
| plated. After the surrender of johnson, and
the general review at Washington, and the
| mastering out which followed, the soldiers
returned to their former trades and occupa-
tons, or sought new ones in their places.
The friendships which had been formed in
camp and march, and the evident reluctance
OF all parties to break such ties, probably sug-
gested to few the possibility of such an
organization, though it is doubtful if a
national organization was ever dreamed of
until after the posts in certain states had be-
come so numerous. It is far more probable
| that the first organization was merely social
| club of soldiers, who gathered at their meet
| ing to fight over the battles of the war.
THE FIRST POST ORGANIZED.
In the spring of 1866 DR.. B. f Stephen
| son, of Illinois, organized the first Grand
| Army Post in the United States, at Dakota,
ILL.,, with membership of forty three, all
| the Union soldiers in the village. The time
was ripe for his experiment, as there was a
strong feeling in the country, especially
among the soldiers, that something ought
| to be done to encourage the comradeship en-
gendered in camp, on the march, and at the
bayonet's point and the lannon's mouth,
and to perpetuate the memories incident
thereto. There was existing at the time a
| society known as s'The Boys in Blue" which
was formed as political organization, and
| for that reason had not been altogether sue
fcessful. Under these conditions DIR. Stephen
son organized his post, having for its object
| the social intercourse Of all men who had
| fought in the war of the rebellion on the
Union side, no matter what might be their
political principles.
STATE ORGANIZATION.
Illinois sent nearly 300, 900 soldiers to the
war, and in no state, perhaps, could an Or
ganization of this character have been under
taken with better prospects of success. The
success of this post was so great and its
popularity spread so rapidly that before six
months DR.. Stephenson, in response to in
vitatons, organized over forty other posts in
the state, each being distinct organization,
and controlling its body by authority derived
from its own members. The need of GEN.
trail organization and general regulations
was soon felt, and in June, 1866, it was de-
termined to hold convention at Springfield,
the capital of Illinois, of the posts of the
state. The convention met in July of the
same year. Gen. John NJ. Palmer was
elected grand commander, and DR.. Stephen
son was made provisional commander-in-
chief, with Col. j. C. Weber as adjutant
general. The headquarters of the state or.
ganization was established at Springfield.
A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION.
In the meantime the fame and popularity
of the organization had rapidly spread, and
posts were promptly started in several adj
joining states. The growth of these posts
were so rapid, and they became so numerous,
that on Oct 81, 1866, the provisional com
mander in chief issued call for representa-
tives from the several states to form a ma
tional organization. This call was a general
order, and was known as general order No
Is. The convention was called for Nov. 90
1856, to meet at indianapolis, Ind
FIRST NATIONAL ENcAMPMExT.
The meeting was success in every way
aud attracted much attention. Posts from
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Ken
lucky, Missouri, New York, Ohio
Pennsylvania, Visions sin, and the
District of Columbia were present. Gen.
John W. Palmer, of Illinois, presided. and
the encampment adopted plans for the or
a national encampment, substantially as they
are in force to-day. at this meeting Gen
| s. A. Hurlbut was elected grand command
er, and appointed as his adjutant general
| Col. B. T. Stevenson, who had organized the
first post in the country. At this time, some
ten months after the organization Of the tirst
post, the movement was attaching attention
throughout the country. a committee was
appointed to draft bylaws and ritual fol
the proper government Of the association
and when it was done the cabalistic letter.
of F., C. and L. were adopted. and tn,
Grand Army of the Republic as nationa
organization became fixed factor.
PRINCIPLES OF THE ORGANIZATION.
Faith, charity aud Loyalty were It's car
| dinal virtues, and no man who had been
disloyal to his country or flag could enter
Honorably discharged soldiers and sailor.
were the only ones vino could be initiated In.
to the ranks. Among the bylaw.
enacted at the last national encampmen
was one forbidding the use of The organize
ton for any partisan purpose. the discussion
of partisan questions at any of its meetings
and declaring that no nominations for politi
cal Offices should be made.
SECOND NATIONAL EScANPMEST.
The second national encampment met in
council chambers, Philadelphia, January 10
1868. The organization had continued it
phenominal growth, and in addition to III,
states which took part in the first encamp
ment, departments in the states of Maine
New Hampshire, Vermont, yassachus.
etts. Rhode Island, Connecticut, New
Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Mich
igan. Minnesota, Tennessee and Louis
lana were represented At this meeting tn
ritual and regulations of the organization
we're revised, and the order natianaifzed b.
establishing its headquarters at Washington