The National tribune., 1885-06-25
G. A. .R. LAW.
Decisions, Rulings and Discussions ContrOyerted
Peinfs.

G.A.R. LAW.
Decisions, Rulings and Discussions on C0atrOyerted
Points.
Whilst we will eheerfully answer questions un-
der this head that proper for public discussion
il should be clearly understood that such replies
unofficial, and simply express the views of in
dividua member. Differences of construction are
continually arising and many of the questions in
terest a large number OF readers OF THE NATIONAL.
TRIBUNE.
Will you please inform me IL the G. A. r. Posts
throughout the country generally the old U. s.
tactics in marching, etc, the same drill We used
when In the army?-P. Winsor.
There is general rule as TO which tactics shall
be used by Posts, and it is therefore very much q
matter of taste the part of the Post Commander.
Some comrades insist, a matter of sentiment,
that the Grand Army should stick to Casey
which might be well enough if Casey" had ap-
piled alike to all branches OF the army and naval
service; but when the files are composed of men
differently trained. it requires more drilling to now
bring them up than to adopt the present U. s. tao
tics. Many thousands of members have trained
with the National Guard since the war. and other
thousands have forgotten ali they once knew about
the old drill, and it seems to US that uniformity
could be secured with greater effect and lesstr
by formally adopting the system now in in all
the States and by the General Government. Hills
Grand Army Tactics cover the whole ground.
Comrade Fits of Lockport, NJ Y, asks if bal
lot upon application is obligatory in all cases
Immediately after the reading of the report from
the Committee of Investigation. Can a Post post
pone the election until some subsequent meeting :?
somewhat similar was decided by the
Judge Acknowledgement. Opinion 13S. September,
1882, follows Must the ballot be taken after the
report of the Investigating Committee has been
made to the Post?
"Yes. The language is mandatory emphatic,
plain. and the action of the Commander violated
this law, and the Post could not the violation
by sustaining his decision
Whilst thus quoting the language of the ]. A.-G..
there may be eases where postponement of the
ballot might be absolute necessity for protecting
the rights of the Post and the Applicant such a
statement rejecting upon the applicant, and that he
ought to have an opportunity of meeting or ex-
planning. To press ballot, when there is any un-
certainty sbout the matter might be a gross inus-
tee not easily cured The J. A.-G. ruled in this
case that no application could be bescthdrawn,-av vote
must he taken but reeommitta for further inves-
tgation in such contingency as the above would
not, it appears to me, be violation of the law.
This, however does not apply evidently to the case
| stated by Comrade Fits.
Can l get book containing the work of the G.
AR with all the ceremonies of installation inspec-
tion burial service, Memorial Day service etc. II
| so, where, and at what price ?-B. b. Campbell 5.
v. u, MAJ. May PoSt, Zi4, AndersoH, Ind
The Service Book" of the Grand Army nclud-
iEg the services named above, can be obtained from
Department Headquarters. Each Post Commander
should have a copy always at hand for reference.
| From several sources we have received inquiries
as to the right of Posts to decorate, on Memorial
| Day. the graves of rebel soldiers. This question
| has been several times before the National En-
campment, and in order that the comrades may
have before them the declaration of the National
| Encampment on this subject, quote the resolu-
tion adopted at Providence in May. 1877.
| "Inasmuch as there have been some differences
OF opinion as to the intent and meaning OF Memo
rial Day, this Encampment hereby calls attention
to the language of Chapter v, Article xiv, of the
Rules and Regulations and. therefore:
! "Resotred, That the Grand Army of the Republic
seeks thus to preserve the memory of those only
| who fought in defense of the National unity
Whilst not in terms, forbidding the decoration
| of the graves of those who fought on the other
side. the force Of the lessons of Memorial Day is
weakened by any departure from the declared OBJ
| jcct of its institution-'in commemoration of the
deeds of fallen comrades" 1t is designed as ex-
| pressed in the General Order of May 5, 1865 "fol
| the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise
decorating the graves of comrades who died in de-
fense of their country during the late rebellion.
Let us then, at the time appointed, gather around
| their sacred remains and garland the passionless
| mounds above them with the choicest flowers o
Spring time let raise above them the dear old
| flag they saved from dishoncr; let in this sol
| emn presence renew our pledges to aid and assis,
those whom they have left among n sacred
charge upon a Nations gratitude-the soldiers
| and sailors widow and orphan" Any departure
| from the plain duty of the Grand Army gives rise
only to dissensons and disputes, and accoinplishes
| no perceptible good. Those who desire to step
aside and spread flowers on the graves of others
from whose lives or deaths no such lessons of loyal
| devotion can be learned, have 364 days in each
! year to carry out such purposes, without in any
| way interfering with the work of the survivors OF
| the Grand Army. There is question of a. bury
ing anmosiies in such action; the soldiers of the
| Union have no personal animosites to bury. but
they do believe that one days pause. May 80
| may proftibly be made in intoxicating upon the
whole country the services and sacrifices of the
soldiers and sailors who saved it from dismember-
| ment
A eomrade from Livermore, Iowa. referring to
| an article in THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE of Dec Is in
the proposition became law. and if So where and
! how the badges can be obtained. These badges
using the design Of the central circle and figures
| on the membership badge. to be worn in the but
ton-hole in the lapel of coat, duly adopted by
| the National Council of Administration. and can
| be obtained at a low price from Headquarters OF
| the Department. The eomrade can obtain full in
formation to price by writing to the A. A. G. OF
his Department..