The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-05-28
JOINING THE GAR.

There is one consideration in regard to
joining the Grand Army which we are con-
WINGED comrades do not think sufficiently
about. That is the duty Of assisting their
old comrades to care for the impoverished
and disabled soldiers of their community. 1t
IS not question of what one may think of
the abstract principles of joining secret
society, but rather a question of sharing In
bearing the burdens that have been gener-
From all parts of the country reports come
to us that the expenditures of the Posts
small in amount, the bulk of the money
raised being paid out for the support and
the Order. For example, Post No. %, of
Pottsville, Pa, reports that of the 5000 it
has expended for charity since its formation
$21, 900 has been paid for the burial of SOL
diers not belonging to the Post and for the
SuppOlt Va thSAA
wives and families. The case at Pottsville
is about an average one. We think we risk
nothing in saying that there is not Post
in the country but what pays out 50 for the
benefit of non-members to 81 for its own
members. AS rule, the members of Fosts,
while in no instance rich, are industrious,
thrifty men, who manage to support them
selves and their families in comfort and have
something to spare for charity to others.
No one, We are sure, gives more generously
than they do. We hear much of the liberal
ity of actors and the members of other pro-
LESSONS, but we believe that there is no man
in the world so ready to part with his
means for the amelioration of the wants and
sufffierings of others as the old soldier.
Steadily as the Order has grown in past
years, it still does not exceed in number one
fifth of the survivors of the Union Armies.
Therefore, it follows that all charitable ap-
peals on behalf of soldiers and their widows
and orphans are made directly to the Grand
Army, and that everywhere one man is
assuming burdens that should be divided
among five.
1t needs no argument to demonstrate how
unjust to these men this burden is and how
unfair it is for old soldiers, who have an
equal interest in the support of their COM
rades, to withhold their contributions to the
Order which has generously assumed the
charitable work. There is really no other
soldier organization except the GAR, and
there is we submit, no excuse for any man
who is proud of his war record, who rejoices
| that he was once associated with others in
the glorious work of saving the Union, and
who cherishes the remembrance of the re-
suit of the war, from remaining outside that
grand association of men, which is based
/ upon Union service and has SO far carried
on splendidly the glorious work of caring
for the men who bore the heat and burden OF
the strife, and their widows and orphans. III
every man in every community who served
honorably as a soldier and who regards his
wearing the blue as the most creditable
episode of his life will come into the Orde'
and put his shoulders under the burden
that the rest of his comrades are bearing ii
will make the duties of the Order very light
indeed, and aid immensely in perfecting the
grand work now being done by this noblest
of organizations.