The National tribune., 1885-04-02
RECRUIT THE GAR.

The best work that any man can do is to
bring in recruits to the GAR. The best way
to serve the country is to build up the most
purely patriotic organization that this or
any other land can boast Of The best way
TO help every comrade in distress, and every
comrades widow, dependent parents or help
less orphans, is TO aid in strengthening the
noble society which is the shelter and pro-
lection of every man who did his duty to his
country in its day Of trial.
Every honorably discharged soldier should
be member Of the GAR. No valid reason
no reason worthy d moments considera-
tion-can be given for his remaining outside.
He should place himself in line and touch
elbows with his comrades, just as he did 70
years ago. Then it was dishonorable in him
to lag behind. Then, TO be found out of ranks
while his comrades moved forward was to
shirk his share of the duty and the danger,
and throwah heavier burden upon his comrades.
1t is much the same thing now. The GAR
is organized to do q meritorious and much
needed work for the country and for the
stricken survivors of our armies. 1t is
work that needs all who can engage In 1t;
the number of those that can so engage was
fixed 20 years ago. and can not now be in
creased. Therefore, who ever fails to JOIN IN
it, fails to do his clear duty, fails in MAIN
tanning his own part, and does what is akin
to the skulking and shirking of 90 years
ago.
The Order is growing finely, but this is
not sufficient. It should be made to grow
as did the tree which sprang frofa mustard
seed, which lowered up toward heaven, and
spread its branches out toward the four cor
ners of the sky, for the protection of all who
might take refuge Hereunder.
The rate of increase of other societies will
not do. They can afford to wait the course
of time. The GAR. cannot. Every year
death makes sad inroads upon the Orders
actual and probable members. Every year
calls more loudly for all to join in helping
those who are past helping themselves.
The Order has now a quarter of million
of members 1t should have at least four
times that many. There are at least 1,0O0,-
600 men in the country who properly be-
long inside the GAR. Their place is on its
muster-rolls, and they should be put there
before the end Of this year. With prac-
tically every living soldier in its ranks, the
GAR will do work that viii excite the
admiration of the world. 1t is doing mag
nifcent work now. What would it not do
with its membership quadrupled. and its
power for good increased tenfold?
Commander-in-C Chief Kountz is doing all
that burning zeal, great ability and knowl-
edge born of long experience can do to build
| up the Order. He is succeeding grandly.
The growth is continuous and strong, but it
is not all that it should be. There should
be 10 recruits taken in every week where
one is now. The comrades can secure this
by every one of them making it a matter of
personal interest that every proper man in
his neighborhood be gathered into the fold.
| If this good work is made matter of per-
sonal concern by all comrades, the year will
close with every living soldier Of the war of
| 1876 an active member Of the GAR.
Comrades, let us adjure You by all your
love for your country, and for those who
| bore the burden of the strife with you, to
set your hearts upon this most desired
consummation.