Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1886-05-24
OUR Eek SOLDIERS,
The Grand Army of the Republic-Tts
Aims and Objects-Reasons why
Each Ex-Meldier should be a Mem
her

- Asf
Aims and Objects-Reasons why
Each Esx-Meldier should be a Mem
Der.
TO tho Press and Dakota,an.
j have often asked myself this qnes-
ton: "Why is it SO many ex-soldiers
remain outside the camp of the G. A.
r." No satisfactory excuse has ever
come back in response. The interroga-
tory has died away echoless and unans-
wered. 1t is generally well known what
the nam objects of the Ct. A. r. are
hence it is s%uperfuous to recite the
same for the purpose of enlightening
old soldiers. They have long since
known how and why the society was or
ganized and realize the power and in
fuence which keeps it alive and rapidly
increasing, collectively eve while in
dividually it's members are fast joining
the invisible host marshalled by the
great commander on shadowless shores
il the camps of the eternal.
The object of this article, however, is
practical, and whilst Eauch might be
written concerning ths benefits and adj
vantaRes to be derived from connection
with the Ct. A. II. convincing enough to
every veteran who ever donned the blue
and marched under the lead of the
. deathless flag OF stripes and stars,
to induce him to inroll his name as q
. member Of the veteran brotherhood,
. yet it should be unnecessary to use argu-
ments in such case. Every patriotic
: prompting and every soidisrly instinct
, of the veteran urges him to join hands
; with his brother of former days of peril
and nights of gloom. But with all these
incentives at work how many of the old
boys Of "6l and 65" are to-day entirely
disconnected in active membership with
the G. A. r. Yankton has its full quota
of OK. soldiers and Yankton county not.
w~ithstanding it is popnlated with many
who have migrated from the old world
since the rebellion can boast of o large
soldier population. Phil Kearney post
does not complain OF meager member.
ship-it presents a creditable roll, and
d is furnishing; but it does ask all honor.
l. ably discharged soldiers and sailors tc
h enlist under it, and thus assist not only
b Ia keeping alive the memories Of thepast
--of perils brayed and dangers shared
during four years of fierce frnternal
n warfare, memories which should always
be green in the hearts, minds and
o souls of true patriots-memories moi
like a "dim remembered story of the ole
g time entombed, but an ineffaceable and
living photograph %conjoined with 8
% spirit OF liberty laurelled aud immortal
ALI ex-soldIers should be members O,
the Ct IA. r. There is nothing in its
tenets which is not in harmony will
Q honor, fidelity, honesty, patriotism ane
L above all christianity. Its motto SRA.
+ ternity, loyalty and charity" expresses
all. With enough discipline to give
cobasiyeness s~oeiability to broaden
deepen and lengthen human frlendship
and above allthe grand mantle of char
Q ity which opens the fountains Of th,
y heart in flowing streams of sympathy TO,
0 and assistance to the needy and suffer
Ing, it is an organization to which ever,
true soldier should attach himself. TT
members are not isel6sh-they desire al
d veterans to be one of and with them
o Certainly the men who assisted to kse,
70 our flag honored and unsullied in til,
70 free air OF heaven IN this wondrouI
western world, should be glad to NEE
unitedly in Fraternity, loyalty ant
charity The writer for one
a hopes to see the many ex.sol
dleTs in Yankton and in Yankto,
country, fall in rapidly with the q. A. r
Q. Let Phil Kearney post of Yankton civ,
q good account Of herself at the coming
j annual territorial encampment of the g
RS A. r. at Mitchell. Come in out of til,
draft. A PHIL KEARNEY VETERAN.
s