The National tribune., 1886-09-09

THE SONS OF VETERANS.
The final consolidation Of the two branches
OF the Sons Of Veterans into one harmonious
Order is quite as gratifying to every GAR.
cOmrade and to every member Of the Wom-
ans Relief Corps as it can be TO the young
gentlemen themselves. One serious obstacle
TO the largest usefulness Of the Order is now
removed, and the energies which would have
been wasted in antagonism and competition
can now he devoted wholly to the upbuild-
ing Of the organization. This is task emil
nently worthy of all the devotion, all the
talent, all the zeal that can be given it.
If the Sons of Veterans are made what it
should be, and what it will be If it goes on
as il has begun, il will be the grandest Order
in the worlds history. To it will be in
trusted in a large measure the training of
the youths Of this and future generations in
the civic and patriotic virtues which should
characterize American manhood 1t will
teach and enforce the strongest lessons of
manliness Of devotion to country, Of honesty
and capacity in public Office, and of the
supremacy of right TO every selfish or ignoble
consideration.
We confidently expect TO see the day when
the country VIII rely upon the Sons Of Vet
Grams as its chief bulwark against sedition,
anarchy and intestine disorder on the one
hand, and the subversive and corrupting in
fluence of enormous wealth and great cor
porations on the other. The country has
urgent need OF Just such an organization,
and the need will become greater every year
for an association that viii manfully assert
that the good of the whole people is the
supreme requirement
Every day now sees organizations growing
up into enormous strength, which have for
their avowed objects the advancement of
interests of a special class Of our people. 1t
is right and proper, within certain bounds,
that they should do this 1t is right that
the railroad men, the mechanics, the opera
tives, and all special forms Of industries
should each combine TO secure justice and
advance their interests. And whether we
recognize this as right or not it is going TO
be done, because il is in obedience TO that
great and general law Of selfishness, which
compels each man to do the best he can for
himself and those dependent upon him.
At the same time it is quite as necessary
that this tendency shall be kept within
proper bounds by the equally strenuous
insistence upon what is due to the country,
and that the obligations of citizenship and
the good of the whole people are paramount
to every selfish consideration.
This can only be efTectually done by an
organization as powerful, as well knit, and
as determined as any and all of the others
and this is the high duty of the Sons OF
Veterans. 1t viii not be antagonistic to any
other lawful organization.
Rather ii viii be helpful to them in any
object which is in harmony with law and
sound public policy, but it viii at all times
maintain an exalted standard Of patriotism
as it's heritage from sires who gave every
thing men could give to secure to the coun
try the blessings of liberty, of self-govern
ment, and the prosperity that flows from tn,
highest honesty and ability in the manage
ment of public affairs.