The Wilmingtonian., 1886-02-13

IL is pleasing to note the increased interest
manifested in the observance of this sacred
day by the Posts everywhere The day has
become national one and it is hoped that
no comrade will forget the sacred memoi les
which the day brings forth. The loyal peo.
pie of our little state are willing and anxious
to pay their tribute of respect to the memory
of our fallen comrades.
But in many places we need Posts of the
G. A. r., to take the lead and to instil in
the minds and hearts of the children what it
has cost this nation in human life and money
to preserve inyiolate our Tree institutions.
Each year as We gather in our memorial
services and listen to the roll call of death
we have new names which are added to the
long list Of our nations dead heroes.
During the past year we have added to the
the list the names of several of our well
known aud dearly loved commanders of our
gallant armies in the days of 81 to 65; we
have also added the name of our old CON-
mander and world renowned hero U. S.
Grant as well as other beloved comrades
whom we knew as gallant soldiers and hon
ored members Of the G. A. r.
INSPECTIONS.
At the beginning of the term hoped that
we might be able to have Quarterly inspec-
tions of each Post by the Assistant Inspect
tors, for which purpose we appointed an AS
sistant Inspector for each post and also have
a thorough inspection semi-annually by the
department Inspector but the hard times we
experienced prevented us in having as full
musters as we wished, so that we were not
able to have thorough inspection Of every
Post. But to the department Inspector and
the Assistant Inspectors extend my hearty
Acknowledgements for the courtesy and zeal
displayed and services rendered by them and
recommend them to future commanders.
SUSPENSIONS.
w "'ii pooSA fC W lllC AsSloLduU Au1u-
tant Generals report that our principal loss
of members is from suspension for dues, and
it is hoped that this Encampment will take
action in this matter aud recommend some
thing that will assist the comrades in retain
ing their membership in the different Posts.
woMANs' RELIEF CORPS.
heartily epdorsethe idea cf eaoa Post
having Womans Relief Corps or Ladies
Aid Society connected with it believing they
can accomplish more real charitable work |
with the aid of the ladies than in any other
way and would therefore recommend them
to the post as powerful lever for good
SONS OF VETERANS.
am aware that a large number of the
comrades are not in favor of the organization
Of the Sons of Veterans but as the annual
recurrence of memorial day reminds us that
our numbers are getting smaller and that we
are not able to march with the steady tread
of 20 years and that the day will soon come
when we too will be mustered ont it be-
hooves us to encourage the order of Sons of
Veterans SO that they can keep up the beau
tiful customs and services of memorial day
if for nothing else.
SERVICE CARDS
| wish to call the attention of the comrades
to the system of cards adopted by the pen
sion department, the benefits to be derived
from cheerful obedience to the request of
the pension department, will in some cases
be almost iucaleulable as it enables
disabled comrades or the widows and
orphans of our fallen comrades to
obtain evidence that would be impossible for
them to obtain otherwise. Therefore |
would recommend to the Present-Post Com
manders that they make inquire in their sew
eral Posts of any eOmrade that has not filled
out one of these cards, and have him do so
Immediately and forward the same to De-
parment Head Quarter.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Having visited all the Posts in this depart
ment l am happy to say that they are in a
fair, and think highly prosperous condition
but would recommend that the officers make
themselves thoroughly acquainted with the
ritual, the rules and regulations, and, also with
decisions and opinions of the various Com.
manders in Chief,and Judge Advocates Gen.
eral and know of no better assistance in
this work than the Grand Army Blue Book
by Commander in Chief r. B. Beath, which
should be in the possession Of every Post.
would recommend that the department
procure book in which to have entered
every comrades name that has ever been
member of the G A, r. in this department,
together with his residence and full des-
cription list also ofhis present standing in the
g. A, r. Also take steps to secure roster
of all the Delaware Regiments and tine resi-
ience of all the members of tho same that
they can, as these Headquarters are contin-
nally il. receipt of communications asking for
the name and residence of members of the
Delaware Regiments.
l would also recommend that the depart
nent take immediate steps toward printing
A journal in pamplplpt farm of This denart