The National tribune., 1886-09-16
UNION VETERAN LEGION.
Objects and Principles of the Organization.

To THE EDITOR: Numerous inquiries have
been made in reference to the causes that have
led to the formation of the body known as the
Union Veteran Legion. For Is years the writer
has been identified with an association of the
defenders of the Union during the years from
1861 to 1865 of various grades of rank and
length of service. The writer's record of serv-
ice was published in THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
a few weeks since, and is well known to his
comrades throughout Pennsylvania. He does
not wish to enter into any abuse or attempt to
destroy any efforts that may be attempted to
carry out the principle Of help to the surviving
defenders of the Union and the widow and or
phans of those who have gone. The clause that
permits an application for membership in the
Union Veteran Legion reads as follows, viz:
Soldiers sailors and marines of the Union Army,
Navy and Marine Corps during the of the
rebellion who volunteered for term of three years
and bonoFably discharged by reason of
wounds received in the line of duty but no drafted
person or substitute, nor anyone who has at any
time borne arms against the United States Is
eligible.
The writer has, from his correspondence, his
conversations and his Interpretation of the
obligation upon him to his comrades, believed
for some years that there should be an associa-
ton of such as the above qualification presents,
that has finally resulted in the organization of
the Union Veteran Legion. In the short space
of less than two years eight Encampments
have been organized, large in number and in
| active operation, with at present six appliea-
tions for charters Its fraternity is intended to
apply to such as its membership embraces for the
purpose of binding together in comradeship
the soldiers, sailors and marines true in record
of purpose during the war, and to prevent in
this associated body the admittance of the
| shirker from duty in the field, the deserter
| with fixed up record, the officer who was
compelled to resign or stand trial for coward
| ice before the enemy, drunkenness or disobedi-
| ence of orders-those who have contributed to
destroy the confidence the general public should
| and would have in its surviving Union defend
| ers and to bring down to a level with the class
| of people detested by all true soldiers the vet
| eran true in principle to the Union and true in
action to his country. Its charity is to be ex-
| tended to the widows and orphans of dead COM
rades who need advice and assistance, and to
comrades in want. Its patriotic purpose is to
| keep alive that love of country the Union SOL
| der manifested by his service for the preserva-
| ton of constitutional authority, and to engraft
| upon the rising generation the love and affec-
| ton he contended for in the continued Union
of the United States of America; his love of the
liberty its laws promised to all people, of what
ever race or condition; his determination to ex-
pose wrong and oppression whenever and wher-
| ever exercised, and TO uphold the laws of his
| country to endeavor to illustrate in his actions
| the fact that the defenders of the Union, true
in action and principle in those other days of
| sore trial, can and will exercise an influence
for better Government.-DANIEL CALDWELL,
Commander, Encampment No. 2. Union Vet
eran Legion, 1919 North Twenty second street,
Philadelphia, Pa.