The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-09-30
RALLY ON THE GAR.

Of the Grand Army Of the Republic. The
history Of this or any other country does not
show another organization planned sowisely
and conducted so ably as this has been. 1t
viii not do to compare it in this respect
with the Masons, Odd Fellows, and similar
orders, for the reason that it was built on
wholly different lines and dealt with differ
ent materials. The Masons FOR example,
have had centuries Of growth in which TO
perfect their organization, and they recruit
slowly and with great care. Every possible
point about which there might be n contro-
versy has been settled long ago, and all that
the members have TO do is to 90 along the
even tenor Of their ways according TO we'll
established precedents The Grand Army,
on the other hand, sprang into existence to
unite into fraternal relations on a new, I'M
tried basis vigorous, active, aggressive men,
with the widest difference of views on relig-
ion, politics and society, and only united by
a common love of country and honorable
military service in defense of her institu-
lions. Out Of this material has been built
the strongest most compact and harmonious
Order in the world. 1t has reconciled inter
nal dissensiOns, brought into accord Earring
elements, disarmed the suspicion and hatred
Of those who sympathized with the cause
against which its members bore arms, and
won the love and admiration of the entire
Nation.
The success with which this has been
done is a monument more glorious than any of
bronze or marble to the intelligence and
capacity Of the American soldier. The
GAR. is his work, and his alone. Alone
and unaided he has built up an organization
superior in all that commends itself to the
respect Of men to any that illumine the
pages Of history. The famous Knights of
the Temple, of the Red Cross, OF any Of the
proud organizations Of to-day do not ap-
prOach il in purity and exaltation of motive
or in dignity and unselfshness of conduct,
and in character Of membership. Every
member of every Post in the land can
proudly challenge comparison of it with any
other organization in his community.
When it comes to the specific purpose for
which it was organized it is found TO fulfill
its purpose better than any other organiza-
ton that has been proposed or suggested. 1t
is above all the representative of The soldiers
of the country. If in any respect it falls
short of doing all that is required to bring
it up TO an ideal standard of usefulness its
constitution is so elastic and easily amended
as to readily incorporate any improvement
that may be practical. With 100000 devot-
ed members, all eager to develop it TO the
highest degree, and whose labors have been
80 fruitful Of good in the past, we may rest
confident that no idea or feature of benefit
TO the soldiers that may develop in the fu-
ture win fail TO be adopted by it,
This makes the outside and rival organiza-
tons that develop from time to time seem
so unnecessary as to be almost folly. Often
these are the work of men who have
been elected from the GAR for sufi-
cient cause, or Of men whose fretting am
bition and selfshness viii not let them &C
cept in the Order the subordinate places
in which their merits, character, or the ne
cessities Of organization place them.
Every proposition to start an organization
outside of the GAR should be scrutinized
rigidly and the character Of the men making
the proposition examined. Disappointed
aspirations or less worthy motives will al
most invariably be found at the bottom of
these propositions Fortunately these Or
CARNATIONS are becoming fewer every year,
as the GAR. fills more completely the
public mind.
The demonstration Of the CARS emf
nent usefulness and purity of purpose and
action removes from it the last objection
that any ex-sOldier can have against becom-
ing member. No man who served honor
ably can give good reason for staying out
any longer, and duty dictates that be should
place himself shoulder 10 shoulder with his
comrades as Of old. If it is good for them
10 be there it is good for him to be there
also. If they are doing good work, and he
knows from his knowledge of them and
what they are doing, that they are doing a
good work, he should he sharing in it, and
he is Sinking if he is not bearing his full
share. lie ought to be animated to-day by
the same generous impulses that led him
years ago TO take his place in ranks along
side Of those who were doing battle for what
they believed 10 be right
The year which has just opened shonld
be fruitful Of increase TO the GAR. We
believe it viii he. The splendid admins
trations Of those who preceded Commander
in-Chief Fairchild have paved the way for
magnificent development of the Orders