The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-08-01
A Brief Review of the Object
Of the Order.
on RELIGION AND POLITICS
The Charitable Cisuse-The RequI-
sites for Membership-Thsw W.
X C., and 10y al Legion.

q
Grand Army Of the Republic is an or
ganization growing out of the late war
of the Rebellion, but with an idea OF
learning something more Of its objects
a HERALD man yesterday called upon
Col. Henry rage, of the James B. Nc
Kean Post, and was favored with
pleasant chat.
''Ths objects, as you will see from tbs
rules and regulations OF the Ma
tional Encampment, are to preserve
and strengthen those kind and fra;er-
nal feelings which bind together the
soldiers, sailors aud marines who
united to suppre the late rebellion.
and perpetuate the history and the
memory of the dead; to assist such
former comrades in arms as need help
and protection, and to extend needfGl
aid TO the widows and orphans Of those
who have fallen; to maintain true
allegiance to the United States,
based upon paramount res
pect for, and fidelity to, the
national constitution and laws, to dis
cOuntenance whatever tends to weaken
loyalty. inciteS to Instruction,
treason, or rebellion or in any manner
impairs the efficiency and permanency
of our free Institutions; and TO en-
courage the spread of universal
liberty. equal rights and justice to all
men,"
who are eligible for membership,
and what qualifications are necessary
As you Will also learn from
the authority quoted above,
answered the Colonel, all soldiers and
sailors of the United States army, navy
or marine corps. who served between
April u, 1861, and April 9Th, 1855. in
the war for the suppression Of the Re-
bellion, and those who were hOnOrably
discharged therefrom after such service,
and of such State regiments as were
called into active service and subject 10
the orders OF United States general off,
GERS, between the dates mentioned, are
eligible TO membership. The idea Of
objects is fully delineated in
what l have told you. The
organization was first brought
mt existence shortly after the
war, but il did not amount 10 much
until about five years ago. l suppose
that at the time Of its birth people had
had all the war they wanted,
and the insignia and trappings
had considerable Of the reverse effect
years. The -. A. L. now claims q
membership of II least $50 coo, and
there is scarcely a village in the United
States that does not contain its post,
large or small as circumstances may
determine Religion or politics are
never taken into consideration in the
mstter-the only qualification for mem
bership in the Grand Army being good
record during the late war. Some Of
the posts in the country are very
wealthy, notably, understand,
the Philadelphia. a delegation from
which passed through here a short tms
ago. All OF The posts are, Of course,
amenaOle TO the national organization,
which meets each year at such a place
as may be mutually agreed upon. This
year, as YOU are aware, the encamp-
ment meets in San Francisco, and that
city is the objective point OF all tbs
delegates who have passed and are now
passing through salt Lake"
Attic 10 Of the Constitution pro-
vides that no officer or cOmrade Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic shall in
in any manner use this organization for
partisan purposes. and no discussion Of
partisan questions shall be permitted az
any of its meetings, nor shall any nOmi-
nation for political Office be made, and
Article IL provides for a relief fund for
the assistance OF needy soldiers, sailors
al marines, and widows and orphans
OF deceased soldiers, sailors and marines,
shall be established By the several posts,
and any dOna tons TO his fund shall
be held sacred for such purpose.
ANY comrade convicted divulging
any of the private affairs Il the Grand
Army OF tie Republic, or OF violating
any OF the provisions of tn article,
shall be diShOnOrabiy discharged
In addition 70 this is the Womens
Relief Corps, which Is also organized for
charitable purposes, and with the idea
OF afiOrding relief anu furnishing what
ever assistance may be in their power 10
soldiers OF the Union in tie lac war.
There is also the Loyal Legion, an
organizsti ton which ante dates the
Grand Army OF the Republic. This,
however. is Of WHAT might be termed
more select order, and was organized
mainly with the IDEA OF including the
officers of the army and navy ~hO
figured in the war. There Is. however
clause in the Constitution which
makes il possible for the eldest son OF an
officer, in case Of the death OF his iatheI'
TO Join under tie second class.