Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-09
THE ORDER AND ITS WORK.

The predictions Of those who have insisted
that the Grand army of the Republic was
simply passing craze, or at best a mani
festation Of party activity and hence des-
tined to q short life, have not been verified.
Notwithstanding some unpleasant occur
renceS OF late years, whereby the reputation
of the society has suffered, the order grows
stronger daily, the members grow more de-
voted, and the soldiers who until now have
remained outside are leaning toward the
camps in a friendly way on every opportu-
nifty, and new recruits are coming IN by
thousands in every department each year.
The order numbered ct last encamp-
ment over 100000 comrades 1t Will
muster nearly 100000 now, and there ara
about twice that number of veterans who
are eligible but are not now on the rolls.
Outsiders-that is, men who did not serve
are found wondering what the old soldiers
row have in common to bind them together
When the answer is fraternity, charity, 10y.
atty, the mystery is still ullsolved The fra
ternal feeling among veterans is stronger
than among brethren bound by any other
tie, and the reason of it, as explained by
comrades who are also Masonic brethren. is
very natural. At a great Grand Army gather
the mystic hailing and recognition signs and
stated in tie presence Of several comrades
who were not Masons that the bond of COM
radeship was the stronger of the two, even
among Masons Of long standing AS one ex-
pressed it, I'VE love our Masonic brethren
fer what they are today. but we love our
brethren of the Grand Army for what they
were when it took very good man to be a
comrade."
Vet the order is not meaningless frater-
nifty in practical sense. While sentiment
enters largely into the motives impelling a
veteran to seek out his Old comrades, he finds
after q time that such association is helpful
There is a work that old soldiers can do bet
ter than other members OF the community.
The matter OF political intriguing SO often
charged upon the order is one that would no6
be tolerated by the very nature Of the asso-
citation. The reason why the charge is made
Is that comrades, in politics as in all otac1.
affairs, act in concert, but il their favors
they know 10 party and simply support tlse
soldier element. The principle is that, ali
other things being equal, the soldier shall
have preference to q comrades support This
support extends to social political and bust
ness affairs, and is no more subversive Of
honest, independent citizenship than the sup
port given By members of any secret fra
ternity or religious denomination TO one
another
The personnel of the order improves con-
stantly, and the men who now constitute the
actual majority belong 10 the best elements
OF society. As Gen. Sherman declared at
reception given by Grand Army post in
New Cr-1 city, "OEefee like asking Grand
Army men 10 produce q certificate that they
ever wore the blue"
Yet none but true Union veterans can Join
tie Grand Army. This latter statement,
while not official, is founded on THE fact in
the case. In order 70 become a member q
candidate must prove an acoual service. and
SO strict has this rule been observed that
some men who fought at Gettysburg
short service meal have been kept ont Tie
unwritten law Of the order has been stronger
than the written one, but in this respect the
feeling grows more liberal Is time goes OF.
In most states any soldier bearing an honor