The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-06-13
A MILITARY RANK IN THE GAR. AND
= OF "

S. OF V.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: There are four
leading secret orders in the United States-G.A.R,
Odd Fellows, Masons and Knights of Pythias. OF
these the GAR. is the only one founded on the
military idea; the others being built on the idea
of friendship etc. Yett is the only one ofthe four
that does not have military or drill rank The
Odd Fellows have their Patriarchs Militant; the
Masons their Knights Templar. and the Knights of
Pythas their Uniform Rank Those military ranks
have proved towers of strength to their several
orders in attracting members and building up and
strengthening their numbers; for the average man
the world over, be he young or old, loves hand
some uniform and military display. ofthese leading
orders, the one that would most naturally be sup
posed to need military rank is the only one that
does not have one, for if any man should naturally
love neat uniform and military display, it should
be the veteran and his son, for count the GAR.
and S. of V. one, as they in this connecticut
In many places both Orders are lRnguishing. The
G. A r. exists upon memory, with nothing OF the
present day age in it, and there is absolutely
nducement offered in the s. of V. TO attract young
men into its ranks, unless it is the privilege of
wearing n turtle-shaped badge, and that is not
enough.
Why not take hint from the other orders men
toned above, and introduce military rank in the
Order; the same to be degree common to the vet
eran and 6. of ", with attractive uniform, say
beautiful Zouaye dress, something entirely orig
inal yet suggesting the U. s. army uniform; let
the arm be thesword or other weapon, as would be
the most feasble-the whole to cost, say, S25. and
you have introduced something of the present day
in the A r., and offered attaction to the
of veterans that will have practical effect in build
ing up the Order.
think the subject should be taken under con-
sideration at the next session of the National En-
campment, and if THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE will
bring the matter to the attention of that body, it
will at least receive attention and discussion.
&C. NJ. HANE Co. d, 9Th w, Va. Cav.
So far as the GAR. is concerned Comrade
Hane's idea is not new, and it has been proved
impracticable. Early in the history of the
Order the experiment was tried of having
three ranks, but in very short time its inn
policy was made clear, and it was hastily
abandoned. The comrades had enough, and
more than enough, of rank in the army.
They did not want any more of it. 1t is
foreign to the fraternal spirit of the GAR,
which is founded upon the perfect equality
of all who fought for the Union. QEite
enough Vi the pIOIAOllou MllACL 10 ueCSsSttiy
to aid in maintaining healthy interest in
the organization is given by the offices in the
Posts, the Departments and in the National
Encampment. The present uniform of the
| GAR is about as good as can be devised.
| Suggestions are frequently made as to
its Improvement but SO far nothing radi-
cally different has met with much approval.
The uniform and the badge have become as
sociated in the public mind with the yeter-
ans, and for this reason, if for no other, ii
would be unwise to change either.
AS for the Sons of Veterans, we have al
ways urged that they assimilate as closely
to the military form as possible, making each
Camp in effect regularly uniformed, drill
ed and disciplined company or battalion,
with brigade, division and corps organiza-
tions for the larger aggregations. This
would give promotion enough to aid mate
rally in maintaining healthy spirit in the
Order. As to uniform and arms there would
be room for the widest range of fancy. Per
sonally our preference is for uniform and
arms closely approximating that fthe Regu-
lar Army. This will be of Importance in
giving the Order dignity in the eyes of the