Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-27

The following fraternal address has been
issued by Department Commander Stewart
to the post commanders. 1t is a good ad-
dress and has the right ring in it If the
enthusiasm is not already sufficiently aroused
this ought to serve the purpose of arousing
1t to the required pitch:
We are now in the last quarter of 1882 At
the beginning of the year asked that special
effort be made to reach $1,000 membership in
the Department Of Penns, lvania by January,
1881, and believed 1t possible to reach that
number. We have gained largely and in
many posts splendid work has been done in
recruiting. We have for very many years been
the strongest Department in the G. a. r. Our
position has been matter of pride and honor
TO every comrade With a membership of
5OOOO our position is secure for all time No
other Department can surpass US. To those
who have been laboring earnestly to increase
our membership desire to return my thanks.
To those who have not put forth proper energy
in recruiting make appeal at this time,
while yet one quarter remains in which to do
this work An increase of 10 per cent in each
post will accomplish the desired end. See if
you have done this. If not please take the
necessary steps at once to interest the COM
rades. Appoint good recruiting committee
or what's better, give each comrade a blank
application and ask HIM to bring in a recruit
DclOT6 l. II you nave gained the re-
quired 10 per cent continue the work and help
us out.
Appoint acompetent delinquent committee to
give attention to the reinstatement of dropped
or suspended members.
1t would be glorious record to be able to re-
port to the Department Encampment in Feb
ruary next 600 posts and $1,000 men, and to re-
port also that not one post in the department
shows a loss for 1889
Every post commander can share in the glory
OF such an achievement. Activity and earnest
ness on the part of commander of post will
encourage the comrades He should lead in
the work. Call attention to recruiting every
meeting night. The department officers have
worked hard to advance the department.
personally have travelled over Is 900 miles thus
far in this work. but we are powerless unless
our efforts are supplemented by yours Help
US to reach the point for which we are striving
Do not relax your efforts or cease your work as
long as an honorably discharged soldier who
would be desirable member of our order is
outside our ranks. If you cannot secure his
application see If there is not some comrade in
the post who can. We can make this the BAN
ner year of the banner department. Let us do
1t; then every department officer and every post
officer can always point with pride to the fac:
that he contributed to that grand result
If your post has been doing its full share Of
the work l sincerely thank you for it. If not,
let me urge you to 60 work now in earnest and
resolve that this quarter shall show a good
gain.
; Every post, large or small. can add to its
numbers. There is material enough in every
community. There are many dropped or sus-
pended members who can easily be induced to
be unable to pay the reinstatement fee, then
help him by remitting all or part of 1t
Remember that work is being done along the
whole line, and you will occupy an unenviable
position If at the close of the year the post you
have the honor to command is not up in its
place.