The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1890-04-10

other organization on
earth can lay claim to such glorious
and precious memories. Let US keep
this brotherhood together on the high
est plane of citizenship and prove to
the people, North and South, that the
Grand Army of the Republic is
worthy of their confidence, that it is
doing a work demanded by the
strongest claims of humanity, and
that its objects are in accord with the
purest principles of patriotism
PEACE AT LAST.
On the 14th day of April, 1865, the
United States flag, which just four
years before had been lowered upon
the formal surrender of Fort Sump-
ter, was again raised over that fort,
The rebellion ended in the surrender
of the TRANSIT Mississippi Depart
mcnt on the 25th of May, 1865.
In April, 1865, more than a mill
ion Of men were in the military SER
vice of the United States. A still
larger number had been previously
enrolled and discharged.
10 these must be added a roll OF
names which, at that time, numbered
over three hundred and fifty thou
sand. The Grand Army of the Dead.
Altogether 2 1859, 1872 men had been
! enrolled in the military service.
There had been killed in battle
81, O5S; died of wounds and other
injuries, 1902 of disease, 224,5S6,
and from causes not classified, 24,-
S52.
The army had taken part in more
than two thousand engagements.
The parting of the veterans at
their places of final discharge from
the service inspired the desire that
the friendships formed should be
maintained through life, and but few
regiments failed to arrange for future
meetings at times that should COM
memorate some important event Of
their past history.
The third army corps union was
the first army society organized,
March 16, 1862. The first division
September /, 1862. A meeting of
officers was held September l, 1868,
to form an association, the main OBJ
iect at that time being to secure
funds for embalming and sending
home for burial the bodies of officers
killed in battle or dying in hospitals
at the front. The last meeting was
held, prior to the muster out, June
3, 1865. The 25th anniversary was
held in New York City May 3, 1888.
In 1866 political events induced
among the veterans the formation OF
hundreds of political clubs, under
such titles as "Boys ~ Blue Sol
dicrs and Sailors Leagues" "Whitc
Bows in Blue" conservative Army
and Navy Union,' Colored Soldiers
League" etc.
In the east, after the fall elections
of 1866, these clubs were ready to
disband, but the warm feelings OF
comradeship lead to inquiries for q
better and more permanent %organiza-
ton.
No Post had been established cas-
of Ohio prior to October, 1866, bu'
when q beginning was effected in any
of the eastern states, these clubs
which were composed only of thos'
eligible to membership in the Crane
Army of the Republic, NATURAL,
formed the Nucleus for the Posts
-, which we're thereafter rapidly formed
many instances, wholly from "Boy
= in Blue" or similar associations.
There were many who recognized
the power existing in such an organl
. cation of veterans, and who believe
tina, it could be maintained if place
upon n purely n%on-partisan basil;
and that it could not be malntaine'
on any other.
= In January. 1868, the National en-
h campmcnt declared that while
l., was the purpose of the Grand Arm
"to secure the rights of these defent
ers of their country by all moral 81
cial and political means in our col
v troll" "yet this association does ne
design to make nominations for oihc'
If nor 20 use its influence as q seer
organization for partisan purposes
In 1869 the following article WI
added to the rules and regulations
"No officer or comrade of the Gran
I. Army If tbe RepubIic shall in az