Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-08-22
RISE OF THE GRAND ARMY.
Origin and Growth of the Organiza-
ton - The Work of Its
Founder.
Non-PartizanShip Principle of the
Order-The First Post Formed
in 1966-Some Interest
ing Figures.

The great gathering of Grand Army
veterans which Boston recently witnessed.
invites attention 10 the origin. growth and
purposes of the order. 1t is now abou,
twenty-folIr years Stree DIR. B. F. Stephen
son, of Springfield. Ill.,, formulated the
plans for this organization. Starting with
a membership drawn from the few who
were privileged to wear heir country
uniform In perllouS days. the order has ex-
banded into marvellous dimensions. and.
to quote the words of an enthusiast, is to-
day the grandeSt association of soldiers
and sailors ever formed for the exempiifi-
cation Of fraternity, charity and loyalty"
That 1t has made some mistakes in its
early. and even later, history. its friends
will not deny; but there is now a determi-
nation that Its work shall carry on without
distinction OF party or creed. rank or
color. There is a standing rule " aich
says that no officer or comrade shall in any
MAJ ner use the organization for partisan
purposes, and no discussion of partisan
questions shall be permitted at any meet
lngs. nor shall any nominations for politi-
cal Office be made.
The Rev. w. J. Rutledge. who is also
associated with the rise of the Grand
Army, was tent mate and bosom friend
of DR.. Stephenson in the Fourth Illinois
Cavalry, which formed part of Sherman 5
expedition to Meridian in February. 1864
w lle upon tins campaign heSuggested to
DIR. Stephenson that the soldiers so closely
allied IN the fellowship of Suffering would
when mustered out of the service natural
~ desire some form Of association that
would preserve the friendship and the
memories OF their past dangers. They
agreed to work out project having this
end III view, and soon after the close of
their army service met in Springfield. Ill.,.
and arranged ritual. A little later.
April =, 1866, with the assistance of Cap
tam John 5. Phelps, the first G. A. Il.
post was organized at Decatur. Ill. The
charter read as follows:
To All Whom 1t May Concern. Greet
ing:
Know We that the commander of the
department of Illinois, reposing special
trust and confidence in the patriotism aud
fidelity of NJ. T. Banan, G. r Steele.
George II. Cunning, |. C. Pugh, J. H.
Male, }. I. Bishop, c. Belbsame, J. NJ
Routh, R. F. Sibley |. NJ. Celtrin. joseph
Prior. and A. Toland. does by the author
lty IN him vested, empower and constitute
them charter members Of an encampment
of the Grand Army of the Republic. to be
known as post of Decatur, District of
Macon, Department of Illinois, and they
are hereby constituted as said post, and
authorized to make bylaws for the govern
ment of said post, and to do and perform
all acts necessary to conduct and carry on
SAID organization in accordance with the
constitution (adOpted later of the Grand
Army of the Republic.
Dated at Springfield. ILL.,, April 9. 1866.
b. +. STEPHENSON,
Commander OF the Department.
Later a constitution was adopted at De-
partment headquarters the post at Decatur
receiving a copy May Is, followed by the
ritual. The plan of organization prOvid-
ed for posts, districts and departments.
the national head to be known as the
Grand Army of the Republic. The OBJ
jects to be accomplished are SET "orth as
follows
l. To preserve and strengthen those
kind and fraternal feelings which bind to.
gett er the soldiers, sailors and marines
who united to suppress the late rebellion.
and to perpetuate the memory and history
of the dead
:. To assist such former comrades in
arms as need help and protection, and to
extend needful aid to the widows and or
phanS of those who have fallen.
). 10 maintain true allegiance to the
United States of America, based upon a
paramount respect for and fidelity to the
national constitution and laws, and to dis
coIntenance whatever tends to weaken
loyalty, lnCites to instruction, treason or
rebellion, or IN any manner impairs the
efficiency and permanency of our free in
situations; and to encourage the spread of
universal liberty, equal rights and justice
to all men.
The first national convention was held
at indianapolis, Nov. 20, 1866. for the
purpose Of perfecting organization. Each
post was entitled to one representative.
and when the membership exceeded 100 to
one additional representative. The pro-
vlsiOnal cOmmander-in-chief. Dr. Stephen
son, called the meeting to order, and look
ed for a nomination from the convention.
but III this he was grievously disappoint-
ed, for the mantle fell upon Gen. Stephen
A. Hurlbut, of Illinois The office of
ddJutant- general alone was given to the
man who had strIven so hard and well to
bring into being an association which was
to make its influence felt throughout a
continent. After years of unrequieted
toll, disabled and discouraged, y says the
Chronicle, DIR. Stephenson died at Rock
Creek, Menard county, ILL.,, Aug. 30. 1871
In 1882 his remains were removed to
Peter burg and buried in the soldiers plot
of Rose Hill Cemetery, on the Banks of
the SangamOn river"
General John A Logan who succeeded
General Hulbut as commander-in-chief..
served three terms. He was followed by
A. E. Burnside. Charles Devens, Jr., John
F. Hartolnft, John c. Robinson, William
EdrnshaN, Lcuis Wagner. George S. Mer-
rill. Paul Van Der WORT, Robert B. Beath.
John S. Kountz. s. S. Burdett. Lucius
FairchiId. joan P. Rhea. William War
ner and Russell A. Alger, the present in
combent.
The twenty-third annual session of the
Grand Army of the Republic was held in
Milwaukee. Wis, commencing Aug. %.
1899. Commander-in-C heif Warner pre-
siding. As showing the wonderful growth
of the order during its comparatively brief
existence, it NAV be stated that forty-two
departments (6Sl1 posts were represented
by Gal department officers. They came
from every state and territory in the
Union. From reports it is seen that the
totnI amount expended by the Grand
ArIGv y charity from july l. 1871 to July
|. 1889, amounted to 81 .935. 1851 Of
that sum 1921. ass was expended during
the last named year. The net assets of
cash, bonds and other property in the
hands of the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
was S,}7 ,99438. in addition to s10.-
1924 received for the Grant memorial
fund.
In 1871 the membership of the order
in good standing was only 1851; to-day
it reaches close on to 100000 To quote
the glowing words of * -Commander-in-
Chief Warner: The spirit of comradshsp
never permeated our ranks more than now
The comrades are in line. touching elbows
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the
cypress to the pines. the worthy successors
to the grandest army that ever marched 10
battle. The enlarged catholicism of our
organization is such that there Is and can
be but one Grand Army of the Republic
1t had its birth amid shot and shell. was
baptized IN patriots blood. and has
grown with the years in the sunshine Of
peace.
= Visit to the House of Commons.
We are going to the house tonight
Sir Frederick has an important bill com