The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1891-08-06

Poiifics Relegated TO tho Rear.
When the feeling that the order was
mainly intended to advance the political
prospects Of the members was the
strongest, the national encampment de-
clared that while it Yves the purpose OF
the Grand Army to secure the rights Of
the defenders Of their country by all
moral, social and political means with
in our control. yet "this association
does not design TO make nominations
for Office, or to use its influence as Q
secret organisation for partisan pur-
poses. This was In 1858. The next
year the following was added to the
rules and regulations: No, officer or
comrade of the Grand Army Of the Re
public shall In any manner use this or
ganixation for partisan purposes, and
no discussion of partisan questions
shall be permitted at any Of it's meet
ings, nor shall any nomination for
political Office be made.
Has Dens : Great Work.
The Grand Army has on It's rolls over
half the number Of living veterans, and
1t Is stronger than ever before. It has
used its influence to secure legislation
for the education and care Of orphans of
dead comrades, Tor increased pensions,
and for homes for destitute and disabled
veterans to help them in their advanc-
ing years. it has removed from the ma
ton the disgTace OF permitting men to
die and be buried - paupers tn the land
they had preserved by their bravery
and self-sacrifce. Monuments have
been placed upon the battle fields of the
late war and the departed comrades
have been honored. Memorial day has
been established as q national holiday
on which to scatter flowers on the
graves of the nations heroes. The
Grand Army to-day Is the representa-
tive organization of the soldiers and
sailors Of America, the one great associ-
alton which numbers In its ranks vet
Grams Of every degree, from the officer
who wears the stars of general to the
private who has only the scars Of battle
and the priyations Of camp life to dis
tinguish him. Il includes every nation
Atty, every color, every creed. All who
fought for the Union on land or sea,
now meet beneath the one flag which
they protected 90 well when 1t was in
danger.
A Remarkable Career.
During the twenty five years of Its ex-
istence the Grand Army Of the Republic
has had remarkable career. It was
organized at Decatur, Ills, on April s,
1855. The founder Of the order was DIR.
benjamin =. Stephenson, who was sur
geon OF the Fourteenth Illinois infantry,
and was mustered out In 1864. 1t is a
matter OF general regret that DR.. Steph-
enson did not live to see some Of the
hov,oRnioI 60 &c 1o1 ,<>,,o H.
died when the order was struggling
with adversely and political dissentions.
Up to 1871 the organization grew but
slowly, owing to its being regarded q
political and religious body. Gradually
these influences disappeared, and q
healthy and rapid growth set in.
The first post commander was M. f.
Kanan, and tho first national comman-
der General Stephen A. Hurlbut In
1906 the first post was organized in New
York city, the charter being obtained
from Illinois. This post Is the present
Phil Kearney Post No. =. The New
York department. was organized in 1857.
The first department commander was
Colonel j. b. Mexican, and the second
General Daniel e. Sickles.
Commanders in Chief.
fallen upon many distinguished soldiers
since the Grand Army was organized.
Here is the list:
General 8 A. HuFlbut, Illinois, 1867.
General John A. Logan, Illinois, 1S6S-70.
General Ambrose e. Burnside, Rhode
Island, 1914
General Charles Devens, Jr., Massachu-
setts, 1854
General John F. Hartranft, Pennsyl-
vania, 1850
General John C. Robinson, New York,
1S77-S
Captain William Earnshaw, Ohio, 1879.
General Louis Wagner, Pennsylvania,
Major George S. Merrill, Massachusetts,
1881.
Sergeant . Paul Van Der Wort, Ne
Colonel Robert P. Beath, Pennsylvania,
Drummer Boy John S. Kountz, Ohio,
Captain s, s. Burdette, District of
Columbia, 1885:
General Luoius Fairchild, Wisconsin.
Major John 2. Rea, Minnesota, 1887.
Major William Warner, Missouri, 1885,
General Russell A. Alger, Michigan,
Colonel wheelock G. veazey, Vermont,
Half Million Members.
The order has grown until there are
1000 posts and nearly 500, 600 members.
During the last year $3.50, 600 has been
expended In relieving comrades, ex-
soldiers and their families. Nearly
4O, 900 people have benefited by the
bounty Of the order during The year.
The aggregate amount expended by the
Grand Army posts for relief since 1871
has reached the sum of $4,000, 900.
Homes and asylums for soldiers, or
phans and widows have been built and
maintained, and destitute families pro-
vided Tor. The amount Of good done
by the order cannot be calculated.
womans' Relief Corps.
The annual convention of the
Womans' Relief Corps is one of the
most interesting features Of the week.
There are 120, 900 members, headed by
Mrs. Mary Sears McH Henry, the national
president. The organization has
branches In every state in the union ex-
cept Alabama, and in all the territories
but three.
A aopth Dakota Goal Find.
MINNESOTA, s. D., Aug. 8.-Much ex-
element prevails here over the discovery
OF 1s-foot vein Of the finest coal yet
discovered In the Northwest. The new
mine is twenty-three miles west Of this
city, in the Bear Lodge range Of noun
tains. Over three thousand acres OF
land have been located there by George
M. Nix, Of Dubuque, Ia, aud COM
pany has been formed at that city with
sufficient capital to carry on extensive