The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-08-27
criticism Of lhe MII.larr order LOYAL LssI

EDITOR NATIONAL Tribune: / hope, in the
name Of consistency and good old-fashiOned
American principles you will allow me 10 say
n few words in your columns relative 10 the
Military Order OF the Loyal Legion. By the
Tritme Almanac for 1891 learn that three
classes Of persons arc eligible % membership.
lst All comm issi0ncd officers Of u. $.
Army, Navy. and Marine Corps"
81. Oldest sons. OF II years of age, Of liv-
ing original companions Of first class"
81. Civilians who were active aud eminent
in their services to the Union"
A few words about tho .ccond class Living
original companions" v TO were theyY Char
ter members? Well, Il Is MINISTERIAL. Why
in the name Of American principles. restrict
membership to the oldest son OF any oil
Ger? If the officer who proposed the second
class was born subject Of Queen Victoria he
acted consistently. How could an American
citizen, holding commission in the Army Of
tho United States, indOrsD the second class {!
Now mark, comrades. Ia the light Of the
dealings Of the Government, in and out of the
Army, you know an officer was supposed to DO
more intelligent. better informed, aud more
honest than a Private, Corporal, or Sergeant.
To understand the last statement / refer you 10
the law which provides that tho affidavit of
one officer or two pTiyates" Is required.
Pause moment and reflect. See what fol-
lows Think Of an American officer with all
his supposed wit, intelligence, aud knowledge
OF the foundation principles OF the Erandcst
aud best Government under the sun, think Of
him ind0rsing the second class requirements,
as IL the other sous were not as intelligent and
worthy OF such hOuDTs rs the Oldest" 10
was not their fault that they were not the
4" first born" 1t is Eugiish-Old fDgy English
I at that. The modern, enlightened, and enter
/ prsing race Of EHgIishmcn Tepudiato the idea,
and justly scorE tic man who advocates the
/ law resulting from t. Do not misunderstood
\ me. / always hOnOred. and still honor, the
meritorous and gentlemau!y officer, but am
amazed 20 sec so many Of them act so incOn-
sistcHtly with well-knOWn principles of Amer
\ lean law and customs. For instance, equality
| and representation, and equality in the distri-
/ button Of estates, ne well as hOnOTs.
They arc simply iId1ring the old primo
/ geniture law, which provides that all mans
real estate passes 10 ms eldest son. lie may be
yagabond throughout the earth His brothers
and sisters may have remained at home and
cared for the parents aud made the farm bloom
| and blossom the rose. yet every nook and
corner Of the British domain, upon which the
! sun never sets, will 10 TansdckCd 10 find the
eldest SON"
Noble aud truly honorable members o.
Military Order Loyal Legion as you love your
other sons. repeal that hideOus clause at YOU
first opportunity. You admit civilians o.
known activity aud cmincnce in behalf Of IN,
Union, the ratio not 10 exceed one 20 80 Of frs
class. That proyisO implies fear. Fear o
whatg / raise the question. Let your com
panions answer IL. Have no ratio, or thD
"actiye aud eminent" civilians will be, if no
so already. disguised aud 80 back on you
intelligence"
You 30 not know, / suppose, any higl
privatCs, COrpOral5 or trEcants that are worthy
Of mpauoushipT Modify your "by-laws
SO that you can admit any honorable an,
worthy Union soldier. Read the objects" o
your Order" and sec II you are "advaucinl
the interests Of tho soldier etc, by pTcferrin
"oldest sons aud "actiyc and eminent citi
zens" You virtually say "the soldier IS no
worthy of cOmpani0uship." The soldier dit
, not help you 10 obtain your commission an,
, your lRrels. did her Be men-high- miude,
men!
True companionship, true comradship dis
cards all distinctions between honOrably-dis
charged soldiers. Merit not rank" shOult
win. If | am rightly informed, membership
originally in the Society Of the Army of TIA
Cumberland was confined exclusively to com
missioncd officers, but for several years pas
any worthy Union soldier is admitted. wOr
10 the wise and just is suilicient.-SAMUEL
HENDERSON. Co. A, 1lrh Ohio, Co. Il, 4th Obi
, lnd'p't Battery, Dayton, ..