The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1891-04-09

Ill. In letter written to the Dept. of
MINI. July Goth, 1867, he says: II de-
termined to attempt to organize the
soldiers so they would at once be pow
er to protect themselves and support the
families of our fallen comrades. I men,
toned the project to many of my friends
who approved of the plan, but were fear
full it could not be Effected. hence was
discouraged. Only five men thought the
plan feasible and promised me assist
ance and did render me very material aid.
These men were Brevet Brig. Gen. Mar
tin Blood OF Wis.,. Col. Daniel Gross of
ILL.,, Capt. H. How of Ohio, Col. J. NJ.
Snyder aad Capt. Jerry A. Hill of III.
With the assistance Of these gentlemen 1
completed the present organization and
organized the first post in the city of De-
catur, ILL.,, April 9Th, 1866. The
work and plan were submit.
ted to a committee and with
some notifications were adopted, The
department was organized and its offic-
ers elected" The order started by this
energetic man has grown until it now
comprises a national organization, 42
departments or state organizations
o.7O1 posts and 41O,6s6 members. At
first the progress in organization was
slow. In some quarters strong predu-
dice was found for fear it was intended
for political purposes, in others. and this
among the soldiers themselves, was
doubt as to the Feasibility and ultimate
success Of the movement. But faith and
untiring energy on the part Of the few
projectors finally oversame all obstacles.
Even alter being establishedon firm
basis the growth was slow. In 1879
after 13 years Of organizatiap, the MEM
bership was only 35,961. From that
year on the increase in membership was
rapid, being $4,000 in the ten years
following as against 1851 In the previ-
Gus Is. To-day the G. A. r. stands
without peer among the many civil or
carnations in this country. 1t has done
great work and has yet great future
before it. The three eordinal principles
emboderd in its motto Fraternity, Char
ity and Loyalty have been kept constant
" in view and much has been done along
these lines.
What lessons have the @. A. r. thought
this nation in the principle of loyalty.
Many poung man has had the fires OF
patriotism rekindled in his breast as he
haslistened to the campfire talks and the
recitals by the oldcomrades of their army
experiences. one Of the frst aets 81 the
organization was to establish that beau
tiful ceremony of decorating the soldiers
grave, SO that now Memorial day has
become one ofour principle national days.
The movement to have the stars and
stripes floating over each school house
in the land originatsd with members of
the order. Right grandly have the Sons
Of Veterans taken up this work of pro-
noting patriotism in our countrvmen.
and to them we must bequeath the task.
Comrades the other great sosieties of
the country aFs self pernstnating. They
are constantly being recruited from the
ranks Of the Young men. Nor so with
the G. A. 3. il is limited and the limit of
its sxiatancs will sQ9n be reached. At
thencxt auapter centennial s~--
viii remain 49, Ircely 2 post
;. me now over 5000 and
put few Of the 400, 900 members. Shall
the principle, the perpetuity Of which it