The National tribune., 1891-03-26
NATIONAL MEMORIAL HALL
What it Means TO the GAR. aud How II VIII be
IrIrlAl

On the 9th OF April OF this year viii be the
celebration Of the 18th anniversary Of the birth
of the Grand Army Of the Repgbiic. To-day
the organization numbers over 1000 Posts aud
nearly half "A million members. As the years
20 by the members will disappear aud the Posts
drop ont, 50 that in - years the Order will DO
but remnant Every cOmrade must therefore
look with interest on the proposition 10 cslab-
fish National Memorial of the Order, ia aud
by which It's glorious history aud record may
be preserved for all time.
The project Of building \ National Memorial
Hall al ID catur H. the place where the first
Post was organized, WAS strongly presented %
the National EucampmcnJ az Boston and 10
was finally decided that the Eucampmcut could
not undertake the enterprise, but that a COM
mittee might be authorized which would solicit
contributions from the Posts In accordance
with this the following committees have been
constituted, aud they have issued in nea.
pamphlet an address 10 the comrades, setting
forth the details Of the project: National Com
mittce-R ]. Ogle,by, Chairman. Illinois;
George A. Maricn, Lowell AIass: Joseph w.
O'Neall. Lebanon, o. Local Committee-Jnsiah
VI. Cl0lcy, Chairman, Decatur. H.; NJ. r.
kanan, Frank J.. Hays w. g. Johns; Geo. K.
Steele Secretary.
The chosen committee assembled in Decatur.
Jan. II, 1891, aud ia conference with the officers
OF the Department IF Illinois and a committee
Of Durham Post the reorgauized original first
Post of the Grand Army, arrangements for
ihc formation Of a corporation under the laws
If Illinois have been made. This corporation
is la a sense, 10 represent tho Order through
the several Departments and the National En-
caiapmcut and will be legally authorized 10
hold property and care for Whatever may be
entrusted % IL.
Now, the character and extent Of tho build
ing 10 be erected under the authority Of this
committee must be determined bv the liber-
atty 81 the members Of the Grand Army.
IL is suggested by tho committee that the
most feasible way ia which 70 secure the de-
sired contributions viii be for each Post he.
tween now aud the date Of the silver anuiver-
slTy 10 make a strenuous effort 10 secure a
contribution amounting i'm the aggregate 10 al
least "a hal-dUilar for each cOmrale borne on its
rolls, and that the money be transmitted TO tho
treasurer Of the corporation 10 be established
ia Illinois 10 be used for the purpo es for which
IL Is established Aud the committee venture
to earnestly request Department Commanders
Of the several Departments 10 DO all in their
power 10 encourage tho Posts under their CON-
maud TO make the collection referred 10
promptly, 50 that 40 the coming celebration 1t
Decatur tho success Oi the enterprise may DO
assured.
Mai Frank L. Hays, Of Decatur. has been
appointed trustee of the Memorial Hall funds,
aud has filed his bond ia tho sum OF 100000,
approved By WIN. J.. Distin, Commander De
paTtment Of Illinois. All remitiauces should
bic made to Trustee Hays by draft, postolicc
order, or express.
What more appropriate recognition OF the
quarto-ccntennial than for the Posts All over
tue country 10 make their Offering for this
National Mcmorial The national TRIB-
UNE seconds the call OF the committee, and
urges the Posts 10 make this contribution their
witness Of thor attachment 10 the Order aud
TO the principles Of Fraternity, Charity, aud
Loyalty.