Morris tribune., 1891-08-05

aSS1StduCS, 10 uldhS pIoNlShoil "itoAS ~
| is not already done for the support, care
and education of soldiers orr hans, and
| for the maintenance of the widows OF
deceased soldiers: for the protection
and assistance of disabled soldiers,
whether disabled by wounds, sickness,
old age or misfortune, and for the es-
| tablishment and defense of the late sol
diery of the United States, morally,
socially and politically, with, view to
| inculcate a proper appreciation OF their
services to their country. and recognl-
| ton of such services and claims by the
American people.
| Politics Relegated to the 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 1t was 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
| Soes not design to make nominations
for office, or to use its influence rs q
| secret organization for partisan pur-
poses." This was in 1863 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
ganization for partisan purposes, and
no discussion of partisan questions
shall be permitted at any of its meet
ings, nor shall any nomination for
political Office be made.
Has Done y Great Work.
The Grand Army has on it's rolls over
ho1S ~ lirriC uata
it is stronger than ever before. 1t has
used its influence to secure legislation
for the education and care of orphans of
dead comrades, for increased pensions,
and for homes for destitute and disabled
veterans to help them in their advanc-
ing years. 1t has removed from the ma
ton the disgrace of permitting men to
die and be buried as paupers III 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 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 privations of camp life to dis
tinguish him. 1t tincludes every nation
ality, every color. every creed. All who
fought for the Union on land or sea,
now meet beneath the one flag which
they protected so well when it 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. 1t was
organized at Decatur, Ills, on April 6,
1866. The founder of the order was DIR.
Benjamin F. Stephenson, who was SUP
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
beneficial results from his labors. He
died when the order was struggling
with adversely and political dissentions.
Up to 1871 the organization grew but
slowly, owing to its being regarded a
political and religious body. Gradually
healthy and rapid growth set in.
Kanan, and the first national comman-
der General Stephen A. Hurlbut. In
1866 the first post was organized in New
York city, the charts, being obtained
from Illinois. This post is the present
Phil Kearney Post No. s. The New
York department. was organized in 1867.
The first department commander was
Colonel J. B. Mexican, and the second
General Daniel E. Sickles.
Commanders in Chief.
The rank of commander-in-chief has
fallen upon many distinguished soldiers
since the Grand Army was organized.
Here is the list:
General S. A Hurlbut, Illinois, 1867.
General John A. Logan, Illinois, 1S6S-70.
General Ambrose Z. Burnside, Rhode
Island, 1879.
General Charles Devens, Jr., Massachu-
setts, 1874.
General John F. Hartranft, Pennsyl-
vania, 1856.
General John C. Robinson, New York,
1878.
Captain William Earnshaw, Ohio, 1879.
General Louis Wagner, Pennsylvania,
1880.
Major George S. Merrill, Massachusetts,
1881.
Sergeant Paul Van Der Voort, Ne
Colonel Robert P Beath, Pennsylvania,
1888.
Drummer Boy John S. Kountz, Ohio,
1884.
Captain S. S. Burdette, District of
Columbia, 1885:
General Lucius Fairchild, Wisconsin,
| 1885,
Major John P. Rea, Minnesota, 1887.
Major William Warner, Missouri, 1888.
General Russell A. Alger, Michigan,
1889.
Colonel Wheelock G. Veazey, Vermont,
1870.
Half a Million Members.
The order has grown until there are
1000 posts and nearly 100000 mem bers.
During the last year $3.50, 900 has been
expended in relieving comrades, eX-
soldiers and their families. Nearly
| 10000 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 for. 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 1870. 900 members, headed by
Mrs. Mary Sears McHenry, the national
president. The organization has
branches in every state in the union ex-
cept Alabama and in all the territories
but three.
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| 4 South Dakota Coal Find.
MINNEsELA, S. D., Aug. 3.-Much ex-
citement prevails here over the discovery
of 12-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