Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-29

army, and at the outset he was cordially
assisted in the development of his idea by
the chaplain in the same regiment, w. J.
Ruttledge. In the spring of 1866 these two
men met at Springfield, ILL.,, and consulted
as to the plans for carrying out their prof
ect. In the meantime DR.. Stephen
son had endeavored to interest in the
scheme all of his former associates whom he
was able to meet, had procured copies of the
ritual of other military organizations al
ready formed and had outlined ritual for
the new order. .,
Bv the merest accident in the world the
first post, instead of being organized in
Springfield, where the projectors had met,
was started in Decatur, Ill. The new ritual
of the order, which was to be secret, was
sent to the Tribune office in the latter city
to be printed, for the reason that the
printers engaged upon the paper were vet
Grams of the Union Army, and the work
could be more safely intrusted to them.
The idea of the organization was so attrac-
tive to these printers tnat dozen OF
them on April 6, 1866, organized a
post at Decatur called sPost 1, District of
Macon, Department of Illinois. Grand Army
of the Republic" Dr. Stephenson's name,
by slight and permissive fiction, appears
on the official records as Commander in
Chief of the department. DR.. Stephenson
was born in Illinois in 1892, served as sur
geon of the Fourteenth Illinois regiment
from April Z, 1862, to June "a, 1864 He
died at Rocky Creek, August 30, 1871.
A Memorial Hall for Decatur.
Two wears ago at the national encamp-
ment of the Grand Army of the Republic it
was resolved to establish at the city of De-
catur, in recognition of its being the birth
place of the order, Soldiers't National
Memorial Hall, in which it is proposed to
store and preserve the official records of the
encampments, departments and posts, and
the trophies of the war which belong to Or
ganizations and individuals. Originally it
was intended that the fund for the erection
and endowment of this structure sho uld be
raised by increasing the annual dues of the
members % cents per annum for three years;
but committee appointed to consider the
subject was opposed to this scheme and sug-
gested voluntary subscriptions for the
erection OF the building. ,.,
In the early days of our organization
there were not only posts, National and
State departments, but district and county
organizations with separate officers for each
division. The ritual was very long and
wearisome Instead of all members being
called, and standing on the simple footing
of Comrades military titles were pre-
aud there were Generals, Colonels,
ETC. Later on the district and county divi-
sions were dropped, the ritual was simpli-
fed and members were. not recognized
by their military titles. An illus
tration of the democratic spirit
which now prevails in the order occurred at
our National Encarnpment in Boston, two
years ago. General Alger, the Commander
in-Chief, after the opening prayer of the
first days proceedings noticed General
Sherman in the audience, and said that 1t
was the wish of every comrade present that
Comrade General Sherman should come to
the platform. t.--
O!d Tecumseh's Democratic Ideas.
Sherman said: "Wil1 you grant me the
privilege of remaining where l am, with
my own delegation?" to which the Com
Chief responded: "Your wish is
my order, though we prefer you should
come to the stand"
1t is interesting to note the original
declaration OF principles of the g. A. X.
This declaration bound its members to the
of kind and fraternal feelings;
encouraged them to works of kindness, and
the giving of material aid and assistance to
those in need; made provision for the sup.
port, education and care of soldiers
orphans, and the maintenance of widows OF
deceased soldiers; gave protection and
assistance to disabled soldiers, and en-
couraged allegianc, to the United States
and the protection and defense Of its
soldiery, morally, socially and politically.
Posts were rapidly organized in the diff
ferent States as follows: Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, Kansas,