The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-31
SONS OF VETERANS.
News from The Various Divisions.
Elections of Officers, etc.
SO FAR, SO GOOD.
But the Mission OF the Sons is Not aIon. a Var.
like One.


like One.
EDrToE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I would Ike 70 saw
n few words through the columns Of your nanax
concerning the Sons. Ever since they became a
permanent organization they have received en-
enlargement They have received many eompIi-
mentary words not only from members OF the
GAR, but from public speakers In general and
through the columns Of the press. While all these
praises help US in the work wo have undertaken
yet there is something peculiar about all that has
been said Of US ever since have been considered
worthy of praise.
One paper. in speaking OF us some time ago.
SAID that with the 125, 600 Sons Of Veterans and
The National Guard, the United States 10 case of
war would be able in weeks time to have an
army sufficient to withstand the attack OF any
force"
President Harrison, In hig address At the GAR
Encamp'nent in Boston in 1880 said of VS.:
They are coming to take our place. The Nation
viii not be defenscless when we are gone
At the National Encampment c. 4. II. at Colunn-
bus, in 1893, Mrs. John A. Logan-thas woman
whom above all others the Sons Of Veterans love
and honoT-while looking at the :. OF V. parade
the evening before that Of the GAR said TO Gov
Foraker, who was at her side:
With the Sons of Veterans armed and drilled
have no further fear for the safety OF my ooun-
There are many other men and women pront
nent In our country's history and many other of
the leading newspapers, that have referred to US
in like complimentary language
but That which desire to speak Of concerning
these praises is that they all seem to think We are
organized principally for the purpose of defending
our country in case of war. In fact in nearly every
case. whenever we have been spoken of by .b.
public or press, this to be the leading i'm
preston OF us ne m organization of to-day But
such - not the case. While this f. one of them IL
Is not the principal one If should become neces
sary, the Sons of Veterans would defend our coun
Try rs their fathers did in the days OF '6i But ~
war should not come, what then are we 10 dor
Can we do nothing else for our country's sake7
Looking at our country as 1t is to-day with some
Of our pal offices in the hands of Doodle poll
ticians with large numbers Of foreigners annually
landing on our shores the principles for which our
fathers fought scorned by capital can we not see
nober work before us?
Looking at all this. must we spend our time in
idlcness. as it were, and wait for war; shaII wa
watch the foreign element becoming more and
more controlling power and yet wait for swords
to be crossed before we can take handf Shall
we see the old flag dishonored and insnl,ed and
yet wait FOR a chance to defend it in open conflict
Snail we close our eyes and ears 10 all this and
wait for the time to co ne when we can shsd ouR
blood upon the field of battle?
No, we must not stop here. There Is n greater
work for as to do than this. The time Is OF course
not far distant when the G. A. r. will pass away "A
an element of influence. We must then bs ready 10
take their place in peace well as war; emuss
be ready TO buckle on their as an influential
body to keep burning the fires of patriotism. IL Ii
through the influence of the G. A r. that pension
laws are passed. Ii IL through the influence of the
members OF the GAR. as philosophical citizens
that all our public demonstrations are made for
the old soldiers and monuments erected TO the
heroic dead. In fact, everything that has been
done in this country since the war either by Com
gress or otherwise, that tends to keep alive pstri.
otism, has been due to the influence of the g. Ar
If this be the case. it be imagined what would
take place if this influence should pass away? Can
" not then be plainly seen where duty liesf
We must, then be ready for this rather than pre-
pare for that will not come we must be
ready to take the places of our fathers si,izeps
to see that patriotic public Institutions and
the monuments Of our heroes shall not erumbie TO
dust. We must prepare ourselves to take their
places as body to keep down this evil-eyed mon
sier-the foreign element. We must prepare OUT,
selves to take their place Americans TO see THAI
this Nation SILL retains the title of a country Of
free speech. free press and pure and free ballot
c. E. ELLSWORTH, Mastering Officer, Illinois d.
vision, Danville, Ill.