The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-07-06
THE DUTY OF SONS.
The Veterans Descendants Should Advance
the Work of the Order.

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the Work of the order.
EDITOR NATroNAL TRIBUNE: This article
Is addressed to Sons of Veterans everywhere,
but especially to those of kentucky. The first
thought to which / would call attention is that
it is the duty Of this organization Sons Of
Veterans) to increase in numbers in the pro-
portion in which the veterans themselves d.
minish in numbers. As one decreases the
other should increase at least in the same pro-
portion.
Is this the case in the different States2 Alas,
fear not. There are special reasons why ex-
ira efforts should be put forth to build up this
organization in Kentucky and other States
south of Mason and Dixon's line.
Kentucky is Southern State, subject to the
peculiar influences and drawbacks that char
acterize such work in all the South.
Another reason for increased zeal and work
lies in the fact that there is new era before
this State, bright and promising future COM
mercially politically and in every other sense.
Some nay deny this, but the wisest can see its
coming. It is necessary. therefore, that those
principles for which our fathers fought should
be developed and maintained, should keep step
with the advance and development of the State
ITSELF
A third reason Is simply the past history of
Kentucky. 1t is shame that the sons should
be SO Indifferent to-day, when one thinks of the
worth aud patience and fortitude and galantry
OF tpOse men who were true to the Union dur
ing the rebellionl Out of this State came two
men who exercised more influence upon the
destiny of the Republic than, perhaps, any
other two-Abraham Lincoln and jefferson
Davis. And there ought to be encouragement
for zeal, at this very day. to the Sons in the
simple fact that the policy of Abraham Lincoln
triumphed over that Of Jefferson Davis and
held Kentucky within the Union.
A second thought is this: In the hands of
the Sous of Veterans particularly lie the ad-
Vocacy and preservation of those greatest of all
truths, National Unity and Human Freedom.
1t is true that the coming generation is in
stTucted as to these truths in a general sort of
way; but it falls to the Sons of Veterans to do
this work no others can do it. They are the
living testimonials OF that Titanic struggle
out of which emerged the redeemed Republic.
No one may rob the Republic of these her
jewels. You have an individuality all your
own, and nothing eau destroy it. When you
too shall have passed away there shall remain
your children, and your children's children,
and the Nation will still speak of them as the
"ehidren of the veteran"
There is-as the years go and the days of
166l-65 recede-an apparently growing indif-
ference, in certain classes, TO the sacrifice, the
self-abnegation, the precious blood and noble
lives spent for the Republic; indifference to
the awful sacrifice laid upon the altar by the
priests of liberty. The trend of thought and
feeling ought to be in the other direction Free
from wars-prosperous, devoted to the pursuit
of the Almighty Dollar-men are prone to be-
come impatient in the presence of debts that
are not written absolutely in black white.
More's the shame that they see not the letters
of the redeemed Republic written in red hearts
blood
But many do not or will not.
Now, then, the sons of these men are the
heritage of the Nation, bequeathed by the
years 1861 and 1865. Negatively. the descend
ants of the boys of '61 " will ever be- in them
selves n potenta affirmation of the doctrines of
National unity and human freedom in North
America. Positively, they will represent these
blessed truths in so far as by organization in
struetion, example, and enthusiastic devotion
they seek to perpetuate all that their fathers
strove to defend and to place upon a sure foun-
dation. Their work will supply one of the
most essential factors in our National develop
ment. in srousng, stimulating, and extending
the National patriotic spirit. None may do
this as the Sons of Veterans can do it.
The mission of the veterans son, what is
that? Remember the veteran himself will
soon, alas. too soon, be gone. That mission
should be to teach, to illustrate, to verify, to
still defend, to unfold, to extol, to glorify in
song and sonnet, in verse and prose, the deeds,
the heroism, the sacrifices, and trumpbs of his
fathers, and the final restoration TO loyalty Of
his fathers and his country's foes. Our youth
is passing swiftly, comrades; youth once alone.
and only one youth, is ours. While the flush
and fire of it are ours, let US cause the sacred
truth and tender memories of the living past
to bear their fruitage in the stirring present
and in the even more promising future.-Rev.
E. III. MCMILLEN.