The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-01-23
THE SONS OF VETERANS,
Tho Origin Of tho Order and It's Patriot
Work EloauentlY Told.

thc u tub olubT nlu It's
Work Eloquentiy Told.
Following are the main points OF an
address delivered by DR.. H. B. Baguley
at tho recent eighth anniversary OF tho
Women's Relief Corps No. /, Of Holiday
Post, G. A. R., in this city, The doctor
spoke on behalf OF the Sons OF Veterans,
and his remarks are published at the re-
quest oil the ladies OF tho corps. He
spoke in part as follows:
No doubt the first idea OF the organ
ization Of the Sons of Veterans grew out
of the cadet CORDS that were associated
with some OF the posts OF the G. A. R.
at Philadelphia in 1877, but it was not
until 1881 that the order OF S.,N.. U. S.
A., with national pretentions was Or
ganized by Maj. a. P. Davis. a promi-
nent comrade Of tho G. A. R Of Pitts
burgh, Pa.
Inc charter for the first camp was
granted by tho commonwealth OF Penn
sylvania, and irom this camp there has
radiated m influence which has ex-
tended throughout the length and
breadth Of our land from Mnine to
California, from Alaska and British
Columbia to the Gulf OF Mexico. Our
tree has grown to such massive proper.
tons that its branches arc to be found
in thirty-one states. five territories and
the District Of Columbia; to-day We
number over $4,000 members.
The several component bodies OF the
order are: First, local organizations,
known US camps. Second, stats organ.
izations, known as divisions. Third,
the national organization, known as the
commandery-in-chief.
he order is military in its character
and ceremonial work, and is oilicered in
accordance with army regulations.
Camps maintain the same order and
work as companies, divisions correspond
to regiments and the commandery-in-
chief to the army.
Our principles arc: Affirm belief and
trust in Almighty God, and recogni-
ton OF His beniiicent guidance in the
preservation OF the life and integrity OF
the nation. True allegiance to tho gov
eminent OF tho United States of Amer
lea, respect for and fidelity to its con.
,stitutional laws, and opposition to any
system or power that tends TO. in any
manner, impair the efficiency and per-
manency OF our national union.
Our objects are to keep green the
memories OF our fathers and their sacri-
fees to maintain.the union, and to pro-
mote their interests and welfare as OPP
portunity may offer or necessity de-
mand; to aid and assist in caring for
their helpless aud disabled veterans; to
extend aid and protection to their
widows and orphans; to perpetuate the
memory Of their, heroic dead, and the
proper observance OF Memorial Day; to
aid and assist worthy and needy mem.'
bers OF our order; to inculcate patriot
ism and love OF country, not only
among our own membership, but
among all the people OF our land, and
to spread and sustain tho doctrine OF
equal rights, universal liberty and JUS
tice to all.
Tho order is neither political or soc.
tartan, and tho introduction or discus-
sion OF such topics in any OF our organi-
cations is strictly prohibited.
We have builded upon the ifounda-
tions OF friendship, charity and loyalty,
and aim to make our work practical by
devoting our best energies TO the wei
fare and happiness OF the men who
fought and blcd that We might enjoy
life, liberty, and the pursuits Of happi-
moss in land OF freedom, where equal
rights and equal justice are guaranteed
to ALL
Daily tho veterans OF '61 and '65 are
answering the last call P; one.by ono they
are crossing the pontoon bridge TO the
other shore to join their comrades
who have gone before them. In q
few wears their ranks will be SO thinned
that there will be but few left to keep
green the memories OF their heroic
deeds. The sons OF these men now step
forward with desire to preserve those
memories, and that the country thoy
saved may be transmitted TO future gen-
erations under the same glorious flag
I an glad to meet with you tonight,
representing rs you do the grandest or
eanization in this, the grandest country
OF the universe. -
Tho man who lives for, fights for and
die, for his country is the noblest man
that ever lived on earth. Our fathers
did oil these. gsi,s
Wo have IN inheritance OF honor
moro precious than riches, more honor.
able than rank; tho possession OF 1t will
necessarily make young mon who have
it good citizens, good fathers, good
nelghbors and good men.
i am not here tonight to take up
your time in attempting to perpetrate a
speech, for rs / said before my time was
so occupied I did not have time to pre-
pare one, and l plead guilty that / can
not make any, other kind. 35t I.
ID r ~, alwavs Glad to be yith,you, for