The National tribune., 1894-06-07
OLD ARMY cHApLA1Ss' ASSOCIATION.

OLD ARMY CHAPLAINs' ASSOCIATION.
In 1890, as Department Chaplain of Missouri,
l called a Convention of Old Army Chsplains,
to meet at the time of our Department En-
campment. We met and organized an associa-
ton, and resolved 10 call National one, to
meet in Detroit, the next Fall. According to
that call a meeting was held and an orgsnizs-
tioD effected, which has been meeting annually
and reporting to the National Encampment as
can be seen by the yearly reports since. The
object of this association is to keep in touch
with the boys who were at the front, and help
them as best we can to keep honorable a life
they had so made by the heroism of the past.
Though mustered out Of service of the Gov
eminent, we did not feel that we were morally
freed from obligation to the heroic defenders
Of our country, and would not be if we could.
Hence we banded together. the better to help
where we could. We are free to say that we
have not met the large accessions we had expect
ed, though we have never met an old Chaplain
who was not heart and soul in harmony with
US. Why not the large numbers therefore?
Where are the old Chaplains? Gone An
swered to the last roll call! Think moment.
Most Of these men were old men when the war
began, and they have therefore followed most
OF the old commanders. There are but few
left. Look around you. How many do you
know? supposed / knew many till / actually
the true state of the case. 1t has been pro-
posed since to so modify the conditions of
membership as to admit Post Chaplains.
This feature is now being discussed, and
will doubtless be brought before both or
CARNATIONS at the Encampment at Pittsburg
next September There is nothing see in the
way of the consolidation of the two organize
tions, if the Post Chaplains are only all in har-
mony with the moral and religious purposes of
the Army Chaplains. As a rule they were all
Ministers OF the Gospel, and were at least pro-
fessedly devoted to the souls interests of the
men as well as the temporal welfare. This /
hope may be successfully harmonized in, and
that all may most zealously labor together for
one common end. As one of the Old Army
Cbaplains of Grant and Sherman, desire most
srdently to see the boys through the campaign,
and do not want to see one of them fall out by
the way. Stragglers in the army were sometimes
surprised and captured. Now, though we do
not answer daily rel call, / would be glad to
be assured that none of our men ever struggled
or were reported as missing. IL is to avoid this
we are banded together in our Old Army Chap
lsins' Association. We hope to do some good,
as we did in the days of camp life.-T. Fl.
HAGERTY, President National Association of
Old Army and Navy Chaplains, st. Louis, No.
FROM THE PRESIDENT.
We say by all means let US get into the same
harness. Let us unite our efforts for the GAR.
and the comrades. The o. A. Chsplain's organ
ization did not include GAR. Chaplains The
association of the latter was born of desire to
more effectively aid the G. R., and help NOR
ally and religiously the veterans. 1t was made
very broad, so as to include not only GAR
Chaplains, but those who served SO Chaplaius
in the civil war. The article in the Constitu-
tion on membership is as follows:
"lts members shall be composed of all GAR.
Chaplains, past and present, and all who have
served as Chaplains in the Army or Navy of
the United States, and will forward their name,
address, and fee of 25 cents to the Secretary"
/ propose that at our next annual meeting,
to be held at Pittsburg during the National
we change the name of the
GAR. Chaplains' Association to 1.-THE Old
Army, Navy, and GAR Chaplains' Associs-
tion, and that the present o. A. organization
merge into ours, which is intended to take in
all.
further suggest that Chaplain t. 81. Hagerty,
President of the o. A. organization, be elected
Chaplain-in- Chief, GAR. and then be made
President of the united association.
In many respects it would be better for the
Chief to hold the position Of Presi-
dent of the association also. This, of course,
depends entirely upon the person who is Chap
lain-in- Chief, whether he is in sympathy with
the work of the association or not. If he is
not interested in the objects of this associa-
take, if not disaster.
Chaplain Hagerty is jealous man, fully in
accord with, and deeply interested in, the
Chaplains' Association, hence would push its
work forward. For these reasons / would be
glad to see him elected Chaplain-in- Chief, and
then made President of our association.
What say you all to this?-D. R. Lowell,
President Chsplains' Association.
To THE COMRADES.
l. G L
Our fraternity is not a mere club, but q
Grand Army-a Nations pride.
We are not ashamed of our badge.
We love the old flag which we followed |
through hardship and fatigue, amidst whiz-
ling bullet and bursting SHE'LL on to glorious |
victory.
Silently and swiftly the years have been |
speeding on their course. The sword has slept |
N its scabbard and the white robed sentry of |
Peace has been standing guard over our en- |
'ampment. But that other warfare, which ends |
,nly with life, has gone forward. No flag of |
ruce ever flies between these opposing forces |
If the right and the wrong; and many of Us |
rave been in the very thickest of the fight.
Day by day the steady tramp of our men has !
zone forward, for they are marching in solid |
fray up to the boundary of life. Out from |
he dark thicket of the unseen the great sharp
hooter, Death keeps up his unceasing fire. 1t
8 no stray picket falling now and then; "along
ur thin files the death bolts deadly are show
red fast and fercer." The rafting volleys are
moving down our ranks. And there is no
discharge in that war;"
flushed by the solemn spectacle, the Nation
ilently watches our column move. They see
ur men advancing, single file, until Gods
Providence calls Haiti" The countersgn is
and those who know the Name
Which is above every name are recruited into
he grandest army ever organized.
rroAa in to- I'll, "a |
ou? Our Commander has said "He that is
ot with me is against me-" This admits of no
eutralitv. Shall we who faced and subdued
ebellion le ourselves indictable as rebels? for
we do not avow our loyalty to Christ we
hall be denied and acknowledgements
VURTs, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.