The National tribune., 1895-10-03
LET US GO TO WORK.

an epoch-making one.
There was much about it to indicat
that it opened new and greater era 70
the Grand Army of the Republic.
Its enthusiastic reception by the pee
pie Of the Border City of Louisville, fol
lowed by similar ones to the masses o
comrades in uniform, and travelin,
avowedly as Grand Army men, at Chat
tanooga, Atlanta and elsewhere in tn,
interior of the late so-called Southern
Confederacy, show conclusively that tht
Order is at last recognized everywhere
as National to the fullest extent, and
representative of the loyalty which j:
the religion of every true American.
This is a recognition which we have
always eminently deserved, and which
we have always struggled for. Extend
ing it to us is as much a benefit to the
country as it is a source of just pride to
us Nothing makes more strongly for
law-abiding and the permanency Of our
institutions than the union of the whole
people in honoring the men whose bond
of organization is that they stood reso-
lutely together through bloody war in
support Of the law and our institutions.
We care very much less that they honor
us as individuals than that they should
honor the Order to which we belong, and
which stands pre-eminently for Loyalty,
answering obedience to Law, and the
highest Americanism.
Now let us mark this epoch ourselves
by universal and enthusiastic interest
in our grand Order. Let us resolve to
begin at once Jealous efforts to build it
up to the highest numbers and efficiency.
There are hundreds of thousands Of good
comrades still outside the GAR. who
should be in it. Frequently it is their
fault that they are still out; frequently
it is the fault of the Posts to which they
should belong. In either event the
reasons why they have not joined are of
little importance, and can be readily dis
posed Of by little proper effort.
We have now splendid Commander
in-Chief, and equally good subordinate
officers. They are all superbly- repre-
sentative comrades. Our Commander
in-Chief fought through the entire war,
was prisoner of war, and is one of the
foremost citizens Of the great and pro-
gressive State of Indiana. Our Senior
Vice Commander-in-Chie is a splendid
type Of the loyal Southerners, who, amid
all manner of discouragements. stood
firmly for the Government in the evil
hour, and fought lis cause through to
victory. Our Junior Vice Commander
in-Chief is fine representative Of the
young soldiers who, at the conclusion of
the war, thronged to the Indian haunted
wilds of the Far West and have trans
formed them to magnificent empire of
the Old Flag. All the other officials
are Of the same character.
We ought to increase the membership
Of the GAR. by at least 100000 dur
ing the year Of COMMANDMENTS Chief
Walkers administration. We can do
it if we viii all unite in making the
pIOttI tHOII. lUSIe are over f,DUU
Posts in good standing in the GAR.
A total increase of 100000 means a net
average increase Of only Is to each Post,
or little over one month. This can
be easily secured, and this year easier
than for several years past. The hard
times are over, and men are looking for
ward to the future with increased hope
and confidence. Things look brighter
everywhere. The dissensions which
divided comrades in some localities are
now happily dead and buried. All can
joyfully unite upon the grand, broad
platform of a glorious work bravely
done for the grandest country in the
world, and the magnificent fruits of
which smile approvingly at us from
every part of the Nation.
Let every comrade take this matter
to heart, and asked himself what he
can do to help build up the membership of
the Order. 1t is something that should