The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-05-01
Fur THE GRAND ARMY.
C0MRADESHIP.
What IL Being Done by the Veterans for
the Good Of the Order.

None but those who have entered tho hall
Of well-reguated Post know the great value
Of the organization, not only to the veterans
themselves, but also to the public. First, to
the comrade himself II he were not blessed
With these associations, would II be any won.
der II many OF the $4,000 old veterans, foi
lack OF entertainment, would rush of into
the errors Of uugodly associations. as sol
diers OF old wars have been used to do?
In doing thus they would be a scourre to
the country they helped to save. As 1t is
now, the old veteran betakes himself to the
Post, and there, In the most entertaining
company, he spends the evening with men
whom he met on the bloody field, but now,
like himself, are enjoying the bliss OF living
peacefully under tue flag for which lie fought.
lie goes TO his home a newly-insplrited man,
resolved to live and do nobly.
Sickness comes and prostrates the man Of
iron nerve, and he Is reported TO his Post,
and comrade after comrade comes to see
him, cheers him In his distress, aids him II In
need and bonds Of friendship formed on
battlefelds are now strengthened and rem
dered more helpful than ever. When death
comes and closes up the campaign, the living
comrades gently lay the "warrior" down to
his peaceful rest
Ransom Post, OF st. Louis, Mo-, has had
more sickness and death among It's members
since January l, 1895. than II has In any
period since Its existence Ia the same time.
Many very beautiful exhibitions Of fraternal
feeling have been sho sn during these scenes
| Of sickness and death. BY vote the chap
lain was instructed to carry flowers weekly
| to the sick comrades, and give them In the
name OF the Post As I handed the floral
Offering, could see the trembling OF the lip,
the glistentng OF the tear in the eye, and heard
the sentence spoken 10 deep emotion. "Give
the Post my thanks"
The men who have such bonds OF love an d
affection binding their hearts together must
be the stronger and better. No class Of men
can enjoy these courtesies more than old
soldiers, No class on earth are bound by
| stronger bonds than the veterans OF the late
war; Their bonds were welded In the fires
OF the hottest battles. Other bonds OF fellow.
ship are often simply those Of conventional
character, formed between men OF no otheI
common tie. But veterans have all "beer
there" and have common feeling thai
means much. The last funeral OF Ransom
Post was one OF peculiar solemnity and pa
thetlo Impulses. II was beautiful Sabbath
evening, an IMPRESSIVE church service was
held by the pastor OF the deceased comrade
when all repaired to the silent hillside wher,
the open grave awaited the reception OF the
body dressed In blue, beneath the Stars aud
Stripes.
The ritual was beautifully rendered amlt
songs OF sweet voices The last emblems o
| hucctiOu were uepOsiteu, tuo grave WuS ulicu
and the silent beholders stood as II reluctan
to leave the sacred spot. Hard as these scene
among men are, yet they have beneficial
effect on the living. A iovial comrade said a
we turned away; well, that was buria
good enough for king. II I can have such
one will be satisfied" Where is the maj
who will notturn away from such scenes will
the resolve: II will try to live BETTER
These thousands OF O. A. II. funeral ser
Vices will have their effect on the living com
rades. IS we'll as upon the putlic. / have
seen many old soldiers who had gone beyond
the day OF application for membership, who
said: wish had joined the Post. II ge
well I will" But few II any fully compre
hend the great good accomplished by the O.
A. r. organization. Would that every old
veteran fully appreciated this great privilege
and that then every one would live worthy
OF the position after "mustering." May
now speak to the comrades and say; "Righ
dress, front, steadyr' 1 hope they will do so
I. H. HAoERrY, st. Louis. Mo.