The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-10-17
COMRADES OF THE GAR
An Interesting Letter from Past Chaplain
in-Chief Bagerty.

An Interesting Letter from Past Chaplain
in-Chief Bagerty.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: What body OF
men in this Nation should feel so proud of their
position as the comrades of the Grand Army oi
the Republic, not simply from their past attain
ments, but from their present position?
They enlisted at the call Of one Of the great
est men of the world, the immortal Abraham
Lincoln, whose fame will increase as the GEN.
turtles go by. Having enlisted, they were
placed under the military leadership of the
greatest commanders of armies on earth. They
went forth to the field TO sustain the best Con-
stitution ever formed for National guidance
and 10 preserve the life of the most glorious Ma
ton thus far formed among the family OF Ma
tiOns.
Thus they went forth hopeful, but moi
knowing what would be the result. Fer iouI
long years Of bloody war they struggled, fought,
bled, aud died that the country might live.
God gave the victory and Old Glory fosted out
10 the breeze 10 trail no more.
The Constitution was sustained and the coun-
try was preserved TO become the greatest Ma.
tion on earth. The veteran can now say, 81
helped 10 do this j stood in the breach and
the Nation was preserved"
The AntheDian and Spartan veterans had
that over which they could glory, but their ac-
complishments were but as moehills beside
The star OF Grecian victories will shine in the
Ornament OF human achievements. but the sun
OF American glory will shine with increasing
gplendOr as the ages roll on.
This Is not all. Soldiers of the past were er-
pected TO elut their evil passions in the
unholy excuses Of army life. This was a part
OF their reward. The q "A. T. soldier had a con.
science as well as a sword He would not vio-
late the one nor disgrace the other He WAS
man az well az soldier AS long as virtue is re.
garded he will be bOnored.
The war over, the GAR. hurried homs
and was soon lost among the busy ones, labor.
ing most industriousy TO repair the TaVages Of
war and TO build up the exhausted resources oil
the Nation. During these score and half OF
busy years no one has been more iudustrion'
than the "old soldier" in lsbOrs 10 build VI
again the wastinps Of fratricidal war.
grateful Nation and patriotic people honor
the veteran. The dead are gathered in Ma
tional Cemeteries, where shady bowers and
Towering shrubs beautify the spot Of theil
quiet sumbors The aged aud in6rm arr
placed ia Homes, where they spend the quie
sunset Of an honorable life. Others, unable u
labor for bread, are pensoned, and quarterl,
the Decdful is placed in their hands. Others o
sound bodies are IN positions Of trust and homo
among their fellow-citzens and most couspicu
Que Of all.
What Nation has so honored its veterans
What people regard their Nations defenders a
CO The American people2 Now, comrades per
init me to suggest that we have responsibilities
arising from these many hOnOrs and benefits
We should never permit the honor OF the pas
70 be sullied by any indiscretons on our part
Many brave man in years gone by has fallel
into Iooseness Of conduct, and, by acts of dissi
patton and crime has become criminal an,
suffered as public malefactor. The sun O
his glory has become Swallowed by the murk,
CLOUDS OF deepest shame.
This should not be so with the Carl lie
ne, therefore, encourage each other IN all tba
Is manly as well rs patriotic, and thus adj
brighter giories TO those of the past. j hop
ali Chaplans will strive TO the best of thei
ability 10 lead the comrades on in this path wa
OF increasing glory, so that the life of eac
eomrade may close unclouded.
L. ii. HAGERTY, Past Cbaplain-in. Chic
st. Louis, Mo.