The National tribune., 1896-09-17

conditions with which the country had been
burdened. This depression has not only con-
tinued but has grown even more burdcnsome
the past year than ever before. Notwithstand-
ing that fact and all it signifies to an order of
young men of limited means. VIC are pleased to
report that the Order generally is in healthy
condition. The reports for the successive
quarters ending June 80, 1896, show gain of
456 members, which, though small, is yet q
gain.
Sixteen Divisions show gains for the year
the greatest of these being Pennsylvania, with
319; Vermont, with 29i Maine, with 27s;
South Dakota, with 252: Missouri, with 245;
ington, with l03. and Kansas, with l02, the
others ranging from e6 in Connecticut TO Ia in
West Virginia. Thirteen Divisions show losses
ranging from eight in New Hampshire TO COZ
in Ohm, five cigbths of the aggregate loss being
in Indiana and Ohia
Out of the experiences OF those who have
been successful in building up our Order in
the exchange OF the views Of each and in the
consideration OF the various plans of those who
have had experience in active Division work,
much good might resnit. Those who are conl-
paratively new in official position might thus
gain new ideas and theories that, put into
practice. wonld result in an increased interest
and an added membership. With this in mind
j suggested to the local committee to provide
for a conference of Division Commanders and
all others interested in tho welfare0f enr Order
| A session Of the Encampnent might, with
1 profit, Le devoted to discussion of this char
acter. but in any event a cnnference should be
| held at some time during this Encampment to
discuss the important work that lies before U.S.
and the conditions that confront Us.
PATRIOTISM.
Our Order is founded almost wholly on the
sentiment of patriotism. Patriotism is y funda.
nj nj in acfi in Cf
or apparent danger. latent in time Of tranquil
| lity- When over $500 Oo0 of loyal msn went
out under the Gag to sacrifice their lives, even,
If necessary. for their country. patriotism was
| at higher tide than now. In the early his
tory of our Order the hearts of our soldier
heroes were yet stirred with the visions of war
through which they had passed. This feeling
| was cultivated in their sons. brothers.
| Patriotism then was active. 1t was alert.
| Then q, lob were mustered into our Order in
q single year. Aside from general prosperity,
| which would contribute in large measure to
| increase our membership, tho way to secure an
| increased prosperity to organization, the
way TO add to our own devotion to the princi-
pies esponse. is. by every legitimate means
| we know. to stir into activity the patriotism
that slumbers in every heart. There is as
much need for active patriotism now as there
has been at any period in our history.
Let us continue To talk OF and carry ont the
in onr power, let US inculcate patriotism among
our people, for by so doing we become our
conntry's defense and lay too, the foundation
OF our own growth and power. By thus doing
ours will become the greatest patriotic Order
| of our land.
PLACE OF MEETING.
have long been impressed with the desira-
| bility of the Commandery-in- Chief meeting at
the same time and plnce AS the Grand Army of
tho Republic. I know this has not been. and
may not be now. popular with the Com
| mandcry in Chief. Now may not be tho time,
but the time will come when the Grand Army
and the Sons of Veterans will meet together.
The reasons that have been urged against such
| q plan are two:
First. That because of the great number of
people who usually attend the National meet
ings OF the Grand Army the membership OF our
Encampments would be SCARCELY noticed-in-
deed. that ws would be very small factor in
. very large gathering.
Second. That because OF the great rumber of
people attending ths Encamrznanls satisfactory
hotel accommodations would be impossible 70