The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-11-05
THE SONS OF VETERANS.


We know of no better thing for any
young man to do this Winter than to
become an active member Of a Camp OF
Sons of Veterans. IF he will go in
earnestly and conscientiously there will
be a great many most positive advan-
tages for him.
He will get an education and dis
cipline that will be of signal advantage
to him in after life, no matter what walk
he may choose. This country is, getting
so big that everything must be done by
cooperation, and there is no better
school in which to learn the first lessons
in this than in Camp of Sons of Vet
Grams. He will find there a body Of
young men united for certain well-un-
derstood purposes How to further
those purposes is matter of deepest
interest to them, and they will discuss
and try methods in way that will be
very instructive and valuable to him.
He will learn important lessons that will
greatly help to success in other walks OF
life.
Then, the mere association with other
young men in such an Order will I'M
prove him much. The objects of the
Order are high, manly and patriotic.
They are constantly before the eyes Of
the members He will see these objects
approached and defined by men of the
most diverse thought and mental char
acteristics, which cannot help widening
and expanding his own thoughts.
He will form intimate associations and
friendships with activey vigorous-minded
young men, the vaitulse, Of which will last
q
through life. He will iget to know and
appreciate them thoroughly. and they
Will get to know anti appreciate him as
we'll. o','n
We urge upon everysson of a veteran
who is not now member of the Order
to Immediately considenhis uniting him
self With it. IF there is no Camp in his
immediate vicinity let him consult with
other sons of veterans about forming one.
We are in favor Of small Camps made
up of entirely congenial members, and
Of starting slowly. If there are 100
SONS Of veterans in one neighborhood
they probably divide into groups of not
more than 20 or % each, on the grounds
of community of tastes, occupations, So
cial affiliations, etc. Let the Camps be
organized with some respect to these
lines. The Order is big enough for all
of these, just as the army was big enough
for all, and just as the Masons, the Odd
Fellows, and the different churches are
big enough for all. 1t may be better to
make up one Camp mainly of me-
chanics, another of farmers, another of
clerks or professional men, and SO on.
This is frequently the case with other
Orders. It does not initiate in the least
against the general equality and fra
ternity. 1t merely sorts men out as
they naturally sort themselves out, and
puts them where they will feel most at
home. The different Camps come to-
gether as the different lodges do, upon
the broad plane of the Order, with no
thought of superiority by anyone, and
only emulation as to which shall show
itself the best exponent of the great
principles of the Order.
BY starting with small number OF
members and growing slowly and care
fully the future is secured. Too many
Camps have been wrecked by rushing
the membership. To be pleasant and
profitable association a Camp should
only take in men whom it is likely will
grow into agreeable and valuable asso
ciates of the others.auTo make the Order
really power the Camps must be solidly
united by the ties of comradeship in es
sential things. They are like clubs
where the members are all PERSONAL,
agreeable to one another.
Above all things, whom Camp is onc'
started do not let it go down. 1t cal
be kept up and should tbe, at any effort
There are always some troubles in ever,
new organization. Zach one has it
-. TN Z. nS. II