The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-10-19
THE SOLDIERS DECORATION.


 Military Insignia Peculiar to Many Warlike Nations-The Medals of Flu
 ropean Countries-Englands Famous
 Victoria Cross, Frances Legion of
 Honor, Germanys Iron Cross and
 Russia's Cross of St. Vladimir-Our
 Own Star of the Grand Army of the
 Republic-Origin and Purpose.
 England may well feel proud and boast of her military insignia, the Vic toria Cross, which is only conferred for conspicuous acts of bravery on the field of battle France confers her distinc- tive badges in the well-known form of the Legion of Honor, Germany is proud of her Iron Cross, which adds lustre to her military renoWn. Austria confers her Ancient Order of Maria Teresa. Russia distributes her Cross of St. Vladimir sparingly to her successful soldiers. Denmark has one of the most illustrious orders of chivalry the Order of the Elephant, which ranks even with that of the English Garter. Sweden has her Noble Order of the Seraph, founded in 1920 This order is limited to twenty-three natives and eight for eigners, Spain is truly proud of her Golden Fleece, which is, and has been, most sparingly conferred. Italy never fails to decorate her soldiers with her Military Medal of Merit. Portugal has the Tower and Sword very old order
 Turkey has her Medjidie and special
 Military Medal of Merit. Sardinia has a medal for distinguished conduct on the field and a special military decora- tion
 Leaving the well-trodden paths of civilization, Schamyl the great Circas-
 sian hero, desiring to remind his fol- lowers, established an order "The Sign of Courage" This was only accorded
 to those doing the most daring deeds of bravery and displaying exalted courage
 ill the cause of country. To win this
 distinction thousands had sacrificed | their lives, and the few brought to Flu
 rope were taken from the breasts of the slain, and can only now be found in the | private collection of the Emperor of Russia. This order was composed of three degrees, and the insignia was composed of engraved silver The first order was in the form of crescent, it's obverse a device of a saber, with the | inscription, This is the mark of the
 brave" Through this they must pass to the second, which was disk, and also contained d sabre, with the device,
 He who is thinking of the consequent ees is wanting in courage The third and highest was like the second, with a sabre and pistol, and the Arabic words: 4l,s, .l,5,, t1,1 IJot1 ces is wanting in bravery; be devoted
 and you shall be saved" From this one can perceive that every nation in | the world inculcates soldierly pride,
 recognized throughout the world as es- ] prit de corps
 By the distribution of special medals | and badges of honor in America we | have the star of the Grand Army Of the | Republic, an organization Of cltlzen
 soldiers who, at the call of the presi- dent of the United States, left their va- rious homes and occupations to engage | in the greatest struggle of modern | times-a contest unparalleled in the history of the world. This star will, | for many years to some, designate an organization which will be proud to ex- | tend the hand of fellowship to him who
 stood in the fiery furnace of the war. | To have stood in the ranks on either | side is a proud seal of manhood, ot which no man need be ashamed. This | star is the best evidence Of loyalty to | the free institutions of America. 1t Is also establishes a comradship which IS
 more beautifully expressed in the ritual | of the order-fra ternity, charity and 1 loyalty. 1 The design of the star is quite happy, being the familiar pointed star of heraldry. which was adopted by the I American congress as the star of the | Union. In the center of the obverse is
 the figure of the goddess of liberty. 1 on one side of her is soldier on the other sailor, clasping hands, beautl- 1 full symbol of fraternity. TWO little i children, sharing and receiving protec- l ton from the defenders of the nation, are an emblem of charity. On each | side of this group are a national nag and an eagle, which is a manifestation | of the loyalty, while an ax and bun 1 dle of rods represent the union. In the l points of the star you will find the in- | signia representing the several arms of | the naval and military services-a bu-
 gle for rif1emen, crossed cannon for ar | tillery, muskets for infantry, crossed 1 sabres for cavalry, and an anchor to represent the navy and marine service. l Over the central group are the words "Grand Army of the Republic" Under this "1S61; veteran 1S66." Commemora-
 ting the beginning and end of the war, it also bears the date of the organiza- 1 tion of the order.
 | The reverse of the star has each point filled with spray of laurel, the center forms an American shield proper, and radating thereform are the twenty two recognized corps badges. These badges l are linked together, indicating strength and protection. Around the center of this star you will find a circle of stars, | representing the several states in the Union. The clasp attaching the ribbon 1 to the star is the American eagle perched on crossed cannon, drawn saber, and a pyramid of spherical shot. The ribbon of the order which suspends the star is an American flag, the outer edge indicating the rank of the wearer, that for national officers being yellow, department officers red, and for post
 officers blue. For past officers the
 rankstrap is worn in the center of the
 ribbon The whole design is national
 and attractive. The star was adopted in National Council October 27, 1870, l se, fI,z. slFC C A