The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-12-30
THE GRIND HPMY.
What Veterans Are Doing for the
Good Of the Order.

-
Past Cha plain-in- Chef T. H. Hagerty, st.
Louis, Mo-. writes ~ he active works Of
the year have closed, and the Department
is in the scenes OF changing administra-
tons. The past year has been one OF the
mast prosperous in the history OF the De
parlment, taking all things into considera-
ton. We must not forget that the men are
older than they were 80 years ago, and 1t Is
not to be expected that they will be as
prompt TO do duty, nor as quick to engage
in new things rs when they were younger
and more full Of life. 1t is known that old
soldiers are not as ready to join the GAR.
as they were 20 or more years ago.
Then il has been seen that comrades are
not quite so prompt in keeping themselves
square in all things as they were once
hence, many hundreds lapscd, and some
lost their membership entirely. 1t has be-
come great question in many places, How
shall we he able to keep our comrades all
in line and prevent falling ont by the way?
The Missouri Department has given
special attention to this matter. lam glad
to report that Commander Plat has had
much success IN gaining back many who
had lapsed. He was very active in his
visitation of Reunions, Campfires, and
other gatherings of the GAR, so that ne
has come in contact with the rank and file,
and knows the needs of the Department.
These Reunions have been especially
interesting this year. Much enthusiasm has
been created by these gatherings, not only
among the comrades, bat among people of
all ages. Vast crowds Of people would at
tend these gatherings day and night as
never before. No social organization of
men can draw as large and as respectable
a crowd as the LAR. We should be proud
OF this fact. In many places the JohnnlcS
have shown great interest.
Missouri has done well in getting back
suspended comrades, and even dropped
fItlnf. ,.e,f,.
They find il better 10 be in than out. Others
who never before belonged to the Order
have Joined. Our city Posts have been
particularly fortunate in this line. Ransom
Post has grown to second i'm size in the
Department, and is still recruiting"
DEPARTMENT DoINGs.
j. X. Palmer, Normal, H.. writes: We
have recently organized Il Post in this city,
and named it in honor Of Col. VIM. McCuI
Tough, 4th III. Cav, who was killed at
Coffeeville, Miss, in December, 1862 We
have a membership OF 81, and the organiza-
tlcn IS Prosperous y society OF the Ladies
OF the GAR, known as Mccullough Circle,
has been organized, and is aiding the
G. AR. in its work.
Department Commander Scott, of Rhode
Island, calls the attention OF comrades to
the near approach Of Flag Day, and urges
early action to insure the proper observance
by the different Posts.
The Fucampment of the Rhode Island
Department Will be held at Westerly, Jan.
y. Budlong Post, IL, }s arranging for the
entertainment Of visiting comrades. Com
mander-in-Chi Goblin has promised to at
tend.
Resolutions have been passed by John
Nj. Bell Post, 49, Washington Courthouse,
Department Of Ohio, asking President Nc
kin!ey and Congress to take z, firm stand
III behalf Of tIc Cuban insurgents. A copy
oil the re buttons were forwarded to the
OHIO Senators and Representatives and to
Department Commander I<issinger.
The lith anniversary OF the organization
OF I'ansom Post, st. Louis, was celebra ted
with q banquet at fhc Southern Hotel,
where over 300 comrades and Their friends
assembled. Commander Hills said, in his
welcome, that he thanked God that he did
not have to invite his comrades and friends
To st down to such campfire eating as the
Comrades were accustb.led to in tn cir army
lie, bnt that now hey " ere able TO enjoy
the hest of the land and were devoutly
thankful for it, After grace bad been said
by Conrade iiagertv. Judge PhilliDs. of the
Supreme Cont OF Ilitids was introduced.
He gIoried n the WARP Tn grea comma nd
ers who had led the arm cs and desired
that the Nation sho2Ald assert its rights,
not IN peace congresses and arbitration
treaties, but by the sword, if necessary.
He desired the Navy to he such that every
nation would fear and honor our merchant
ships He wanted a c0aiing harhor, and
whenever Hawai- wanted to fall into our
lap" he said, take II and fear not He
was not di5ro~ed 10 fear accepting Cuba,
nor the Nation noW iT9ug So vainly 10 hold
her DR. Jesse B0anill Young gave a
graphic word picture oi thc mon in the war
as he had seen them, both in The West and
the East. Conr .tc Judge Thompso gave
an address on The great characters Of the
war, Ransom especially. The speeches
were all OF high order.
FREE 10 INVALID LADIES.
safe simple home trearIn mt that cured me affer