The National tribune., 1897-02-11
AN APPEAL TO rnE GAR.

Oh veterans mas MADE the IOliOWlnS
frank, manly, eloquent appeal to the
GAR:
HEADQUARTERS CoMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
Sons OF VETERANS, u. s. A..
READING, PA. }
To the Grand Army of the Republic:
To whom, if not to those honored veterans
of the civil war, the members of the Grand
Army of the Republic. should the Sons Of
Veterans turn for cooperation and assistance
in the work Of building up their organiza-
ton? The same blood that coursed through
the veins Of the boys of '61 to '65, and
prompted them to the support OF the cause
that meant the preservation of the Union,
flows through the veins of their sons, who
are organized that those deeds Of valor and
patriotism shall not be forgotten; that the
priceless lives, the empty sleeves, and the
precious blood with which treason was snp-
pressed shall stand as a constant reminder
of the perpetuity Of our country's institu-
tions as founded by Washington and so
firmly re-established by the martyred Lin
coin.
The Sons of Veterans have not sought, nor
do they aspire to, the position occupied by
the Grand Army Of the Republic. This, in
the very nature Of things, can never BE- We
come to you only as your sons, soliciting
your earnest aid and support in the estab-
iishment Of new Camps and in the strength
ening Of existing ones. that our membership
may be so increased and our work so advanced
that when the time shall come-as come it
must-that we may be called upon to as
sist in promoting the purposes for which the
Grand Army of the Republic was founded
we may be found numerically organized for
the successful prosecution of this labor OF
love and patriotism.
We invite your careful perusal of the
principles and objects of our Order:
PRINCIPLES.
Section 1. A firm belief and trust in Al
mighty God, and realization that under
His beneficent guidance the free institutions
of our land, consecrated by the services and
blood of our fathers, have been preserved,
and the integrity and life of the Nation
maintained.
Sec. 9. True allegiance to the Government
OF the United States of America, based upon
q respect for and devotion and fidelity to its
Constitution and laws, manifested by the
discountenancing of anything that may tend
to weaken loyalty, incite to insurrection,
treason or rebellion, or in any manner inn
pair the efficiency and permaneney of our
National Union.
our fathers and their sacrifices for the MAIN
tenance of the Union.
Sec. 2. To aid the members Of the Grand
Army of the Republic and all honorably-
discharged Union soldiers, sailors and
marines in caring for their helpless and dis
abled veterans; to extend aid and protection
to their widows and orphans; to perpetuate
the memory and history Of their heroic
dead, and the proper observance of Memorial
Day and Union Defenders Day.
Sec. 3. To aid and assist worthy and
needy members Of our Order.
Sec 4. To inculcate patriotism and love
Of country, not only among our member
ship, but among all the people of our land,
and to spread and sustain the doctrine of
equal rights, universal liberty and justice to
ali.
ELIGIBILITY TO MEMBERSHIP.
Section /. All male descendants not less
ably-discharged soldiers, sailors, OF marines
who served in the Union army or navy dur
ing the civil war of 1926 shall be eli
gible to membership: Provided that no per-
son shall be eligible who has ever been con-
victed of any infamous crime, or who has, or
whose father has, ever borne arms against
the Government of the United States Of
America.
We make an earnest appeal to the end
that Camp of Sons Of Veterans may be
found to flourish under the fostering care of
every Post of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie. Information and blanks necessary for
the formation of Camps may be obtained
from the Division Commander in your State,
or will be cheerfully forwarded from these
Headquarters upon request.
Faithfully yours,
j. l.. RAKE, Commander-in-Chief
Official: II. II. HAMMER, Adjutant- General.
Commander-in-C Chief Clarkson in
dorses this as follows:
HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE
REPUBLIC,
OFFICE OF THE COMMUNICATING CHIEF,
OMAHA, NEB., Dec. IL, 1896.
Recognizing that our sons must take up
the work we soon shall lay aside, and recOg-
nizing, also, the great importance ofdorgani-
cation in their ranks as well as our own,
the Commandments most heartily COM
mends to ali Commanders and comrades the
address herewith issued by the Commander
n-Chief of the Sons of Veterans, and asks
their hearty cooperation in sustaining
Camps already organized and in the organi-
cation of new ones.
T. s. CLARKSoN, COMMANDMENTS Chief
To J. L. RAKE, Communicating Chief of the
Sons of Veterans, Reading, Pa.