The National tribune., 1897-09-09

statement just made. the success Of the GAR.
has been quoted TO illustrate the correctness Of
our position on the military feature but A. has
been so aptly remarked by prominent member
OF that organization. TO whom much OF our
carrier success IS due. they occupy totally
different position, their uniform of tie period
OF their actual service fttingly represents deeds
OF vaIor. to which We cannot, with but few ex-
ceptions. lay claim. We have continued TO ex-
pertinent Tor number of years on precisely
the same lines as those upon which the Order
was organized, and with results as aboys
shown. There Is nothing theoretical about the
figures presented to you; they are facts and
We must meet them with intelligent and posi-
tive action II we 10 hope to survive and
attain the numerical strength necessary TO
place US in a position to be OF actual service to
the surviving veterans as enuneiated in the
principles and objects of our organization.
1t is not my purpose in bringing this matter
before you to adduee arguments for the adop-
ton of hasty legislation The matter is too
serious and involves too many Issues to be
quickly determined. My investigations, how
ever, lead me to the sincere belief that our
future success will lie in a complete revision
oil our fundamental laws whereby the Order,
without IN any way affecting the essential part
OF our constitution embracing the title princi-
pies, objects, organization and eligibility clause
as they at present exist, will become a great
patriotic civic body OF Importance. This sng-
gestiOn would contemplate the abolition of the
military and uniform features as we know them
to-day, depending upon the adoption Of a
single standard butiOn-hoie decoration OF
neat and attractive design for general use,
and the badge for public occasions. GER
tam wel!-detned patriotic holidays. and
general Camp room purposes. For that minor
ity who are eligible 10 membership in our
organization, who take deep interest in milf
tary matters, provision could be made enpOw-
ering Division Commander to issue a dispen-
sation permitting Camp to establish an armed
and equipped body soon as a Camp expressed
Its Willingness and ability to so arm, equip and
MAINTAIN minimum company. battery or
troop after the strict standard Of the presents
U. ;. Army regulations in connection with and
directly under the control Of the Camp. Such
body, armed, equipped and drilled after
recognized and uniform standard would in
time become of positive value and command
respect. Moreover IL would certainly remove
the just grounds for the adverse criticisms to
which the utter lack of uniformity incident to
the present system has subjected the Order os.
occasions OF all public Appearances
Ii such changes as are herein outlined shall
be found to be desirable it would permit of the
revision of many OF our present blank forms
and the omission of others, with the result THAI
we could readily simplify the clerical wsrx Of
the Order to an extent that would enable us "a
obtain efficiency III this direction Much Of
the present system entaiiing upon the officers of
Camps and Divisions the preparation of U.s.
less statistics could be avoided the general
returns could be less frequently made, saving
TO these branches of our organization considers
pie SUMS OF money, and having a general ten
dency TO secure capable officers who would be
interested in their work. Either a revision Of
the work 20 a reasonable basis or an increase
IN the terms of Office for Division and Com
n. lief off till
are TO expect any improvement from this
/ source, since with our present cumbersome
system many officers are but fairly started in
their work when they are compelled to give
way to their successors, who. in turn simply
encounter similar discouraging experiences.
BADGES OF THE ORDER
The prescribed badges of the Order. of artis-
tic and appropriate design would not of neces-
sity need revision, other than that the wearing
OF a multiplicity of badges is never desirable,
and a simple law could be enacted permitting
of the wearing of but one badge on all public
occasions. during the meetings of either of our
bodies, letting 1t be optional with past officers
to wear single badge denotng their highest
rank, or any intermediate rank, as their pref
erence hight be.
In view of the vital Importance of this quss.
tion have omitted to make the CUSTOMARY rec
concentrations covering other minor changes
that have suggested themselves, in the hops
that the wisdom aud experience of the BROTH
ers here assembled may be confined to the con-
sideratiOn of this one grave question of cur
numerical strength, firmly believing that rs
sponsive action on your part viii be the
effective means of bringing the Order, in par
sonnet and numbers, to that proud position
which we of right ought to occupy and at tbs
same time be the incentive for the permanent
establishment of military feature that will
be creditable to the organization
OFFICERS AND STAFF
The officers and staff have been unremittinx
in their attention to the duties of their respect-
i've stations. The cordial relations which have
characterized our official intercourse and their
uniform willingness to perform every duty
assigned TO them, cannot but leave the most
pleasant memory of my official tenure of office.
Truly it has been an official family without
even the sembiance of q family Jar" always
ready and anxious to counsel and advise with
one another for the best interests of the Order.
Through the very nature OF the position / was
brought more closely into contact with the
Quartermaster and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and my
unbounded admiration for these two worthy
brothers, formed through friendship OF many
years standing, has in no degree been lessened.
Brother Loeoenstein, through long service IN
his position, has acquired that experience
which st once makes him most valuable
officer and safe adviser. Brother Hammer
y
thorough knowledge of the duties of the station
through service in his Division for an almost
uninterrupted period dating back TO the forms
ton of our Order. With q training EN- bod wing
promptness i'll the discharge of the duties he
has been called upon to perform no detail has
escaped his watchful care. loyal friend and
ardent worker who in the daily routine of
Headquarters work has made labor pleasure.
And now, retiring from the high Office 20
which you were pleased TO elect me last year,
aud returning 10 assume my share of labor in
the ranks oucs more, l desire to return my
sincere thanks for the uniform kindness with
which the loyal brothers throughout the Order
have come to my assistance in the discharge
of my official duties. May our deliberations,
rpened with the experience of the past, lead
our great Order in the patriotic work in which
We engaged to teach the young and old
of every nationality that, under the guidance
OF a Divine Providence, there shall be but one
people aud one flag in this land of liberty.
j. l.. RAKE, COmmander-in-Chisf
PIHEC CTHTICTI0C