The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-27

beloved Commander-in-chef Logan and
since made holy day. and a holiday by
legal enactment in the majority of the
States, should be changed simply because
a lot of hoOdlums and thoughtless men and
women desecrate it by games and races.
large majority of our people are obserV-
ers OF the Sabbath day and they do not
consider parades and public demonstrations
seemIy upon that day, md their wishes
should be respected for we look to them
Iather than to the thOughteSs for the
moral support we need. If games and races
cannot be suppressed on such sacred days
oy moral suasion and the effect of the par
ticipation in its sacred work by vast num-
bers of our best citizens. then no change
or day could effect such results.
The Grand Army of the Republic be-
ieVes in military instruction in the public
schools because it is good for the boys men
tally, morally, physically, and above all,
periodically. I have been inspired in many
OF my visits to the public schools and col
leges in various localities. during the year.
by the evolutions of the companies of boy
soldiers, their marching in carrying the
colors to be saluted by the schools, and
similar exhibitions in which they evidently
take so great pride.
The committee on pensions have given
much attention to this branch of the work,
until quite lately with but little effect.
Within the last few months the latch
strings have been lOOsened and many justly
entitled pensioners have had their cases
acted upon; others stopped without cause,
have been restored to the rolls, and the
machinery of that great department OF the
government seems to have been oiled with
the oil of human kindness and honest obli-
cation. and to be running much more
smoothly and with much less friction than
before. l believe it will not be long until
every case properly made up Will be reach
ed and receive attention.
SCHOOL HISTORIES
mo subject in which the Grand Army is
interested is more important than that the
truth of history should be taught to our
children. 1t is certainly not the object of
the Grand Army of the Republic to keep
open the wounds of the war, but of this we
are determined that one side in that great
struggle right and the other was
wrong-and we were not the wrong side,
and we do not intend that our children
shall be taught that VIC were.
THE Grand Army of the Republic is not
political organization. 1t has within it's
ranks men of all political faiths who were
equally good soldiers. Its rules and regula-
tons forbid the discussion in its posts of
political subjects for the use of the order
for political purposes.
The desire for public office is laudable
one, especially to men who have braVed
their lives for their country, are capable,
and unable to properly maintain themselves
in other channels The veteran believes
himself entitled to consideration, and he is,
but he should not use the Grand Army for
that purpose. If he asks Endorsement of
his post, there are comrades there OF other
political faiths who cannot indOrse him, or,
if successful, he may displace another conf
rade. Personally, l will indorse a comrade,
is not q cOmrade, but officially ] will in
dorse no one. In the case of one depart
ment | have been compelled to require the
withdrawal of a circular issued for political
purposes, and doing evident INJURY to asplr-
ing and worthy comrades.
Again, parties using the emhlemS of
the Grand ArSSy for advertising purposes.
They are too sacred for such use and we
should ask our Legislature for the enact
mcnt of laws making such use illegal.
who measure the length or the
breadth. or the height or the depth of wom-
ans love and devotion, or who can measure
our great auXiliaries, the Womans Relief
Corps. Many a cOmrade and post would
have lost their membership but for the open
hand of this organization In season and
out Of season they minister to our wants,
make our meetings enjoyable, sustain us in
our work. They have started and main
tanned homes for the needy comrades, their
wives or widows; they are constant and
persistent supporters of patriotic teaching.
We shall need their kindly services more
and more as age and infirmtty creep upon
us Every post of the order should have its
Woman's Relief Corps auxiliary.
Il am more than ever impressed with the
importance of organization among the sons
Of veterans, of encouraging them to take a
high stand on the side of good order. good
morals and good government believe 1t
would be encouraging to those young men
to invite them to hold their annual gather
ing at the same time and place as we hold
our encampment"
After thanking the vice commanders and
his official and personal staff, who had
sDlendidly sustained him in his work and
the comrades who had been so uniformly
kind indulgent and courteous: Mr. Clark
son concluded thus: Let us keep the old
flag to the fore. Let her every gentle wave
be to us an inspiration for greater devotion
to our own and our country's best interests,
and every star a beacon light leading us on
to higher and greater ambition"