St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-08-03

are and who represent the nations de-
Tenders and who glorify the nation
triumphs and pray for her perpetuation.
1t was happy thought which gave
birth to the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie. Chaplain William J. Rutlidge and
Major b. +. Stephenson of the Four
teenth Illinois, while sharing the for
tunes of Sherman's army in 1864 con-
ceived the idea of soldiers association
to be organized after the war. They
went further than others in the matter
perhaps, but the feeling was common in
the army that the ties of comradeship
were too strong to be broken. Many
were the plans laid for little reunions to
talk over old times after the disband-
ment of the troops.
Soon after the war closed Major
Stephenson submitted to some veterans
ritual for an organization. 1t was
modelled somewhat after the most noted
secret societies of the country. Confer
ences were held at Springfield, and in
April, 1866, the first post of the Grand
Army of the Republic was organized at
Decatur. AT that date there were numer-
Gus associations of veterans in the coun-
try, organized under the name of
union" or League" or association"
or brotherhood" but sooner or later
these went over to the new order.
There was something about the plan
of the new order to attract the mass of
organized veterans. Possibly it was its
declaration of principles, and maybe it
was the breadth and depth of the senti-
ment displayed in its constitution and
ritual. The declaration of principles and
the first six articles of the original con-
stitution read as follows:
"Section 1.-The soldiers and sailors
of the volunteer forces of the United
States, during the rebellion of 1865,
actuated by the impulses and convic
lions of patriotism and of eternal right
and combined in the strong bands of
fellowship and of unity by the tolls, the
dangers and the victories of long and
vigorously waged war, feel themselves
called upon to declare in definite form
of words and in determined cooperative
action those principles and rules which
should guide the earnest patriot, the
enlightened freeman and the Christian
citizen in his course of action and to
agree upon those plans ard laws which
should govern them in a united and sys-
tematic working method with which in
some measure shall be effected the pres
ervation of the grand results of the
war, the fruits of their labor and toll
so as to benefit the deserving and the
worthy.
'Sec. 2. The results which are de-
signed to be accomplished by this Or
ganiZation are as follows
First. The preservation of those
kind and fraternal feelings which have
bound together with the strong cords of
love and affection the comrades in arms
Of many battles sieges and marches.
"Second. To make those ties avail
able in works and results Of kindness,
Of favor and material aid to those in
need of assistance.
Third. TO make provision where
it is not already done for the support,
care and education of soldiers and sail
ors' orphans and for the maintenance of
the widows Of deceased soldiers and
sailors.
Fourth. For the protection and as
distance of disabled soldiers and sailors
whether disabled by wounds, sickness,
old age or misfortune.
Fifth. For the establishment and
defense of the rights of the late soldiers
and sailors of the United States moral
ly, socially and politically, with view
to inculcate proper appreciation OF
their services to the country and to a
recognition of such services and claims
by the American people. But this asso-
citation does not design to make nomi.
nations for Office nor to use its influence
as secret organization for partisan
purposes.
"Sixth.-The maintenance If true al
legiance to the United States OF Amer