The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-26
BY Gen Daniel ST ,kles.

The Grand Amy of the Republic is
to-day TIE or attest organiza ion Of its
kind IN he world. w tn a memt ership of
over four hundred thou sand, it rep, esents
the best blood of a generation that
fought and suffered 10 make this coun-
iry the unit it is to-day. The annual
convocations he Id by this body are much
m re than a eeting Of Cd comrades fol
the purT ose of dwelling on the long post
camp and battle experiences; they are an
us ration to the younger generation of
the fortitude and indomitable resolution
that pervaded the North at the outbreak
If the Reb lion. The spectacle of old
men, men broken by the hardships of
war the lame, the halt, all marching in
parade. VIXEN a carriage would $ EN- to
be of little enough assistance is a fea-
ture of tn Sc convoca ions fami lar to all.
1t is rot the mere d sh e of appearing on
parad that causes these battered Veter
ans to take part in the march, but II is
to show their love and respect for the
flag. They have endured the psiVations
of camp life. they have seen their com
rades, even their brothers, shot down at
their side, they have been wounded tnem-
selves All this. and more, have they
done in the past for the old Nag, and
they have learned to love it to he extent
thsy have sun cred. The r fighting days
are ever but their patriotism lasts to TIE
end. 1t + FIR the honor and glory of flag
and country hat they turn out
"As lately as 1875, / have seen the vete-
rams of the war of 1872 hold their flag
raisings az the Battery and at FIT. George
Old men of eightyfive or ninety conduc-
ted these services, and the younger gene
ration of to-day is destined to see the
Grand Army of the Republic reduced to
a mere handful, vslliantly following the
flag with the same resolution as it is to-
day.
I'D has frequently been suggested that
cities whose guests the veterans are
should supply means of conveyance. This
would be cheerfully done but for the all
most unanimous protest Of the veterans
themselves. AT the unwilling of Grant 8
tomb, / commanded the G. A. R. divis-
ion of the parade and endeavored 10 pro-
vide means 20 tighten the extremely long
march l was opposed on all sides, but
finally thought that by hiring a dozen
steamboats, and carrying them part of the
way by water with a short march at the
end. that I had a plan they would con-
sent TO follow. But not they. One vete-
ran voiced the opinion Of the entire COM
n1ittee by tersely saying: General, we
always followed Grant on the land, and
we are not going to take TO the water
on this occasion of all others And with
long and arduous march.
There shou be a strong representa-
ton of veterans at the Chicago convo-
cation In August. We are always enthu-
sastieally received in every city 10 the
country, except New York. We are the
guests of the city at which our meet
ings are held and with this en- excep-
lion. there is no stint to our welcome.
The people OF New York are not less
patriotic, but they are so pre-occupied in
Their rush for the d)lar that hey have
FORGOTTEN what these men have done for
them In Philadelphia and Chicago cur
visit is a signal for general holiday. Bus
mess is suspended and people come in
by thousands from the surrounding coun-
trv. In New York we are lost. Our con-
vacations would not excl as much com
ment as a decline OF half dozen points
IN the stock market.
THE influence exerted on the younger
element In this country by such an or
eanization must he tremendous, and II
speaks well for the future OF the coun-
try. that the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie Is held in such high regard
THE time must come when VIC viii
slowly fade away There will no longer
be available recruits 10 I'll, up tn
steadily thinning ranks. but just as long
as there is a corporal guard left. the
Grand Army of the Republic Will be
Foupd nj fta most