The National tribune., 1901-05-16
OPEN THE DOORS TO THE SONS.

The time of holding the 3jth National
Encampmcnt draws on, and we should
give earnest consideration to the business
that we desire that body to transact. Con-
spicuous in this line is the need of estab-
fishing far better relations with the Sons
of Veterans. For nearly quarter of a
century now the National Encampments
| have dallied with this important matter,
and put it off from one to another, until
now we should not, we must not, put it
off any longer. We need, as never before,
| the active sympathy, alliance and CO.
operation of our own sons. They are the
ones whom we can turn to with absolute
| certainty, and they are the only ones.
Heretofore the movements toward
| closer relations with the Sons of Veterans.
and encouragement of the elder and
stronger Order to the younger have failed,
because the friends of the Sons have not
been united and determind, each one ex-
pctins that the other would take the lead.
Let this not be so at Cleveland. Let
every one so thither determined that
strong, certain step forward shall be
taken, and our sons brought into affiliation
with us. There reed be nothing in this
to conflict with the strong desire on the
part of many comrades that the Grand
Army of the Republic shall die out with
the last members. Without in the least
impairing the integrity of the G. A. r.
we can admit the Sons OF Veterans to our
meetings. and delegate to them portion
of the work we are now doing. Let them
maintain the independence and integrity
of their Order, as we shall of ours, but let
there be a close atfiliation which will lend
additional dignity and purpose to theirs,
and give them an encouragement which
will be exceedingly helpful to them. The
stronger we can make them the greater
will be the benefit to ourselves. A Post
will certainly go through its business and
ritual with much more zeal and earnest
ness if instead of the meager array of vet
Grams the room is filled with active young
men, watching the proceedings with deep
interest.
Outside of the grips and passwords
there is absolutely nothing in our meet
ings that we want to keep secret. We
wish that not only our beautiful muster,
in ceremony, but the whole of our ritual,
could be gone through with not merely in
the presence of the Sons of Veterans but
of the whole people. No other Order has
so beautiful and impressive a ritual as the
Grand Army of the Republic. 1t breatRes
from first to last the most exalted patriot
ism, Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty To |
see this gone through with by gray-haired |
men, to whom every word has a meaning |
ingrained in their very souls, and in ex-
emplifcation of which they have stood on |
a score of bloody battlefeds, is the most |
impressive spectacle that can be witnessed |
anywhere. 1t would be well if every time |
this could have thousand spectators |
among the rising generations, instead of |
score or two Of the elders, who are so |
firm in the faith that they do not require |
further admOnitiOn.
Let US begin by having the next Ma,
tiOnal Encampment provide for the adj |
mission to Pest meetings. of all Sons of |
Veterans in good standing, and the ex-
preston of a strong desire for the CO.
operation and assistance of every Son of |
Veteran, whether in the Order or not.