The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-04-09
nIsslsofA's EAsD RALLY.
Great Gains MADE Under Able Administra-
zion Of Command stszkvsather.

Great Gains Mads Under Able Administra-
sion Of Command stazkvsasher.
The Department Minnesota has 70
Gently held one of largest and most
enjoyable Encampmy in its history.
The past year has witnessed I very real
revival of interest in Grand Army circles
in Minnesota, and for the first time in
seven years the Order shows a gain in
membership. Since 1896 the average loss
had been between 400 and 500 per year,
and every effort to stop this continual de-
crease of membership seemed unavailing.
When year ago Comrade Perry Stark
| weather was made Commander of the
Department, he decided upon a system of
recruiting which had clear business
foundation and has proven more success
full than even he dared to hope. Imme-
diately after his election he asked of Post
Commanders and the presiding officers of
allied Orders that they send him a list of
the names of all veterans in their respec-
tive 1ocalities-comrades who had been
for any reason dropped from the ranks,
veterans who had never been connected
with the Order, in fact the names of. all
of those who were eligible to membership,
but who were not enrolled members of
the Grand Army of the Republic.
In reply to his request he received the
names of nearly 1000 veterans, and to
each one of these he at once sent per-
sonal letter urging that they ally them
selves with their comrades and do their
duty as citizen-soldiers and soldier-citi-
zens, telling them that their duty was as
imperative to-day as it was in 81, and
calling upon them to perform it.
Post Commanders were then notified
and urged to seek personal interview
with the veterans and make a personal
appeal to them. Committees were APP
pointed and instructed to visit each vet
eran and urge his renewed interest in the
Order.
A prize banner was offered to the Post
showing the greatest percentage of gain
and the Woman's Relief Corps were put
into the service of recruiting the menu
bership. From all allied Orders came
of the Ladies of the G. A. II. volunteered
to help. The Sons of Veterans and
Ladies' Aid kept pace, and the struggle
for final rally was begun.
1t was not an easy matter to interest
men-most of them, indeed nearly all of
them over GO years of age, most of them,
too, living on farms remote from village
or town, some 10 miles, some 20 or %
miles from a Post-but it was done, and
although the membership on the first day
of January. 1901, was 5,SS7, to-day it
numbers G,195.
One Post-Maj. Doughty Post, of
Lake City-made gain Of 300 per cent.
and many others did valiant service for
the good of the Order. The interest thus
awakened seems to promise much for the
future, and certainly the time has not vet
come when the Grand Army of the Re
public must sit down and submit to the
inroads of death and decay. If the era
tors who describe so graphically and so
touchingly the coward march of time"
the ''faltering footstep and the dimming
eye" the ''sunset of life," and the immi-
mt eli, 4f kl,A
whom no man can DEFY" would turn their
attention to calling ubon their comrades
for them to fulfil their whole duty as
Americans-well, we would certainly en-
joy their e.oquence Hpch more, and it
might be made available for marching
music rather than funeral dirges. We
like at the best of itonRd certainly we do
not need to be remipded Of the near APP
prOach oe that whidRI~e know full we'll
must be all too neairgoJ
The awakening of interest throughout
the State eliminated in the Encampment
just passed. and if the boys of Minnesota
are not fully awake and possessed with
very real supply of the energy of youth,
then the readers of The National Tribune
are assured that there is the finest imita-
ton of that article which is on the mar
ket to-day stored up in the northwest and
all comrades may have a supply if they
give full expression to the fraternai love
which they really feel for those of their
number who have strayed out of the ranks
of the Order, bit who only need to be
called back. Blow the bugle lond and
strong once more and sound the assem-
bly," and put your heart into the call,
for how do you know but some comrade
is lost in the slough of despOnd or the
dark woods of doubt? Light the campfire
and see to it that there are gathered in its
grateful warmth every veteran whom you
know to be in your community.
At the Department Encampment great
enthusiasm was evidenced, and when an
other year rolls around we shall have
more and not less to join with us in the
good old songs of other days. Comrades,
see to it that your Department enjoys the
same prosperity.
Among the more important steps taken
at the Encampment was a resolution in
dorsing Comrade Black. of Illinois, for
Commander-in-Chief, for the coming Ma
tional Encampment. Department Com
mander Starkweather recommended that
wherever it was practicable the Posts and
Corps Keep 'Open house" four days each
year-Jan. a, April 4, July 4 and Oct 4.
On these days the veterans have their
pension papers made out, and frequently
the Office Of the Notary or County officer
who makes out the papers is so small
that much discomfort results to the wait
ing comrade; there are long hours Of wait
ing their turn for attention, and much pa
tience is exhausted. If the Posts would
open their halls, secure Notary who
would attend to the necessary legal tech
nicalities and permit the waiting veteran
to enjoy the pleasure Of social visit with
his comrades and friends, it would be the
means of turning tiresome duty into a
really enjoyable day. = The Corps would
spread midday lunch, and out-of-town
comrades might bring the good wife along
for little recreation. 1t would certainly
be the means of furnishing an added OPP
portunity for recruiting our ranks. for
from being guests the veterans would
naturally drift into being hosts to other
veterans. Posts and Corps would both
profit by the wide field for fraternal work,
and wherever it is practicable the COM
rades are urged to try the experiment. 1t
is hoped that other Departments will take
up this suggestion, and any details of in
formation which are desired will be gladly
furnished by the Department officers Of
Minnesota. A most beautiful Past Com
mander's badge, made of gold and studded
with diamonds, rubies and sapphires. was
presented to Past Commander Stark
weather by his comrades
The officers for the coming year are:
Com. Isaac l.. Mahan, st. Paul; s. v. c.,
Ho rricop White 7 ,,,.,.,o.