The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-12-10
TO INCREASE MEMBERSHIP.
Commander of Iowa 6. A. r. Has
Issued an Order.

sSSoSW 0b SA0Sts
An order has been received by the
local post Of the G.. A. r. recommending
each post in the state to make an in
crease in their membership special
order at one of the regular meetings at
the earliest possible date. The order
was Sent out to all posts in Iowa, and
wherever it has been received the move
has been taken up with much zeal.
Commander L. B. Raymond of the G. A.
r. department Of Iowa, is making every
effort to increase the membership
throughout the state. 1t has been noted
in the last year that in spite of the fact
that the old soldiers are passing away
rapidly, the membership in many cases
has actually increased. In his order
sent here, Commander Raymond says:
Comrades are reminded that fully
one-half Of the veterans in the state
eligible to membership in the Grand
Army are outside it's ranks. At the
rate at which death is thinning our
rank we can hold our organization but
few years longer, unless earnest and
vigorous efforts to recruit into our
ranks comrades who will fill the places
of those who fall out. The veterans
outside should be reminded that they
participated equally with us in the ben
efits gained through the instrumental
| ity Of this order, and should not be
content to longer accept them without
sharing in it's support; and this can be
done in no other way so effectively as
within our ranks.
1t is recommended that each postal as
early date as possible after the annual
election, appoint committees to see
those who have never joined. The ut
most charity should be exercised in
suspending members for non-payment OF
dues, which should be entirely RENTED
where comrades are unable to pay the
same; and no veteran should be COM
PEELED to remain outside our ranks Oh
account of reduced circumstances.
Several departments last year report
ed an actual gain in membership during
the year; let every comrade use his best
efforts to place the department Of lowe
on this list the coming year.
We should all remember and cherish
the high sentiments to which we arr
pledged, to hold the memories Of on
great service as dear as we do our com
radship today; to deepen our thought o
the on-going good Of our regeneratet
country, to minister to the we'll bein!
of remaining comrades, to relieve tn
loneliness and poverty Of declinin!
years, to uplift the stricken, to chez
the darkened homes; there can be n
higher service than this. But this or
, ganization is not an end; it is the mean
. and instrument more perfectly to secur
the end; it is the combination Of GU
individual power; it is the organizatio
of our forces for more thorough an
effective work.
This object is noble and useful or
and must be kept bright and in workin
order. While our end primarily is t
guard the we'll being of those who wit
us gave their best for their country,
is also to extend and transmit thes
sentiments, to hold the delivered cou1
try true to it's promises, to its sacr
1 fees, to it's faith, it's ideals, its honor
!. This consecrated ministry, brother fe
brother, we must make a spectacle, a
object lesson for our people. AS tt
crowded years sweep on, and new.il
terests in the community seem to bul
the path by which we have come, al
z obscure the thought that the presel
: good is the Inheritance Of service al
e sacrifice given before, is the concern
( our organization.
. Our home work comes ever close
8 home; our ranks grow thin; but v
q "close up" and stand more solidly t
gether, for all that every high hea
holds dear. More and more will Of
I work be needed as the twilight deeper
over the path we have trod and arou1
the eyes that look forward. To tn
work we consecrate ourselves, you al
| l together, that we may be held wortl
to stand for such memories, such cha
acter, such service, ''lest we forget
Revolution Imminent.