The National tribune., 1906-10-04
RECRUITING FOR THE G. A. r.

n-Inie1 6EOWn makes tlflely anu IoTCe-
full urgings upon the comrades to re-
cruit the Order. to it's utmost possible
strength, He Says:
Headquarters Grand Army of the
Republic. Peoples Savings Bank Build
ing, Zanesyflle." Sept. 25, 1906.
General Orders No 8.
II j.RecruIt.
Il. 1t Is the earnest desire of the
Commander-in-Ghief tand all who are
associated With yhim) that every effort
be, and at once, put forth to recruit our
ranks. 1t is lamentable fact that not
one-half of theF surviving soldiers and
sailors of the war of the rebellion are
members of the Grand Army of the Re-
public. This ought not to be so. Some
day somebody may be asking these
men or the members of their families,
Why? Is, or was, there something in
the record of the soldier or sailor which
rendered him ineligible to membership
in this the greatest patriotic organiza-
ton that ever has or ever can exist
Let these facts be pressed home.
The office of Department Command
er ought not to be regarded or treated
as an empty honor. 1t imposes great
responsibilities and duties not to be
nightly esteemed, and so of any office in
the Grand Army, National, Department
or Post. 1t is therefore hoped that
every officer and every member of every
committee and each comrade will
heartily cooperate with the Command
er-in-Chef, that we may as nearly Us
possible bring into the Grand Army
every honorable defender of his country
and his country's Flag.
1t Is earnestly suggested that each
of the As Department Commanders and
all National and Department officers
will use their best efforts to arouse an
enthusiasm in their several Depart
ments and that they will use their best
efforts to. encourage active recruiting.
Department officers Will impress upon
Post officers and comrades the possi-
bilities of strong and united efforts
along this line. Comrades. this is our
year: we are on duty. 1t will never
come to US again. VIII you not lend a
helping hand?
The office of Post Commander is a
highly honorable and responsible posi-
ton and ought not to be accepted by a
comrade who is not willing to work for
the best interests of our Order. With
out the aid and cooperation of the Post
officers all efforts will be in vain. Each
should make himself special recruit
ing officer Post officers, may we not
rely upon you?
1T is suggested that complete list
be made of all honorably-d disc harged
soldiers, sailors and marines who live in
the vicinity of the Post, and who are
not members in good standing, and that
the same be read in open Post at least
three times at successive meetings for
the information of the members; that
the Post Commander visit each of the
persons named and urge them to join
the Post, and that a committee be ap-
pointed whose duty it shall be to ac-
lively cooperate with the Post officers
in the matter of recruiting. Let Camp
fires, open Post meetings, Reunions and
soldier picnics be held, to which shall
be invited all who in the dark days of
the rebellion stood on the line with us.
and then and there urge upon them to
become members of the Grand Army of
the Republic. If each of our comrades
should, during the coming year bring
into the ranks one other. our number
would be doubled. A loyal regard for
our obligations will accomplish the de-
sired end. tT-aI
III. Especial attention is called to
Section I1,,nChapter 2, Article 2, of the
Rules and Regulations (see Blue Book
1904. page'i37J providing for the estab-
lishment, when the Department has au-
thorized ito off 'Outposts,' and that the
meetings Of such OutDosts may be held
at the home of any comrade, at the
conVenIencS' of the members.
I'm view of the fact that many of
those whoi1are eligible to membership
in the Grand Army and who do not
now belong are old and in many cases
live remote from the Post headquarters
and cannot be out at night, 1t may be
we'll to consider the advisability, in
cases where the Department has au-
thorized it, of the establishment of Out
posts and it may be well for Depart
ments that have not already done so
to consider the propriety of authorizing
the same. The parent Post fixes the
limit within which the members of such
Outpost must reside, passes upon the
qualification and fitness of the appli-
cant for membership in such Outpost
and fixes the amount to be paid as dues
| Where 'Outposts are established the
Post Commander may in person or by
suitable detail muster in such applicant
| and for this purpose may at his option
administer only the obligation of mem
bership. And in view of the fact that
many Of the soldiers. sailors and ma.
rines of the war of the rebellion are
old and infirm and that many of them
| object to being mustered according tt
| the ritual because of it's length, atten.
| ton is called to Paragraph 4. Section 7
| Chapter 2. Article 2 (see Blue BooF
1904, page 36), providing that Posts
| at their option, are authorized to dis
pense with the services of the rtua
prescribed for the muster-in of recruits
| but in no case shall the obligation b.
omitted"
I This advice and the suggestions ar,
all excellent, and should be cordial,
acted upon by the comrades.
! There is one powerful argument
/ however. that the Commander-in-C Chic
i has omitted. It is tfiat of the duty o
every ex-soldier and sailor joining tn,
Grand Army of the Republic and aiding
in its work.
i The work of the Post becomes muci
heavier every year, on account of tn,
increasing age and infirmities Of tn
members. More money is needed TO
relief.
The demands upon every Post fo
: fraternal assistance are heavy and mus
in the nature of things continually grow
heavier. Sick comrades must be visit
ed, and given the cheer Of fraterna
/ sympathy and help. Nothing SO com
forts their sad hours of languishing ill
ness as the visits of comrades. Dea,
, comrades must be buried, and nothin
so exalts them and the services the
. rendered their country in the eyes o
!, the community as full attendance o
1 N.