The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1907-03-21
REcRrIT THE GRAND ARMY.

Commander in Chief Brown has
sounded the trumpet call to duty in the
way of recruiting the Grand Army OF
| the Republic. 1t seems incredible that
any man who honorably served in the
| Army or--Nayy of the United States
shall not have seen it his duty to unite
himself with his former comrades in
the great work to which the Order is
| devoted. It is not that he should join
the Grand Army to show to the public
that he was soldier and did his duty
in the Nations great crisis. How much
or how little he wants to remind the
public of this Is a matter for his own
conscience. There is something far
higher than this matter of personal
pride. 1t seems to us clearly a duty he
owes to the men who stood by him in
those terrible days and to their widows
and children. The greatest of the
Grand Army work has been for years
the strife and those dependent upon
them. Everyone at all familiar with
the internal workings of the Grand
Army knows how very much of every
Posts time and money is taken UP in
securing employment for the veterans
forting, visiting and helping those who
are Frustrated by sickness and in Civ
ing proper and honorable burial to
those who die. These are great and
ever pressing duties. An essential part
of the proceedings at every Post meet
ing is an inquiry as to those who are
sick or in distress, with details Of COM
rades to visit such and appropriations
Of money where money can bring re-
lief. The most arduous and constant
of Post work is that of providing relief
funds. Every member of the Order
taxes himself for the benefit Of his
stricken comrades, and labors in vari-
GUS ways to swell the ever-needed re-
lief fund. Inevitably this labor and ex-
pense falls heaviest upon those in the
Post, and 1t seems unnecessary to say
that every man who honorably bore his
part in the great struggle should feel
himself under the strongest obligations
to help the other comrades in this work.
He can do it most effectively by Joining
the Grand Army and contributing his
share. It is not asking that he attend
the Post meetings or appear with the
others on parade on public occasions,
tho this is desirable. He should by all
means, however. enroll himself in a.
Post, pay his dues and contribute by
his membership and association to-
strengthen the hands of those who are
doing this very necessary labor. He
cannot, with any degree of self-satis-
faction, reconcile his conscience to be
neglectful Of the men who stood shoul-
der to shoulder with him; who prob
ably helped him in one way or another
needed and who now are falling under
the heavy hands Of age. poverty and
disease.
Then there should be the strong mo-
tive Of gratitude. All the legislation
that has been secured for the benefit
Of the veterans of the war Of the re-
bellion and their dependent ones has
been the result Of constant and united
agitation on the part Of the Grand
Army of the Republic. skilfully directed
by it's ablest members. All the pension
legislation Of which the veterans enjoy
the benefit, all the retention in office
and other employment. and every other
measure of appreciation, recognition
and substantial help that has been So
cured for the veterans is directly the|
public. Very little of It would be on