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


front in its favor and backed up the
movement with the impressive weight
of hundreds of thousands of well-organ-
ICED men covering the entire country.
In its 40 years Of existence the Grand
Army of the Republic has strongly COM
mended Itself to the good opinion Of
the country. No great organization has
conducted itself with more lofty pa
triotism, with more dignity and force
fulness. with more unselfish devotion TO
the best interests of the country. 1t
has constantly acted in such a way as
to make membership in II badge of
the highest honor. The right to join it
is a privilege. such as many men would
give half they possess to obtain
were 1t possible to get in that way.
The Grand Army has been pronounced
the most aristocratic organization in the
world. No wealth can purchase MEM
bership, no family connections, no adj
vantages Of politics, birth or connection
can grant membership. The right to
enter it was purchased years ago by
men Offering all that life had for them
to the service of their country. 1t makes
a patent Of nobility, the luster Of which
will grow with every year as the days
Of the conflict pass into history, people
recognize the immensely Of the struggle.
the wonderful valor and fortitude of
those who prosecuted it and the high
grade of manhood required to wear the
blue in the days that tried mems souls.
Men should Join the Grand Army of the
Republic in order to pass to their chill
dren substantial evidence that their
comrades of the Great Conflict approved
Of their service and recognized them as
worthy to be their comrades. Their
children and their children's children
will point with pride, than which there
can be no greater in the world, to the
cherished heirlooms of Grand Army
badges as irrefutable evidence that their
own comrades of that colossal struggle
have passed upon their claims for rec
ognition and approved their right to ba
considered as Of them. A man who dies
outside of the Grand Army robs his
children and his children's children of
all honor and a satisfaction which
should be q fragrant memory Of him.
It is only necessary to present these
show them clearly that the path of duty
lies dn uniting themselves with it to-
bring them into its ranks. Let US have
a simultaneous movement all over the
country In this direction. Let the COM
rades everywhere mako up lists of all
those honorably discharged soldiers in
the Jurisdiction Of their Post who have
not united with II, and make a personal
appeal. visit of a committee possibly,
to each one Of these, and urge him to
no longer neglect the manifest duty of
helping to care for his comrades by
joining the Grand Army Of the Repub-
lie. Let them take with them q blank
application for membership. and go|
back to their Posts with It signed and
by the membership fee.
The Acknowledgement of the Grand
Army of the Republic should be able to
report to the National Encampment at
Saratoga that the membership has-been
doubled during Chief
Browns administration. and this can be
done, we are convinced, If there is a
and general movement all
over the country to bring into camp
the comrades who are struggling out
side, many of whom have not Joined
merely because the question of duty has
not been properly presented to them.
Let everybody 60 to work with the idea
of doubling the membership of thei