The National tribune., 1908-11-19
RECRUIT THE GRAND ARMY.

lIlc -Niihs Va '-AN
lpublic 1t is a disagreeable fact ina
within the ranks of the Order are now
less than half of the men who are eiisI
BILE to membership. There are many
causes for this, many OF which can pt
removed by proper effort. 1t is unde'
niable that the veterans are growing
old, and deeply as they may be attached
Ito the Grand Army of the Republic, il
is difficult for them to keep up th1iI
connection with their Posts, especially
in sparsely settled portions of the coun-
try, where they may have to go miles
to attend the meetings. This is nc
slight undertaking for men who arc all
past co. and most of whom are suffer-
ing more or less from disabilities Incl
dent to their service. The National En-
campment has taken cognizance of this
condition by the regulation for pick ct
posts. Under this regulation picket
posts can be established in districts
where the comrades are few. and they
can meet at the house of each mem
bcr in turn and make pleasant social
| reunion. This feature is the most
promising of all that has been suggest
ed. Veterans are bound to one another
| by ties such as unite no other class of
men in the community. 1t is always n
pleasure for them to get together even
in small numbers, for they have so
much in common to talk over and their
ideas generally flow in the same cham
mel. A little effort in promulgating the
picket post idea should cover the coun-
| try with these organizations, where
knots OF veterans in every community
would get together weekly or fort
nightly at the house of one of the
group, bringing their wives and chill
| dren and enjoying a most pleasant So
| cial reunion. The meetings would be
of the highest value in inculcating not
only a spirit of loyalty and fraternity,
but of neighborly friendship. Let every
| Post, especially in the country towns,
| take this matter into earnest considera-
| ton at its next meeting, canvass the
country over which its jurisdiction eX-
tends and see what can be done toward
establishing picket posts which will be
| ihJuAlNNo VI Niit itShASti L o9t- II ~ u
work that can well employ the activi-
ties Of the regular members of the
! Post Let a committee map out the
country, assign to active members a
certain territory in which to work and
gather into picket post. if not the
regular Post, all the eligible veterans
residing there.
Another question is that of dues. Too
many veterans have only their little
pensions upon which to subsist. and the
payment of the regular dues is consid-
cradle of draft upon their means.
This should be taken into account by
each Post. and the matter of payment
Of dues should be carefully considered
with reference to this class 1t leaves
bitterness in the heart of many poor
comrades who cannot AFFORD dues to be
excluded from membership with the
veterans who were no better soldiers
than they but have been more for
tunate in life. The Woman's Relief
Corps has done a good work in many
sections in assuming TO pay the per
capita tax of those comrades who feel
unable TO meet the requirements Of
Post membership, so as to meet the
Posts desire to retain them in member
ship. This is highly commendab!e.
Commander-in-Ch Nevius has this
matter of increasing the membership
under earnest Consideration, and IS re-
ceiving counsel and adyice from thou
sands of earnest comrades who haYe
also the matter deeply at heart. Il is
expected that many useful ideas will
be evolved and put in practice which
will enable him To show a decided in
crease in membership as his admins
tration progresses.
Every honorably discharged veteran
of the Army and Navy should be in
the Grand Army of the Republic. It
is an honor to belong to the Order. and |
every year that distinction is becoming |
more highly appreciated. The Grand |
Army of the Republic has been an on
ginc or the greatest benefit to all vet |
Grams and their widows and dependent |
ones. Thru its powerful agency has /
come all the legislation of which tho
veterans and their widows have had tho |
benefit. Its course since the war has
been on the highest plane. It has been
conducted with the greatest honor. con-
servatism and dignity, and it is a higher
distinction to belong to it than to anv
other organization in the country. Tbc
best men this Nation has produced
nave been proud to belong to it. and
their fame is part of the Orders bril-
Ilant history. 1t is at the same time
the most aristocratic and the most
democratic. 1t is aristocratic bccaus.
The men who are eligible to its mem
oership have passed thru the scycr.st
'rdcal that life presents. No money
an buy admission to ii, no child can
re born into it; education. attachments. Z
ame' cannot open its doors. Only men
AN enter upon whom no stain of !
reason rests, and who can present as 5
heir credentials the little parcbnont
estiiying that during the great war he :
vas regularly enlisted, served his term
'feditab!y and was honorably dis |
'hargcd. 1t Is the most democratic bo- !
;ause the poorest man who can present $
~ honorable discharge has precisely t
ne same right 10 membership as n man !
'ho mas attained the Presidency of The I
hlttd States or is the uosscssor of 40, I