Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1908-05-21
No Successor To G. a. r.

Il. Il. Lewis III Boston Transcript:
An article in the indianapolis News
given larger circulation by being re-
printed in the Transcript argues for
the perpetuation of the Grand Army Of
the Republic in some form.
The principal reasons assigned seem
to be: First, "rhat somebody should
have charge of the battle flags and
other relics that the Grand Army men
are gone" Few of the things are in the
possession of the G.. A. r. and the
museums are as able to care for them
as for thousands of other fragile relics.
Second '"That the existence of--some
heir to the q. A. r. is. essential for the
observance OF Memorial day" a per
functory performance is always sham.
Of little avail we're all that the Grand
Army stands for If there be not pa
triotism enough to keep alive its
memory without an organization which
an ex of1icio stalking horse. No; q
thousand times mol
The Grand Army stands for the up
heayel of nation--for The advance of
the world. Not America alone, but all
the earth has gone forward farther III
in the forty odd years since the close
OF the great struggle than in any pre-
vious 400-a war, singular in its every
aspect--in inception. III execution, in
the number and magnitude of its
battles alike in its appalling destruc-
ton of life and property, and It's magni.
iicent results TO both friend and foe, as
we'll to the nation as to the world.
Other armies have fought for con-
quest, for ACKNOWLEDGEMENT or at best tor
the welfare of a small fraction OF the
human family Marathon was for
Greeks, Austerlitz was for Bonaparte,
Waterloo for Britons, but Shiloh and
Spottsylvania and Gettysburg were for
man. When the last one of that mighty
host has gone-to whose diminishing
numbers has been largely left the OBJ
sefyance of Memorial day, there will
spring up from every furze bush, like
Roderick Dhu's men among the heather
millions who will see that Memorial
day shall be properly observed.
The right to wear the bronze button
was bought with toll and sacrifice and
blood The power TO acquire it ceased
with the strife. Lit is now neither pur-
chaBable nor inheritable Gov. Flower
once met an old friend and putting his
hand upon the lapel of his coat said,
John, you and | We're boys together.
When the call came III 1861, you went
into the army and fought your way
through; Went into law and politics
and made money--fots of it. | would
give it, every dollar, for the right to
wear that button"
Let the Grand Army die, wrapped in
the mantle Of its own individuality,
without heirs, without successors. 1t
neither inherited its glory nor can it be
transmitted. 1t stands alone in history,
as destitute OF relations as Melchizedek,
and as no man who was not OF it can
now be foisted into the membership OF
that almost phantom host, SO let none
seek to perpetpate iii name that which
must in fact die with the last man of it,
and which can exist thereafter only as
.,1o b.,I a.,
expiring breath of the last poor tired
body Of them all. When the last man
answers the final tattoo let the Grand
Army be simply a memory, national
memory of unfading splendor' while
"On Fame's eteral camping ground
Their silent tents are spread;
And Glory guards with solemn round
The biyouac of the dead"