The National tribune., 1908-11-26
RECRUIT THE GRAND ARMY.

and serious reflection.
The Grand Army of the Republic, or
ganized as it was in 1866, in the De-
partment of Illinois, its ranks recruited
sailors and marines of the civil
war, at first grew slowly; there
were many distractions to be re.
moved, many obstacles to be sur.
mounted, before the organization gained
much strength. In 1880, when the
character and usefulness of our grand
organization became known, all the ob.
structions and obstacles had been re.
moved and all external influence seemed
to have Disappeared; we had reached E
number 60,634 comrades in good stand.
ing. From 1880 to 1890 the growth wa!
healthful and gratifying; We then hat
409,4S9 comrades in good standing upor
our rolls
i On the 3fst day of December, 1907
the reports show that there were 225,-
157 comrades in good standing upon ouI
rolls. and 13,4S1 comrades standing sus-
pended.
The last report of the Commissioner
of Pensions. dated June 80, 1908, shows
| that there were 620,9S5 soldiers, sailors
| and marines of the civil war upon the
| pension list drawing pensions, and at
| the same date there were 1909 original
claims pending, making a total of $685.
0S4 surviving soldiers, sailors and ma
rines of the late civil war, both in the
Grand Army and outside of it.
The number of comrades in the
Grand Army of the Republic in good
standing Dec. 81, 1907, 225,157 plus the
| 13,4S9 standing suspended, equals 1885,
646. These figures show that there was
| on the S0th day Of June, 1908, $50, ,43S
| soldiers, sailors and marines on the
persion rolls drawing pensions under
| laws which exist by the untiring energy,
perseverance and labor of the Pension
Copanittees of the Grand Army of the
Republic, at its expense.
These figures are appalling, but new
ertheless true. The question now arises,
Why is this SO? Do comrades, who have
received the benefit of wise and humane
laws, urged by comrades of the Grand
Army of the Republic, now think that.
having obtained all that can be had
from the organization, they will drop
out, or are there other reasons? Are
there internal influences at work within
the Grand Army of the Republic which
| has caused this large list OF suspen-
| sions? Have the comrades, standing
outside, been approached in the proper
spirit and urged and invited to join the
| Order?
Comrades, there should be a rallying.
These men must be reached. Appeal to
their honor, to their manhood. Appeal
| to them as soldiers, bound together by
| ties stronger than the ties of blood,
welded in the heat of battle-in the
furnace of war. Recall to them the
memory of experiences so common to
us all, when in the dark days of our
Nations history men of wealth, educa-
ton, culture and refinement stood side
by side, and shoulder to shoulder, with
the horny handed sons of toll and in
dustry. all engaged in one common
cause.-the maintenance and perpetuity
of the grandest Government on earth
and its institutions. Let them know
that the comradeship thus formed still
exists with us, and that rank and posi-
ton, SO necessary in active service, are
laid aside here, and each and every one
regards all others as comrades.
There are hundreds and thousands of
old soldiers, sailors and marines who
are not eligible to the ranks of the
Grand Army of the Republic, for the
reason that they have not an honorable
discharge, or other reasons, but there
are hundreds and thousands of brave
and noble men who have honorable dis
charges standing out with those who
have not. Appeal to them in the spirit
of true comradeship. See to 1t that the
13,4s9 comrades on the suspended list
be placed in good standing. Reason
with these men and find out what the
trouble Ii. When 1t appears that
comrade cannot pay his dues without
detriment to himself and family, then
promptly remit his dues thus showing,
thus proving, that we stand firmly on
the triple bond upon which our noble
Order rests. These comrades who have
been dropped from the rolls should be
sought out and induced to return.
There Is class of men who would
gladly join the Grand Army of the Re-
public IL they could do so. Many are
old men, too old to attend Post meet
ings, too poor to pay initiation fees and
dues, who look with envy upon the
Grand Army man. They were good SOL
diers, brave, loyal and true to our coun-
try and its Flag. Some provisions
should be made whereby these COM
r3des can be brought into our Order I
would suggest that dispensation be
granted to Post Commanders to muster
such men in their homes, pin the badge
upon their breast, put the little bronze
button in the lapel of their coat, let the
disgruntled and dissatisfied appearance
vanish from their face and replace it
with smile of joy and contentment.
Let them sit by their firesides with their
children and grandchildren, peaceful
and happy, and teach to them the privi-
lege and duty of patriotism, and when
they are called, let them go as COM
rades OF the Grand Army of the Re-
public.
Our good Auxiliaries, the noble wo-
iicHs nave HSstI tHey WHOSE
charities have done so much for us in
the spirit of F., c. and L.. have prom
ised me that they will gladly aid in this
good work in rebuilding the fire of
patriotism in these cold hearts, that we
cannot reach, and they will gladly pay
the per capita tax of all such comrades.
Let every comrade resolve that dur
Ing the coming year he will bring in
one or more of our comrades who are
now outside our noble Order.
One Department Commander has
promised me that he is engaged in an
effort to add 5000 recruits to his De-
partment during the coming year.
If every Department and Post Com
mander will give this matter serious
consideration and their best efforts
much can and will be accomplished,
and all will feel better for having done
their duty faithfully
intend to give my best efforts this
year to the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie, and / call for the hearty co-opera-
ton and support of all comrades.
Yours in F., C. & L.,
Henry M. Nevius,
Chief, G. A. r.
Ofic:al:
Frank o. Cole, Acknowledgement.
We can scarcely hope to add anything
to the forceful arguments presented by
the Commander-in-Chief Gratitude
alone, which is strong element in
every veterans heart, should bring
every oHs'of the 3s0,43s soldiers, sailors