The National tribune., 1908-04-02
SHALL THE G. A. r. DIE?
Why Not Have Its Work Done and Iti
Memories Pcrpetuated by the Sons o.
Veferansf


Veferansf
Editor National Tribune: Remember
ing that you have been a sturdy friend
of the Order of Sons of Veterans, and
having had something of an experience
along that line myself. based on a deep
interest in the bedrock principles of the
organization, it may be inferred that no
mercenary motive prompts the writing
of this letter. 1t has been my fortunate
experience to command Camp as well
as Division at some time during n
membership of some 20-odd years III
the Order. No pecuniary advantages to
be derived from sick benefit or fraternal
insurance schemes has prompted a con-
tinuouS membership all these years. Be
ing yet a firm believer in the ''senti-
ment" upon which the Order is found
ed, and believing also that the memory
of a father who evidenced his willing
ness to do his duty when his country
called, and the recollection that some
of the same chivalrous blood is still
surging thru my own veins, furnishes
sufficient incentive for a compelling in
terest in an organization that looks TO
carry on the work of the Grand Army
of the Republic when that organization
has gone the way of all flesh.
Having explained my interest in the
Sons of Veterans as an organization,
perhaps 1 may be pardoned if I refer
briefly to some of its weaknesses, tho
not at all in a critical spirit.
After a life of more than 25 years
the order has a membership of some
30-odd thousand, and in it's whole his
tory 1 do not recall any conspicuous ac-
complishment along the line of its pro-
fessed purpose. 1t is quite evident that
an Order of 10000 members is not at
all likely to become so efficient as to
capably carry on the work and continue
the traditions of the Grand Army when
in the course of human events 1t be-
comes necessary for that body to leave
its duties to other hands 1t is also quite
in evidence that the Order of Sons as at
present constituted will hardly be able
to recruit its membership to any consid.
cradle permanent extent, and it there
fore follows that as an Order the Sons
must make some radical departure from
its present basis, if it is ever to become
an organization to which the Grand
Army of the Republic could confidently
intrust it's heritage.
The Woman's Relief Corps is not or
ganized to properly continue the work
after the Grand Army is gone. They
and the Ladies of the G. A. R., the
Daughters of Veterans, Ladies' Aid So
cieties and others are now engaged
along kindred lines with essentially the
same goal as the Sons. 1t Is now be-
ginning to be frequently stated by the
comrades themselves that their work
must soon be left to others, and refer
ences are not infrequent to the time
when the Grand Army will be no
more" But why mo more?" Why
should the life of the Grand Army of
the Republic go out with the expiring
breath of its last comrade? Why is it
not as much a duty of all these organ
izations to keep alive the parent body
fGnl tn INN &c tro1 md
memories? Why not all these organ
izations with purposes so similar, each
striving for the same goal, pool their
issues and all become brothers and sis
ters in a common cause fostered under
the sheltering wings of the Grand Army
itself? The G. A. r. can fix the whole
matter with bit of legislation directed
at their eligibility conditions. No pre-
rogative of the old veteran himself
would be usurped. nor could any be
called by the familiar "comrade," ex-
cept it be soldier who had earned the
title as now. The new Grand Army
would be composed of comrades" (sol-
diers only), "brothers'' and sisters"
The united forces under one banner,
and imbued with the pride of member
ship in the parent organization, could
continue the work of the boys in blue"
much more effectively and economically
than is possible under existing condi-
tions. OF course, this would imply the
collapse of all the Orders collateral to
the G. A. r., or, more correctly speak
ing, their consolidation into one. Ad-
mittedly there would be objections to
meet and overcome in all the bodies.
There would be fewer offices to appease
the politicians. Unearned grandiloquentl
titles would be conspicuous by their abb
sence. Some objectors in the G. A. r.
would feel that membership in an or
ganiZation bearing that name should
be only to veterans, and 1 can appre-
ciate the impregnability of such an ar
gument. However. would it not be bet
ter for all to meet the question in a i
spirit of willingness to make some pa
triotic sacrifices. If necessary, to the end
that in years to come the Grand Army
of the Republic may become other than
a sainted memory?
Personally do not like to think that
the G.. A. r. must go. Rather should
its memories become an heirloom kept
intact by the influx of the sustaining
new blood, and more cherished because
of the personal contact with the surTiy-
ing makers of real history during the
twilight of their declining years. The
details could all be worked out harmo-
niously during the next few years and
the foundation laid for continuing Or
ganization that in unique achievement
could and would command the respect
of the world.
Recognizing that such a proposition
be properly stated in the space
allowed a simple letter, have tried to
outline in general way only a synopsis |
of a plan that appears to me to contain
elements of virtue worthy of serious
consideration.-H. D. Sisson, Pittsfield, |
Mass.