The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1911-03-30
INCORPORATING THE G. A. r.
ChaYacter of the COrpOratiOn-What
the Government Should Do.

Editor National Tribune: / have been
reading with great interest, and not
without some apprehension. the news
paper articles regarding the movement
to incorporate the G.. A. r., and would
like to know the real, underlying mo-
tives of those who favor incorporation.
For instance, If by incorporating it is
intended to make it n stock company,
in which each member of the organiza-
ton would have a share of stock, even
tho it were without cost or expense to
himself, / would not be in favor of such
stock company, because the heirs of
Grand Army members as the members
die off would become legally the hold
ers and owners of such shares Of stock
and in that manner men or possibly
women, or, at any rate, persons who
had no part in the war of 1S61-65,
could come in and vote to control the
orders policies and its property and
funds. No man can become member
of the Grand Army unless he has hon
orably served in either the army or
navy of the United States during the
civil war, and it would seem improper
to so arrange matters that in the future
any other set of men could step in and
gain control.
My idea is to let the G. A. R. as at
present organized die when its last
member. dies, but in the meantime, be-
fore that sad day arrives when the
Grand Army shall be no more, the Unit
ed States Government should by act of
Congress create Grand Army or
Legion of Honor, and every man who
hOnorably served his country in army
or navy during the civil war should be
a member of that newly created body,
and it should be the intent and purpose
of the Government to honor it's veter-
ans during their life and to revere their
memory after their death. 1t has been
said that Republics have no gratitude
for their heroes and defenders. Let us
prove as Americans that this is untrue
and that this Republic at least knows
feels and shows its gratitude to its old
veterans. Pensions are well enough
but in the shadowy eve of life's closing
day the old soldier would like to know
that his life has not been lived in vain;
would like to know that the greatest
effort and the greatest sacrifice he ever
made is known, remembered and ap-
preciated by the Nation and by the
younger generations. Let the Nation
champion the cause of the feeble and
dying soldier; let medals be struck
which he can wear proudly and proudly
bequeath to his sons or grandsons; let
military funerals show him honor after
his death, and let the name of every
veteran, by companies and regiments,
be engraved on tablets of bronze to be
pa tSei NSu at Tie NAHUM among
the treasured memories of the glories
of this glorious Nation After the last
Grand Army man is dead there will be i
much honor to be gained by any honor
able man being able to truthfuIIy say
that he is the son or grandson of one
of the departed heroes of the Grand
Army.
For my part, next tony faith in AL
mighty God, 1 can think of no nrouder
heritage to bequeath to my descend
ants than an unspotted army record.
AS the time is short between now
and the death of all the members and thel
consequent death of the Grand Army, let
US, individually and as an organization,
so shape our course that no unworthy
motive shall enter into the life of our
organization. If the proposed incor-
poration has sordid motive underlyingI
it, then away with such a proposition.
If any good, sensible and honorable |
reason can be shown why the Grand
Army should be Incorporated, then let
the roal truth be known. / see no rea-
son for change, except that instead of
the veterans having to found an institu-
ton to honor themselves. 1 think that
a really grateful Nation should found |
an Order to honor the veterans
L would like to hear from some of |
our comrades along this line.-John
Dillon, Co. l, 23d Ind, Birmingham,
Ala