Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-07-20

6. A. r. MEN AND oTHERs
Old Soldiers Organizations and Some.
thing About Their Histories

Those who are informed as to the
VI Sd liizdztloh of soldiers perfected at
ter the Revolutionary War will recall
.iiat tile hrst to come into existence
was one composed of the officers m
yer General Washington 1t was
known as the Order of the Cincinnati.
II soon became popular society. and
hdd large membership. General
washington was one of the early
members and was its commander
Like the present Loyal Begiou-the
military order started in April, 1965-
the Order of the Cincinnati made pro-
VISION for the sons of its members to
succeed them. 1t is matter of his
tory that not long after the first class
members, the officers who had n mart
IN the Revolutionary War. passed.
away, the Order of the Cincinnati be-
gan to weaken. Today it is little more
IMAM a memory. Yet now and then we
aear OF few of the members coming
together once year for a session and
banquet. So far as accomplishing
any material good in the way of build
ing patriotic sentiment and Incl easing
love OF country in the heart of the peo-
pie is concerned, the Order of the Gin
cInnati is of very little value At the
same tune. the few who are members
place high estimate on their mem
bership and guard their badges most
religicusly.
When the rank and file of the Revo-
luuonary army saw that their officers
had perfected an organization and
were exerting political influence in the
community they proceeded to organ
ize society for the men in the ranks.
Like the other society. this one grew
rapidly, and in time far exceeded the
Order ef the Cincinnati in the lnfiu-
enee = eTcr."'' The later order made
no pi DIVISION for their sons to sue
| eeed them. but il stiil lives and Is the
most compact and powerful political
| combination the nation has ever had
| fef laHF wears. seventy five or a hun
died at least, it has been knswn as
| the Tammany Society of New York
| an organization that has nominated
| candidates for President and prevent
| ed good men from being nominated
| that has made Governors, Senators
| judges. foreign ministers and mayors
| that has controlled the legislatures
| killed off ambitious politicians by tht
hundreds and brought itself into dis
| repute by the most dishonest and ut
| terly disreputable political actor
| known to the country.
| Because of this fact it is to be as
| stunned that Ii the soldiers who fought
| under Washington could speak today
| they would advise the Grand Army OF
| the Republic to do what nearly all OF
| It's members have decided should he
done: that is, to render certain that
when the last contingent of its meln-
| bership rows over to the other shore
| the Grand Army of the Republic as
an organization shall go out of exist
ence and stay out to the end of eter-
nifty The old fellows of the Grand
| Army do not want to leave such
heritage as Washington's soldiers I'M
| fortunately left.
| Immediately after the death of
| President Lincoln, April Is. 1868. a
| cluster of officers OF the Northern army
in Philadelphia called meeting and
| took steps for the organization of the
| Loyal Legion of the United States.
| Though the great war President was
dead. his name appeared as one OF
| the charter members. and Is so car