Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-13
SAMUEL p. TOWN
On Preserving Patriotic Ideals

DERPETUATION Of the ideals of patriot
4 ism for which the boys Of 81 fought and
died is the aim of the Grand Army of the
Republic, according to Samuel p. Town.
assistant adjutant general and assistant
quartermaster general Of the Pennsylvania
division of that organization.
within few years said Mr.. Town,
"the hand of the Great Master will have
removed from this earth all of hos" one
time stnlwart boys in blue who fought to
keep their country intact We hope by that
time to have perfected an organization of
veterans of other and later wars that will
carry on the traditions and glOres of Ameri-
Canism, patriotism and loyalty to the coun-
try that have distinguished our own body.
"Our country is becoming populated with
an army of men, women and children from
other lands, who need but to be properly
educated in our national spirit to become the
best of citizens. They nre for the most part
willing and anxious. but this education must
reach them If this country IS not to face
serious division in the next few years.
G. A. II. Dwlndling Rapidly
I'VE fattcr ourselves that We have been
instrumental in the years that hav" passed
in proving a potent influence in preserving
these ideals But the Grand Army of the
Republic cannot last much longer as an or
ganization because its members are rapidly
dying off, and many of those still alive, while
still hale and hearty, are well past the
three score years and ten that is mans
allotted span.
During the Civil War it is estimated
that the Union Army totnIed 220O 600.
about 100000 more than the Confederate
army. Although large percentage of these
men did not join our organization, an equally
large percentage did.
Thus in Pennsylvania the organization
started with $500 members in 1867, and
gradually increased until it reached its max
imum here IN 1894 with A,1Ol comrades.
The membership gradually decreased through
Death until last wear it was only N'2S. AZ
the meeting Of the division in Allentown LAST
week it was found that these figures had
decreased within the year TO 1853
"Simiarly the ranks of the veterans have
decreased in the country from 400 $50 in
1893, which marked the high point, to 3S 600
members today.
Only AZ Posts in State Now
"rhc number Of posts has likewise dc
creased In this State in 1894 they num-
hcr"d GG2. and today they total only All.
Philadelphia has one post with 100 members.
Harrisburg one with 1S2 members, there are
IA posts averaging twenty members and
lOl posts with about ten members apiece.
We consider that the usefulness Of post
is gone when it falls below this number, CX-
rept in some Of the small towns, when we
have continued them with n membership as
low as five Where il has been found neCeS-
u
members remaining transfer certificates
which have entitled them to join such OK
istng posts as may please their fancy.
1--WE hav" found that even this small
number has formed n nucleus Of leaders
| about whom patriotic observances aud
! demonstrations may be formed, and thus they
| have served very useful purpose IN per-
! petuating our ideals.
"To do this effectively We have visited
| the schools n great deal The youngsters
| form our hope for the future. Their spirits
! run high, they arc enthusiastic and their
! ideals arc Of the highest, Although the new
! veterans do most Of the talking, we find that
the children like to see tho old veterans in
! their uniforms, and the inspiration which
! they furnish can hardly be measured
In Philadelphia We still have an Of
! fcCtivc organization. because there are
| thirty four posts and none of them has fewer
| than nifty members.
Younger Organizations
1--WE still have remaining the Son, of
| Veterans and Veterans of the Foreign Wars
heroes Of the Spanish American War, OF
Santiago, Of the Philippines, Of the Chinese
uprisiugs and other military operations
where the honor and glory Of the flag were
| being upheld.
weld all of these organizations together with
the American Legion and others Of kindred
nature into one big. central organization,
! with unanimous purpose to preserve thi,
country under on" flag, with the slliIi Of
patriotism which il the backbone Of thE Nu-
tion IN all it, pristine glory.
'Fur that purpose we are holding Il meet
Ing in the fall with all these organizations t,
perfect an arrangement whereby the Grnnd
Army of the Republic may pass on the pre-
ciOus heritage of patriotism which it ha,
Sustained through all these years TO be q