Year: 1870

Grand Army of the Republic.


There is something sonorous and im-
posing about the title of this organization
that arrests attention. 1t is important to
know whether it also challenges respect
Few lives are blanks in the world no
matter how spent, they have an influence,
good or i'll. In proportion as societieso or
associations of men have greater influence
than individuals in that proportion may
we look for results from them, and to that
extent are they held responsible for the
character Of those results.


Three praiseworthy motives or objects
gave birth to this society: .fr@ to en-
courage broad and liberal charity towards
the suffering survivors Of the late Union
Army and Navy, and their widows and
orphans; second, to keep green and fresh
the friendships which grew out of partci-
patton in common dangers in great
cause Mird, to cultivate pure and
lofty patriotism, sincere affection for
those institutions which were preserved by
the unparalleled struggle in which we
shared.


Certainly no higher purposes than these
could actuate man, for they embrace his
duty to God, his fellow, his country, and
himself. True, christian, or rather church
duties. are not here imposed, as prescribed
by sects, but in this code we have summed
up what Holy Writ tells us constitutes in
part the law and the prophets. No one,
however, claims for this society place
above or beside the church, although its
mission cannot but prove auxiliary to the
church it is only claimed to supply
place among the good influences in COM
munity, and seeks not to abridge the
privileges or the proper development and
growth OF any good oblect IN the world.


As we speak now of what is professed,
ana not specially of what is practiced by
this society, it is proper here to give its
declaration of principles, and objects, as
published to the world by its Rules and
Regulations, or fundamental law:


CHAPTER I-Article II.


l. To preserve and strengthen those
kind and fraternal feelings which bind to-
gether the soldiers, sailors and marines
who united to suppress the late rebellion


>. To assist such former comrades in
arms as need help and protection, and to
extend needful aid to the widows and or
phans of those who have fallen.


3. TO maintain true allegiance to the
United States of America, based upon a
paramount respect for and fidelity to the
National Constitution and laws to dis
countenance whatever tends to weaken
loyalty, incites to insurrection, treason, or
rebellion, or in any manner impairs the
efficiency and permanency Of our free in
stitutions, and to encourage the spread OF
universal liberty, equal rights, and JUS
tice to all men.


The association is willing to abide the
result of criticism of this avowal of prin-
ciples. Here is clear declaration of all
we purpose and that alone upon which We
wish to be judged. Beyond this no post
or comrade has the right to speak for or
commit the society.


The public can have little interest in
our internal working machinery or the
details of administration by which these
objects are wrought out. The bylaws
&C., are not unlike those of other similar
organizations, although We have our ri
tual and forms of ceremony peculiar to
our own order.


As, however, our declared object may
be misrepresented upon question about
which the public is justly sensitive and
jealous-viz politics-there should be
here given what We have enacted as our
law upon the subject:


ART. XI.-Politics.


No officer or comrade of the Grand
Army of the Republic shall in any man.
ner use this organization for partisan
purposes, and no discussion of partisan
questions shall be permitted at any meet
ing of the Grand Army of the Republic,
and no nominations for political offices
shall be made


In the early history of the organization
this provision was not part of our regu-
lations, and doubtless the action of posts
and departments gave some ground for
popular distrust, as secret political orga.
nizations are to be deprecated at all
times, and can only be defended under
circumstances of great public necessity.
But as the fruits of the war were being
rapidly and safely garnered, and as We
had passed the peril which threatened us
soon after the armed rebellion ended, it
was wisely foreseen that politics must be
definitely and permanently excluded
which was accomplished by the adoption
Of the regulation quoted above.


The organization now rests upon ha-
sis as enduring as the virtues it teaches
it cannot cease to exist while survivor
Of our late Union Army remains to keep
it alive. Parties may change; govern
mental policies be adopted and pass away;
civil or foreign wars arise; but here
shall be found a society drawing together
and holding in common bond Of union
the best blood Of the nation. BY the