pH8J JWilitary 0rder of ttie Iloyal mgm of tt^e United jStates Head-Quarters, Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania I. The following extracts from the Constitution (1881) are pro- mulgated in response to a general desire for information in relation to the membership and objects of the Order. Article 1. — T///e. — This Institution shall be known by the name, style and title of The Military Order of the Loyal Legion ok the United States. Article IL — Pihuiples. — This Order acknowledges as its fundamental prin- ciples: — i.st. A firm belief and trust in Almighty God, extolling Him under whose bene- ficent guidance the sovereignty and integrity of the Union have been maintained, the honour of the Flag vindicated, and the blessing of Civil Liberty secured, established and enlarged. 2nd. True allegiance to the United States of America, based upon a paramount respect for, and fidelity to the National Constitution and Laws, manife.sted by the discountenancing of whatever may tend to weaken loyalty, incite to in.surrection, treason or rebellion, or in any manner to impair the efficiency and permanency of our Free Institutions. Article III. — Objecls. — The Objects of this Order shall be, to cherish the memories and associations of the war waged in defence of the unity and indivisibility of the Republic; to strengthen the ties of fraternal fellowship and sympathy formed from companionship-in-arms; to advance the best interest of the soldiers and sailors of the United States, especially of those associated as members of this Order, and to extend all possible relief to their widows and children ; to foster the cultivation of Military and Naval Science; to enforce unqualfied allegiance to the General Govern- ment ; to protect the rights and liberties of American citizenship, and to maintain National Honour, Union and Independence. Article V. — Members. — The Members, or CoDtpanious, of this Order shall be of three (3) classes: — first (I St J Class: Commissioned Officers of the United States Army, Navy or Marine Corps, Regular or Volunteer, including Officers of assimilated rank by ap- pointment of the Secretary of War or Navy, who have been actually engaged in the suppression of the Rebellion, whether as Commissioned officers. Non-commissioned officers. Warrant officers, or Enlisted men. The eldest male lineal descendants, according to the rules of primogeniture, of deceased Companions of the First (1st) Class, upon attaining the age of twenty-one years; and if there are no descendants, male or female, then the male heirs of such deceased Companions in the collateral branches of their families in the order of genealogical succession according to the rules of primogeniture : Provided however. That in cases of representation through females the eldest branches shall be preferred to the younger, and intervening female lives through whom the inheritances would be deprived shall be disregarded ; that any person eligible for membership by inheri- tance, if he have no descendants, male or female living, may, by writing filed, waive und renounce his right in favor of the next entitled person ; and that in case one already a Companion of the Order is next in the line of inheritance from a deceased Companion, the eligibility of meml>ership in right of such deceased Companion shall devolve upon the person next entitled other than such living Companion or his descendants. The eldest male lineal descendants, according to the rules of primogeniture, of Officers who have been killed in battle or died while in the service of the National Government during the actual existence of the Rebellion, and who would have been eligible for membership in the Order had they survived. Second (2nd) Class: The eldest sons of living Companions of the First (ist) Class, provided they be twenty-one (21) years of age. Upon the death of the Companion of the First (1st) Class through whom eligi- bility of membership is derived, a Companion of the Second (2nd) Class shall become a Companion of the First (ist) Class. Third (3d) Class: Gentlemen in civil life, who, during the Rebellion, have been specially distinguished for conspicuous and consistent loyalty to the National Government, and who have been active and eminent in maintaining the supremacy of the same. Article VI. — Election of Members. — Sec. i. — Every application for member- ship shall be made in writing, signed by the applicant, who shall be recommended in writuig by three (3) Companions of the Commandery to which he shall apply, who shall vouch for the candidate's eligibility. The application shall be referred by the Commander to a Committee of Investigation, consisting of three (3) Companions of the Order, none of whom shall be of the recommending Companions. If the applicant be a candidate for the First (1st) Class, the Committee shall ascertain the date of his appointment or muster into the United States service, and if discharged, the date of the same, and the reasons therefor. In all cases, they shall make a care- ful examination of his standing and moral character, and shall report in writing at the next stated meeting of the Commandery. Sec. 3. — A Companion-elect of the First (ist), Second (2nd) or Third (3rd) Class, before being admitted to the ]3rivileges of membership, shall subscribe to the Constitution and By-Laws of the Order; pay an admission fee of at least twenty-five dollars ($25.00) which shall entitle him, during membership, to a Diploma, Badge and Ribbon. .5(.^(.^t***.j^* Provided, That Companions-elect of the Order who may be stationed or who may reside at a distance too great to be present at the stated meeting of their Com- mandery next succeeding their election, and who are thus unavoidably prevented from complying in full with the above requirements, may, in lieu thereof, make in writing the recjuisite declaration of membership. Article ^\\.— Membership. — SiYx:. 5.— In case of the death of a Comiianion, his heirs shall be entitled to retaia possession of his Diploma, Badge and Ribbon. II. The Order extends throughout the United States, and was instituted April 15, 1865, to commemorate the services and the mem- ory of Officers of the Army and Navy, who aided in maintaining the honour, integrity and supremacy of the National Government, in the Rebellion of 1861-65. John P. Nicholson, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel U. S. V., Recorder, ijg South Seventh Street, Philadelphia, Penna. LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS mill 012 195 918 5 %