The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-05


Ssinmsnts were provided were well patronised by plea
sure seekers througheut the day
SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI.
-~-~>>~-~~~~>>-~~>~
This Society held very interesting anniversary meet
Nd yesterday At the rooms Of the New York Society
Library University place, commencing at about mid
day, Ex-Governor Fish in the chair The proceedings
Of exceedingly entertaining character from the
historical "reminiscences given by the speakers and the
remarkable and venerable associations connected with
the inception Of the order The following history
Of the Society Of the Cincinnati obtained from authentic
sources, which will give the reader good idea OF it's
purposes and insight into the principles actuang ts
members at early day.
The Society Of the Cincinnati association formed
aer the peace Of 1885, originally composed Of officers OF
the American Revolutionary army, and continued IN
their knsmen and representatives The revolution nav
ing been accomplished this society was instituted As
nonument of the memorable occasion. It's purpose was
- cherish and pepetuate the mutual feelings of patriot
I'm, benevoence and brohery friendship created by
common experience Of the hardshps encountered in
achieving the freedom Of their country and establishing
Ne rank among the nations Of the EARTH The movement
though chiefly commemorative, not unmixed with
motives Of prudence and pocywas in unison with the
Spontaneous feelings the army at tho moment OF its
dissolution and was and controlled by men Of
tried virtue and wisdom
Tho guarantee Of It's character that 1t to
seve the sanction and be under the guidance Of Wash
ington. General knox, person sharing in singular
degree confidence and affection both Of the army and
~ chief composed the original draft which is still
sant The meeting for organization called at the
headquarters Of Baron Steuben, place yet pointed
ont the North river New York It consisted of the
the respective lines the Baron as senior officer pre-
siding Several Of the distinguished officers in the
classic history and literature were vorte reading and
they adopted for their association the and
ample Of the Roman citizen soldier who laid down In
peace assumed only for the public defence II
Washington personihed under the image Of the Roman
Cincinnatus.
Appropriate emblems were devised for badges and
ornaments including the eagle and uniting the blue and
white in compliment to the combined by which the
successful result had been effected The honors of men,
bership were extended to q number Of French officers
70 whom they became object OF ambition Funds
were formed by the contribution Of one months pay
from each officer for the relief of the unfortunate their
ranks among the State branches into which the nstu-
ton was divided and 70 this benevolent feature per-
haps owes It's continued existence.
Its honorary membership not intended to be con-
nned exclusively TO military merit; and the most inter-
estng point about its organization relates TO the
eesson Of its regular membership This was construed
~ nrs to be right OF privilege Unbeatable and directly
sansmissble upon principles analogous to those Of legal
descent In the bond Of ASSOCIATION limited TO the
oldest male posterty, together with their kindred mho
soatd Dc soorhy Of teeomsng supporters The extending
phrase admitting coaterals lin taics) appears to be
interneatiou upon the original draft Of Knox and there
fore the qualifying clause which follows intended
apply less the first than the second descriptions
An unvarying law Of prmogeniture was met by the
objection Of Hamilton-one OF the foremost and most
earnest advocates Of the insttutonthat Il referred TO
birth what properly belonged to inertia principle
which pronounced In . report presented by him in
1857 TO be inconsistent with the genius Of the society
let the privilege which taken be attached to pri
nogenure excited public jealousy and seized upon
"a salient antirepubican feature and the of he
On this score that at the first ensuing general meeting At
Philadelphia, in May 1854, the subject was specially
Il opinion manifested il was finally thought best 10 omit
entirely provision for the continuance Of the nst
zion beyond the period Of its founders Washington
would have been willing TO sacrifice the existence
Of the society, had not been for its relation those
foreign officers enrolled in IT, who had already held
meeting abroad and for the charitable provision which
contemplated Though sympathixing deeply In the in
tentions and proceedings OF s founder he had fully
Seermined that concession BY which u should be re-
order should be the condition OF his accepting the office
Of President General, 70 which he had been invited.
From this purpose he induced depart only under
persuasion that "middle way might be adopted
b which the conflicting ideas should be harmoniousy
ssced he minds Of Adams JEFFERSON and sy NOT To
mention Airabeau and Others and the society be main.
tanned without impsring its essential principles failing
private Journal Of the Of the convention
Il lisa, kept BY Governor Winthrop Sargent who
member and brought TO light in 1858 by his grandson
Mr. Winthrop Sargent a contribution to the SNemors
a the Pennsyvania Historical Society,"" shows the
strong feeling which existed both for and against the
principle Of descent which had been recognized by the
society.
Although the formal results Of this society were rather
negative than positive and its proposals were not fully
acceded to- and therefore not necessarily authoritative
over tho State societies yet practically manifestation
the line Of merit which existed in the original dra side
by side with that Of BIRTH It was after this public
pledge was given and upon the simultaneous assembling
q Philadelphia In 17s7 Of the general Society Of the
Cincinnati ana the convention to Form tho constitution
Of the United States both Of which Washington attended,
that the nnal dculty in his mind appears have been
svsrcoms and the warfare against the institution have
consequently died away except as mingled with the
rs sssans: sns adoption Of the federal constitution
he continued TO hold by succession and reelection
long he lived Al their next trennia election the
members Of The society had the satisfaction Of saiuing
Him q President Of tho United States and they generally
gave him their cordial and united support In the
~ So thew BASED ssO
lutons Of public and private SORROW at his dcccase
Afer his death, in 1882 being found that the propo
A Of lisa had NOT received favorable response the
tnsutson assumed 10 remain In its original position
Prom this time greater regard was paid 70 the former
lneal relation between the members and the original
founders became established principle Of the nsttu
oa Yss the change in Ne tone and habit wrought by
for membership was 70 be determined not by
ngunIty but BY Just elective preference among those
born No absolutely indsputsbIe right but only moral
right 70 preference vested In eldest birth and in the
been renewed 81 election which has become 60 settled
BY usags a. 70 be the normal organic law Of the insttu
son Nor n there any other known instance Of success
sion 70 membership In any other way This method also
Aoquirss validity from the Of those State soce
Nss which have obtained charters thereby possess
che legal faculty Of choosing their associates and
successors, belonging " every such corporation,
srolled BY any speciality besides is own proper charac
ssr The view has obtained that the hereditary element
contained In the fundamental compact OF association
arising from tte essential character OF charity Is nhe
rent and ineradcable, subject only working principle
70 due practical limitation, foundation which could
be changed without subversiou Of the institution.
II Was CLAUSE in the instrument Of association that
members In the society Of State should become such
IN that Of any other state 10 which they might
The general theory Of the society has been TO limit the