Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-12-17
THE Amy MEETING Ar CnIoAs.


Shortly after the conclusion of
peace in 1883 between Great Britain
and the North American Colonies,
which in few years after became
the United States of America, a
project was set on foot to form "The
Society of the Cincinnati to be
composed of the general officers of
the American Army of the Revolu-
ton, 1t was organized in New
York city. Some of the purest
patriots who bore swords in that
memorable struggle being present
and lending counsel and encourage
ment to the movement Washing
ton was made its President-general,
and the honor rendered. He saw
in it anti republican germs, and de-
clined unless the most salient fea-
ture--the Transmission of member
ship by descent-was removed.
This being done, he reluctantly ac
cepted it, and during his lifetime,
the Cincinnati held regular meet
ings. Its draft of organization
made by Knox, Hamilton and
Steuben, never met with popular
favor. 1t was opposed by some of
the more thoughtful and earnest re-
publicans of the day, and the So
ciety, though a nominal one even to
this day we believe, had a sickiy
existence only, even in the shadow
of Washington's great name. 1t is
certain that he distrusted it, and
his assent to patronize it, was coldly
given, and only in Difference to the
warm solicitations of a number of
his distinguished compatriots. His
wise and virtuOus Judgment con
demned it. 1t did mott could not
flourish while the principles which
inspired the constitution Of the
United States were.cherished. The
Society is a thing of history, and
the discussions which it elected,
and under which. it languished, con-
stitute one of the most instructive
and profitable chapters in the his
tory of this country.
In many respects, and only to
discerning and forecasting minds,
was there any objection to such a
society, when. it's aristocratic
features had been purged under the
criticisms of Washington. 1t sought
to cherish no animosities. Its mem
bers were too great Of soul to make
its meetings the occasion of indulg-
ing in taunts against the power
whose naughty domination they
had successfully resisted. Its gen
eral objects were unexceptionable
and cOmmendable. But yet it had
the seeds of mischief in it. 1t went
down under the general voice
esteem and admiration for its pro-
jectOrs and their motives not be-
ing able to save it from the Just
Judgment of people who would
not tolerate the slightest semblance
of a class claiming for itself special
merit and arrogating exclusive
honors.
Viewed from this standpoint,
these societies of the various de-
partments of the United States
army, now in general reunion at
Chicago, and engaged in the work
Of permanent organization are
highly reprehensible. The record
Of their first days proceedings con
firm the first adverse impression
of every intelligent and broadly
patriotic man. 1T will not and
it cannot come to good" that sol
diers in civil war should annually
assemble, and rake the embers of
strife as they were in the speeches
of Tuesday at Chicago. If they
were citizen soldiers, aud so
they claim to be, their work
was done when the war
was over. The contest was
with their fellow-citizens, and was
deplorablc whatever its cause or
wherever its culpability may lie.
1t can serve no wise or useful pur-
pose to perpetuate its remem-
brance by an annual exultation and
taunt. The Southern soldiers and
people are not morbidly sensitive
on this subject. They fought man
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