The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-07-12
IN FAVOR OF A UNION.
Further Replies to The Tribune's
Circular to Woman's AuXiliaries.


In addition to those already published, we
have received the following replies to IHE
TRIBUNE's circular concerning the advisabllIty
of organizing a National Union Of Womans
Auxiliaries at the coming Denver Conference
WARSAW, ND June 20, 1888
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
The Grand Lodge of the Ladies' Relief Corps OF
the CT. A. II. of the State OF Indiana, located Mt
Warsaw, favor National Association for the ex-
tension and perfection of womans work in the
e. A r. While mans charity and benevolence is
ever free and full, who but woman has been ena-
bled to hunt out the widows aud orphans, and help
In many ways in which it would be impossible Tor
men to WORK? This work pleads strong Tor our
cause We are in favor of limiting the member
ship TO the mothers wives, sisters, and daughters
for many We might ask: Why does not
the G.. 4. Il. admit all loyal men? And would 1t not
be impossible to arouse very deep interest In a
woman at this time who has never mad 1athef,
husband, or brother, to relate to her the dread
| reality of the great conflict through which they
| passed? Benevolent work being SO great even in
our little city we think it much better to have
more societies. SO that the greatest possible number
may be interested. We have the Ladies' Benevo-
lent Society with US, which has and is doing good
| work. While our membership is limited We are
| in full sympathy with the objects and aims of
theirs We feel ourselves especially PLEDGED TO ald
and assist the widows and orphans of deceased
soldiers, sailors and aid the q. A. K. in any
form that lies in our power.
We have secret work, with ceremonies of init
alton, and fully and completely organized as
| are The G. A r. We favor this form, and think it
not oniv interesting and ENJOYABLE but vast help
TO any lady it instructs in forms and uses OF
| which to n great extent ignorant We be-
heve in forms when used with Judgment.
/ We would favor National Organization, under
constitution that would leave the matter of secret
| work to the choice of individual societies.
We are very anxious to be represented at Denver,
but cannot say certain to whether shall be or
not. Mrs. f. E. OLNEY. W. q. y.
CARTHAGE, N Y, June %, 1883.
To the Editor NATIONAL. TRIBITNE.
We are in favor of a National Organization but
would confine the membership in individual soeie-
ment against this exclusiveness IS: Many efficient
loyal women would be excluded, who would gladly
cooperate in the grand work of the q. A. X and
its auxiiiaries. Just SO, there are loyal men and
true, who would gladly step into the ranks and be
| active workers in the G. A. R. But are they adj
mitted? By no means. They are rightly excluded,
because their admission would detract from the
sig ifcance of the Order. Not long since we heard
a clergyman addressing company of soldiers,
when, referring to another clergyman sitting by
his side, who was member OF the G: A. r., he
said, Il envy my brother here the right to call
you comrades" Nor is this an exception. Many
whose hearts swell with loyalty are anxious of the
right to this fraternity.
Opening the doors of the Auxiliaries, in view ofthe
relation they sustain to the G.. a r., destroys the
significance of the ties binding us together in this
grand sisterhood. When the boys in blue ~ go
marching by, whose heart beats SO quickly whose
blood goes thrilling through every fiber, who is SO
in sympathy with their plans and work, or who so
interested in their veal woe, the soldiers wife
or mother?
We would have secret organization, with cere-
monies of initiation and ritual. We would not
favor the organization of National Society under
constitution that would allow individual societies
to accept reject secret work at their discretion.
As so many opinions are being given through The
TRIBUNE, the general sentiment is being reached,
and at the National Encainpment at Denver it can
easily be decided the majority ruling.
Yours respectfully, Mrs. A A. FORD.
WILL GO To DENVER.
ST PAUL. NEB June g. 1888.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
First Our Auxiliary not only favor National
Organization, but deem it necessary to the perfec-
| ton of the work in which engaged.
Second. We would not confne the membership
to any especial class, except loyal women of suti-
GENTLY mature years to be able to understand the
nature of the obligation assumed.
Third We would make the society secret or
ganization, with initiatory ceremonies ritual pass
word, obligation, etc., that might not only Sc
cure harmony and uniformity OF action, but, as IN
that beautiful order of Adaptive Masonry Order OF
able to make ourselves known to each other wher-
ever and whenever we may meet be it in our own
band a visitor to another, and be sure of SIS
terly greeting counsel and aid for the sake OF the
noble work to which we mutually pledged.
Fourth. We would not favor the organization OF
l. National Society based upon two foundations
|, for should some of the individual societies be Sc
cret while others are open, there could exist no
harmony of action, while with an uniform obga-
ticn plan of work, etc. not only societies, but in
dividual members would feel, in discharging any
prescribed duty, they actingin perfect concert
with the great BODY OF workers constituting the
National Organization. Let US have plan of work
simple and attractive; so pure that no woman viii
fail appreciate its worth, yet binding to
empt us from critical, pryiny outsiders who have
no sympathy whatever with our loyal patriotic
work.
Fifth. Our society will be represented in Denver
Very truly, yours,
Mrs. LOUISE NJ. MURILL,
Pres't Candy Post Womans Aux'y, st. Paul, Neb
, PERSONAL LOYALTY THE ONLY TEST.
MIrEsBuRG CENTRE Co., Pa, June 49, 1888.
To the EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
First. We do favor National Association O
Woman's Auxiliary Societies.
Second: We would not in any case confine tn,
membership to mothers, wives, sisters, and daugh
tiers of soldiers. There are many who could anC
would help in these societies who would be dc
, barred by such restrictions and from fault o
their own. How many, very many, during tho
dark and dangerous days of the sixties worked
night and day, in every way and on every oppor
tunity for the relief of soldiers of those times ye
? were not mothers, wives, sisters daughters o
soldiers nor had opportunity to be so? IL is tn,
case now, and as they were not prevented from do
ing then, neither should they be prevented now
and, in our opinion q. A r. Auxiliaries viii neve
become recognized as national unless all good ant
true women are admitted to membership. 1t woult
be and is shame to make any such distinction
o these days.
y Third. Do not make the society secret but ALLOW
, none to participate in the meetings who did no
actually join, sign the roll, and pay the fee if an,
. charged. Then all women having a chance to joiI
and do not it is their fault and not the fault of TIT
: society.
Fourth. Nothing but a National Society Shout,
be recognized by the G. a r. and to worl
under the same rules all over the United States
!. and that Is the only kind OF society that viii
prosper and become of national use. Look at tn
is success of the G. A. X. working under one set O
rules and regulations, Where are the Sons of Vet
:. Grams under many, and in many divisions?
. Fifth. Our society will not be represented n
Z | Denver Lave not the money to send representa-