The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-05-10
Make IL a National ordert

In her paper on Womanis Auxiliaries,
Mrs Sherwood discusses, this week, the pro-
priety and wisdom of organizing the various
Ladies Relief Societies into a National body
working under one general constitution
and upon a broad, harmonious plan. As
TO the desirability of such union there can
be, it seems to us. no serious difference of
opinion. If Woman's Auxiliaries are the
helpful, useful organizations that those who
aremost familiar with their operations declare
them TO be, it is clear that they ought to be
established in connection with every Pest of
the Grand Army, and to bring about this re-
suit il is necessary that there should be
perfect understanding among them as to
the way in which the work should be car
ried on. At present 10 such understanding
exists The three principal orders of Aux
Hilary Societies-the Ladies' Relief Corps of
New England, the Loyal Ladies' League of
New jersey, and the Woman's Auxiliaries
of the West--are each independent of the
other, and, while they have common OBJ
jeeb are to all intents and purposes rivals.
Each, within lis own sphere of action. has
accomplished great and noble work, but
their influence has not been felt beyond
their own territory. Thus it has GENE
about that while in some Departments of
the Grand Army these Auxiliaries are rec
ognized as established institutions, and
their Importance fully appreciated, they are
in Others almost entirely unknown. What is
needed, then, is evidently national organi-
zation covering the whole field, and work
ing hand-in-hand with the Grand Army
itself in every Department. To such an
organization the State Societies would stand
Ii the same relation as the Department En-
campments of the Grand Army to the Ma
tional Encampment and, in place of the
present desultory attempts to establish new
Auxiliaries, it would be possible to substi-
tute systematic and comprehensive plan of
missionary work. 1t is not because the
members of the Grand Army are insensi-
bic to the value Of woman's aid that they
have not more generally availed themselves
of it, but because there has been no central
authority to take the initiative. Just as in
the case of the Sons of Veterans it
was found necessary to effect national
organization and establish subordinate di-
visions throughout the country in order to
insure harmonious and comprehensive de-
velopment, so it is essential to the propaga-
ton of Wcman's Auxiliaries that there
should be organized cooperation for that
purpose
The plan which Mrs Sherwood suggests
as likely TO bring this about looks TO the
appointment by Commarder-in-C Chief Van
Dervoort of a commission of representative
ladies from the various Departments to pre-
pare basis for practical union, and it
viii be seen by reference to his last order,
received just as we are about to 20 to press,
that he has already taken the initiative. In
paragraph of the order in question he
says:
THE representatives of Woman Relief Corps and
Auxiliary Societies 10 the Grand Army of the Re-
public arc cordially invited to meet at Denver and
perfect National organization. They should
bring their rituals rules, bylaws and plans of or
gznization, and, if possible, agree on uniform
mode or system Of procedure throughout the coun-
try. ] pledge the noble women who compose these
societies that they viii be warmly greeted and
given all the encouragement possible. Miss Clara
Barton has promised to be present"
1t is true that there are some differ
ences as to form of government and
character of membership to be reconciled,
but the objects of the various societies
are identical, and such conference as is
recommended would doubtless lead to the
adoption ofa plan of organization that would
be acceptable to all interests AT any rate,
the trial is well worth making.