The National tribune., 1883-06-21

At the National Encampment of the O.. A.. r. In
June, 1884, at Indianapolis In compliance with the
request OF the loyal women OF Massachusetts, who
were interested in the cause OF the veteran soldier
and sailor, resolution was offered by Chaplain-in-
Chief Rev. Joseph F. Lowering, and unanimously
adopted, recognizing Woman's National Relief
Corps, and authorizing them to use tho above as
the running title of tho Order. But though we
then felt the Importance of such organization,
yet 1t seemed the women of our land were not pre-
pared to perfect such an Order at that time, and
hence we have waited, and while waiting have
been using every effort to arouse an interest in the
subject wherever and whenever opportunity has
been presented. During the year 1881 / wrote
more than one hundred letters to those supposed
to be interested in this soldier work. Among the
number l wrote to thirteen Department Com
manders, and from nine of them received most
cordial answers and promise OF aid and indorse-
ment, and now, am happy to know, the Com
mander-in- Chief of the G. A. R. has invited repre-
sentatives of all Woman's Auxiliaries TO unite and
form a National Organization.
In an editorial in The TRIBUNE of May 3lst 1t Ia
thought the New England Auxiaries admit to
membership only those akin to soldier sailor.
This is o mistake; for Massachusetts, New Hamp-
shire and Connecticut gladly welcome every loyal
woman of good moral character. We join hands
with Mrs. Sherwood on that question as on many
Others. But we think our experience of five years
has demonstrated the fact that form OF ritual with
ceremonies of initiation and service of installation
of officers which may be either public private,
with signs and words sufficient for our protec-
ton and recognition OF members every where, will
sustain interest in meetings and secure a
much larger average attendance, than open busi-
ness meetings conducted according to parliament
ary bodies. But am aware that many ladies OBJ
Ject to a secret organization with the form of an
oath, etc. and we frankly say to all such that the
obligation of Order is that the most devout
Christian woman need not hesitate to assume, and
the secret work is mainly that the knowledge of
our aims-g giving must be kept sacred within our
doors, that the proudest of all American citizens"
the soldier and sailor who fought to defend his
country honor, could not object to receiving aid
and help when it would never be known to the
world Therefore, earnestly hope the women of
"a St n and may b<s Qb a
to meet on common ground and unite in an organ
ization that will afford its members great pleasure
broad land, and by a commendab1e rivalry, each
with the other produce grand results in aid Of the
veterans who wore the blue"
That there is variety of opinions as to the best
way to produce these results am well aware but
/ hope to the matter fully discussed, so that
whoever attends the convention at Denver may be
prepared talk act, and vote intelligently, having
the best good of the largest number at heart. [
confess fail to see how National Society could
be a success and allow local societies to any
form of work, or no forms at ALL except that iufor
nation results and general statistics would be
interesting to us ali. viii ssElc one suggest some
plan? am fully convinced that without perfect
system and method we can never attain the best
results.
am unable, az yet, to state whether the Depart
ment of Massachusetts or the Union Board, Wo-
mans Relief Corps, will be represented at Denver,
but we are to hold meeting III . few days to take
action in the matter, and will report the result TO
you. will mail with this copy of our rules and
regulations, and desire to call your special atten-
ton to them, that you may fully understand our
methods of work. have written at length, feel
ing it duty to place before your readers, in some
way, an organization of which am proud to be a
member, believing the work has been educator,
fitting women hitherto ali unused to the trans
action OF business to properly carry on important
meetings and carefully expend large OF
money, which n generous public has contributed
to our treasury, and enabled us to carry light sum
shine and comfort to many desela.e homes.
Yours, very respectfully, SARAH e. FULLER,
Secretary Union Board, Woman's Relief Corps.