The National tribune., 1883-08-16
LOYAL WOMBNS WORK
Review Of the Work Done at Denver.
Our Experience Meeting.


Leagues came together, representing such
variety Of views as to the plan of work, and so
widely at variance upon the eligibility ques-
tion ii was feared by the wisest heads that
serious disagreement would prevent amy feas-
ible plan Of unifcation. Indeed, some OF the
comrades, whose Faith in woman's organizations
had been shaken by previous observation, pre-
dicted that no organization was possible. But
It is safe 10 say that the great leaders In the
movement knew what they were about, and
were determined that they would not go home
until a union was accomplished which would
IN the end be acceptable TO all parts OF the
country, and not only reflect credit upon the
women OF America but honor and glory upon
the Grand Army of the Republic, Of which
they are proud TO be but simple helpers.
Upon assembling the condition OF affairs was
found 10 be like this: There were present.
first, delegation representing the Union Board
of the Womans Relief Corps of New England,
with organizations IN eight States; second,
representation of what is known as the open
Auxiliary work, on the Toledo plan, with IN
dependent organizations IN sixteen States;
third, representations of the Loyal Ladies
League Of New Jersey. State association, with
some fourteen cooperative corps; iourtns a
half dozen independent associations, working
under various names but whose work had not
extended beyond their own particular locail-
ties
THE RESULT OF MUTUAL CONCESSIONS.
What was from the first apparent was this,
that each organization should yield point in
the interest of harmony and TO the fact that this
spirit was in the ascendency must be traced
the entire success of what seemed formidable
experiment The temporary organization was
fortunate in having for its presiding officer
Mrs. e. Florence Barker, a lady not only
well up IN parliamentary law, but a woman of
clear head cool Judgment, and equable poise,
and
duties ia a manner that ultimately called forth
the warmeSt praises, even from those whose
factious spirit made her position most difficult
and trying one For truly the conflict upon
both the eligibility question and secret work
was contested inch by inch though 1t was very
soon apparent that the advocates of the mem
bership of all loyal wemen and of some form
of secret work were decidedly in the majority.
Mrs. Barker, upon opening the meeting, and
after it had resolved Itself into a committee of
the whole, called upon Mrs Sherwood, as one
who, through her connection with THE Ma
TIONAL TRIBUNE, had studied the work in all
its bearings, TO make a statement 20 the con-
vention of all she had learned through a wide
discussion ef the subject, both by private and
public correspondence. This being done, the
work OF the various societies was set forth by
the special champions of each. The conclusion
reached by MFs. Sherwood was this, which was
substantially set forth in the columns Of THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE prior to the Denver En-
campment First, that the demands Of the hour
were for secret work; and, second, for an
organization broad enough for the admission of
ali loyal women. As the representative and
organizer OF 10 Auxiliaries on the open work
plan, she therefore proposed, in the interest OF
harmony, 10 forego, in behalf of these, her OBJ
lection TO the secret work, and called upon the
advocates Of secret work on the close commun-
ion plan to give up their contest for exclusive
membership. as then all differences might be
readily harmonized. She iurther proposed, that
ss the New England Woman's Relief Corps was
the Oldest, strongest, and best organized body
Of woman workers, their work be adopted as
a basis f0r the National Woman's Relief Corps
This line of policy finally prevailed and to-day
the Grand Army of the Republic is supple
mented by working Auxiliary as high in
character. us complete in its work presented
and as universal in Its application as the grand
Order Itself
The work of the New England Relief Corps
has been five times revised. Ii is under the
control Of broad, liberal, progressive and pa
trlOtic women. Its growth has been steadily
upward, and il is to-day the strong right arm
of the Grand Army Of the East. But it musi
not be understood that the New England Board
is Synonymous with the National Relief Corps
even though the executive officers for the init
atory year have been made the same. 1t is only
the form of work which has been adopted: the
of all the States from Maine to Mexico.
THE OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE
AS was remarked in the beginning, the out
look for the National organization is most en-
couraging OF all the Department Command
ers In all the States, there are bat one or TIVE
who are not heartily IN sympathy with the or
ganiation, while General Beath, the Com
Inander-in-Chief, has pledged, not only pub
lcly in the Encampment but privately to thi
officers, his hearty cooperation and support
Mrs. Beath who is the president Of an ACTIVE
Philadelphia Auxiliary, although at first differ
ing as 10 the plan OF organization, unites witt
the majority and VIII lend her aid IL organic
ing the State. Ia Missouri and Kentucky grea
interest prevails. The loyal women have IA
more powerful advocate than in the Senior Vic
Commander, General Warner, of Missouri
while we are Informed by the gallant goloue
Sterrett Of St Joseph. No, that no less thar
fifty Posts in thar State are ready TO organic
MOmans AuXiliaries and have only been wait
ing the action Of the Denver conference. w
have equally encouraging news from the De
p2rtments OF Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska
and Minnesota.
Among those who have expressed special in
terest in the work. and have extended con
gratDlatons over the result, is Colonel P. "
Wilcox, Chief Mastering Officer. Departmen
Of Illinois, Post No l35, Mendoza. The Colo
mel expressed himself as particularly desirou
Tor the recognition OF al loyal women, becaus
OF his grateful recollection OF the services ren
dered him while lying wounded in the frs
fight at Belmont, IN front OF Fort Donolson, b
Mother Mittenmeyer, q celebrated army nurs
who went out from Ke0llul1 Iowa, and on
whose name is emblazoned IN letters Of Igi
upon the tablets Of her countTy's history
Colonel Wilcox is an active Grand Army ma
and a warm friend Of TIE NATIONAL TRII
UNE having mustered sixty Posts in Illinoi
upon applications received through THE TRn
UNE. he was a member Of the old fghtin
reEiment-tile Second IOwa-which rartic
pated in fifty-five Eard-fOught engagements
the war. Of Mother Wittenmeyer, now ei
roled among the saints, Heaven bless b,
memory and Of her grand work ia organi
ing aid societies and Sanitary work Ia th
West, while she worked untirngly Ia the ho
pitals at the front, more anon, in our histOr
OF army nurses.
OTHER ENTHUSIASTIC AIDS.
Among other enthusiastic aids upon ,Ehol
the ladies may rely for hearty cooperation al
j. Potter Dustin, Cincinnati, Ohio Commando
Millich Posi- Charles b. Hyde, Senior Music
ing Officer, Department Of Illinois James Z
Shields Post, Galesburg; J. J.. Richardson, Al
sistant Quartermaster-General Department
Illinois, Galesburg; II. z. Risdon, Omaha Pos
Omaha Nebraska; A. ]. Hobart Clinton Iogx
Medical Director, Department Of Iowa; Wi
lam Strlblln, Commander, Custer Post s
Joseph, No.: John w Armstrong. St J
No; L. b. Brown, editor of the Courier Zane
vile, Ohio; Geo. B. Hogia, Past Departnel
Commander. Newton Iowa Fol a u