The National tribune., 1883-06-28
LOOKING TO ! UNION,
Further Replies to The Tribune's Cir
cular---GeneraI Auxiliary Work.


The first letter in answer to THE TRIBUNE
circular ofinquiry that we take up this week, Is
one from NJ. A. Horner, corresponding secretary
of the Colonel Prescott Womans Relief Corps, of
Ashland, Mass, under date of June II. Itshows
the writer to be a woman of high intelligence
and rare patriotism, and we give it entire,
hoping she will send us line now and then
on the workings of her organization.
First. "Do we favor National Association for
the extension and protection of womans work IN
the Grand Arny?n
Vast and widespread as is the Grand Army
ganization in the loyal portions of the United
States, even widespread is the call for fraternal
charity and loyalty to the brotherhood OF soldiers
of the Nation. If by national organization-H
by adding woman's wing-thiS work can be
strengthened, suffering saved to the veteran or
his family and orphans, greater patriotism and
loyalty incnleated. we say Unanimously and en-
phaticaly, yes
Second Would you confine the membership
in individual societies to mothers, wives. sisters
and daughters OF soldiers, or would you allow all
loyal women to become members?"
Colonel Prescott Wonan's Relief Corps has
bowed to the mandate of the Department Corps of
Massachusetts, and admits all loyal women, but
the majority of the members are kin to the sol
diers. There surely is a wisdom in admitting the
loyal women and all with the true requisites for
admission-a love for great country, q love for
the men who SO nobly served in her defense, and
ready hand and heart for their needs. 1t is not
justice that the men who fought nobiy, who
gave their best years, the flower of their manhood,
should continue to hold alone the strong lever of
charity, the guardian care for the orphaned and
aged ones. The stay -homes-those who amassed
wealth by the war, and who enjoy the many
blessings that the return of peace and prosperity
gaye--slouid help by their wealth, by their arm
not unnerYed by swamp and fever and the hard
ships of the battlefield. They should now come to
the front. And let the wife, mother and sister
bring their offerings in memory of the brave
husband the son, and brother, whose lives twenty
or more years ago, We're so freely given.
Third Would you make the Society secret
lZatfOu. with ceremonies of initiation and
ritual, or would You have the meeting conducted
openly, according to the rules governing parlia-
mentary bodies?"
Yes to the first. There is-there should be-
breadth, a large heartedness in the work of the
Grand Army that will respect and uphold the man
hood OF the veteran who, brought low by disease
and suffering receives the fraternal aid truly his
due. Hitherto he has given proudly and with u
glad heart. Now he must receive. Is not his
shrinking from public gaze IN receiving this char
ity worthy of respect? 1t is worthy that the
Observation-Disclosures only who suffered together,
this charity. rounded as it is with n broad mantle.
The strength of the great secret organiZa-
tions of the nineteenth century. for it is adj
mitted by Protestant and Catholic clergy alike,
that the Freenlasons Odd Fellows. knights of
Pythas and kindred orgaazat receiving the
support formerly given to the Church alone J
lies III the timely assistance given freely TO
members in need, in tiding over hard places In
business emergencies and days of prostratng sick
ness and consequent suffering. and making needed
provision Tor the closing years of life. And the
secret ritual really embraces rules for the govern
ing of the Order aceordfngto the best parliamentary
forms.
Fourth (" In case of failure to agree on this
question, would you favor the organization of &,
National Society under n constitution that would
allow Individual societies. to accept or reject secret
work at their discretion?Y 7
The same arguments as applied to question No. 1
are equally applicable here What is for the great
est good of the Order? Fcould readily imagine q
town citizens rallying to do charity work for
the soldier in an emergency, to help gala day
but for the work of years, an organization of men
and of women of stamina ls needed, who will
nottire III the labor of one campaign. The very
zest of secrecy would bind some to the work. And
even with the broadcast national organization
much could be left to the wisdom OF the mem hers
of such individual society wherever il may be To-
Gated. In union there is strength. AS the great
oak sending out its many branches IS unswayed
by wind or storm and stands for centuries. even
so one great organization center shall send out
its branches and frutage, and shall stand monu-
ment of the protection and respect of the whole
country. From its wise councils the smallest SUBJ
ordiaate organizations will receive encouragement
and energy to carry on a broader and more extern
siye work.
Fifth Colonel Prescott wornan's Relief Corps.
No l5 will not. in all probability, be represented
at Denver, Colo. NJ A. HoRSER,
Corps Secretary.
FROM THE CAPITAL OF OHIO.
The next letter we take up is from the wife
of Col. C. t. Clark, Commander, Department
of Ohio, and the secretary OF one of the strong
est societies in the State. 1t is as follows.
COLUMBUS, ONO, June 18th, 1ss3
To the Editor NATIONAL TEIBusE:
In answer toyour questions by circular we would
say: First. Our organization docs most heartily
favor National Association for the extension and
perfection of our work.
Second. Membership Of Auxiliary Societies
should extend to all loyal women without regard
| to their relations to the Grand Army, 2
| Third. Meetings of such societies shoud be con-
dneted according to the simplest parliamentary
| rules governing associations for work eschewinc
| all secret ceremonial forms, etc.
| Fourth. Much realize the strength there is
in union we cannot believes constitution so loosely
framed as TO leave oopholes for al manner of in
dscretions, advantageous ostrong. weii-orgsgzed
societies, but would, the contrary, make them
| in measure responsible for the mistakes o
others. We cannet favor union without agreement
Fifth. Our society will be represented al Denver
by its secretary and at least two members of the
| Executive Board
Very respectfully, MIs. G. T. CLARK,
/ Secretary Iyonian's Soldiers Aid Society Auxil
ary TO j. g. Mccoy Post, G.. A. r.
| THE NAPoLEoNIc GUARD.
| NAPOLEON. ONO, June IL, 1888.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
| The Ladies' Auxiliary TO Oscar p Randall Post
No 2ll, Department OF Ohio, instruct as follows il
First We do favor National Association for ths
extension and perfection OF womans work IN ths
| c. A. r.
| Second We would confine the membership ir
individual societies to the mothers, wives sister:
and daughters of soldiers only.
Third. We would make the society secret or
! ganization, with ceremonies of initiation and
ritual and would not have the meetings conducted
| openly according to the rules governing parlia
| nicatary bodies.
Fifth. Our society viii not be represented at tht
| Denver Epcanpmeut.
Yours in f., @. and L., Miss MYSTIC WATSON,
i Corresponding Secretary
PRESENTATION OF FLAG.
HoRYELLsvILLE, June II, 1883.
To the Editor NATtoSAI. TRIBUNE:
I wish to say, through your loyal paper, tha
| Hornelisvilie has 6. A. X. Post, with abou
eighty five members, known as Doty Post, ant
that it is doing nicely. Last April the soldiers
| wives organized Auxiliary TO the Post usins
| Mrs. Sherwood's constitution and bylaws, founs
| in THE TRIBUNE of March 10. The society wen
right to work, and one of their first acts was {.
present the Post with elegant silk banner as III
evidence of their interest in the loyal and patriot
organization and their affection for its principles
| and Objects The presentation speech, by A. +
Hanson ESQ, was highly patriotic. and in th
course of ii he said that such occasions walker
| memories of otlier days, when the soldier boy
| We're presented with flags, some of which are ye
preserved, though their tattered folds smoke
stained and blood-stained, mute witnesses of TIL
mad storm through hthey hadbeen borne. Yo
remember these, he said, and the patient loviu.
hands that wrought flag and clothing, lintan6 band
age, and you do not need new proof of the loyalt.
of woman. Commander Fish called upon Com
rade Tuttle, who responded for the Post, in 81 fey
weIl-ehosen words.
Day, and the ladies rendered good service in pro
viding the flowers. ~ NJ YANE.
ALL ALONG THE LINE