The National tribune., 1884-07-24

the glorious mission of the G. A. &. and its
Ruxiliaries
During the administration Of Gen. Horace
Binney Sargent as Department Commander.of
Massachusetts, q movement towards forming
permanent organization Of the different auxili-
aries in Massachusetts was instigated by A. A.
g. Jas. f. Mech. Securing the cooperation
of tho ladies Of Fitchburg Mass, an invitation
was issued to every auxiliary in the State TO
hold q convention at the aforementioned
place This resulted in the organization Of the
Womau's Relief Corps of Massachusetts, auxili-
AIRY TO the G. A. Z. In the following year the
ladies of New Hampshire united with those Of
Massachusetts. and the organization of the
Union Board was Effected composed of the
Department officers Of each Department.
in 1851 COrps were organized in Connecticut
and a strong effort made 70 enlist the ladies Of
Maine-already organized-to unite with us,
but nothing OF Importance was accomplished.
At the 14th annual EDcampment the subject
Of womans work was again agitated, resulting
IN the appointing of a committee, consisting of
Comrades J. f. Lowering Geo. Bowers, and b.
Crabb. 10 carefully consider the subject and
report al next Encampment.
Al the 18th Encampment, held at lndianapo-
lis 1851, the following resolutions were reported
by the committee and adopted:
EcS0rci. That cordially approve OF tAe sFork
which has already been done by the Moman's Re-
lief Corps an3 every other organization Of loyal
women FOR the fsrtheraDce Of the principles OF
the @. A. E-
ResolUed. That we approve Of the project enter
famed of organizing " Nonlsn's National Eeief
Corps"
Resolued That such Woman's Relief Corps may
rse under such title the words auxiliary 70 the q.
A. r. by special Endorsement Of the National En-
canpinent of the q. A. T., June -, 1881.
During the annual convention, w b. G., De-
md nr fFl-fN M fpf
Van Dergoort visited the convention, and
in most emphatic terms Endorsed the work,
complimenting the ladies ia their earnest
endeavOr for the soldier. assuring them that
the ambition Of his administration was that a
National organization should be perfected. Ihis
was followed by General Order No. II, inviting
al ladies interested 10 meet al Denver and
form National organization.
in response TO this invitation, extended to
every auxiliary in the Union as Ear as known,
16 States responded. After some preliminaries.
the work OF organizing was taken up. Many
earnest remarks were made By Commander
Sn-Chief Van Dervoort Chaplain-in-C Chief
Foster, Gen. Hazard, Of Pa, and Commander
Houghton, of N. j. On motion Of MIS-. Kate B.
Sherwood, Of Ohio it was unanimously voted
70 organize as the I" Woman's National Relief
Corps"
A COMPLIMENT TO MRS. SHERWOOD.
With 26 different organizations represented,
think the result gained very complimentary 70
Romans legislation. and / cannot refrain from
complmenting Mrs Sherwo0d-the pioneer In
the National work-for the position she took
upon that occasion; preferring, as she stated
open work, she gracefully waived point in
fhe interest Of harmony, and advised those
preferrlng open meeting to submit 10 the testl-
noDy Of those having already the experience
Of secret work. Thus, through her endeavor
was one point OF wide difference overcome. Had
the same spirit peryaded the hearts Of all oul
success had been more complete
The question ofloyal ladies involved spirited
debate. The work Of Massachusetts, had already
been adopted, and unlimited membership tho
basis OF organization, New jersey, the only
Department reporting besides Massachusetts,
stated that they could not join with Us, as they
came instructed not TO join the National
organization If that measure prevailed. Here
occurred what many have termed our great
mistake. ] csnnot yet consider IL as such
Here was 2 sister State desiring 10 unite, they
informed Us, but unable 10 DO 50 on account oi
instructions received from cir Department
knowing of their good work and earnest effor
the delegates from Massachusetts felt that nov
was her hour, having received the com plimeni
OF adoption by the convention Of the Massa
chusetts work she could ROW do something K
unite the ladies. From loyal woman having
no kin in the service-Mrs- L. A. Turner
:. came the motion 70 permit Departments Il
decide the question for the following year
thereby giving the Department Of New Jerse,
opportunity 70 unite with Us, trusting tba
thus would be secured entire harmony. Ate
this concession on the part Of Massachusetts,
which they acknowledge most graceful, the,
still stand ai0of. ] think the result, lot th
Resolution. the mistake
AS FIRM AE EVER
Massachusetts, is as firm as ever upon tn
above question; facts have proved beyon'
s doubt that to-day she owes her success
10 loyal women and their work Not ali ioya
men were soldiers; not every loyal woman
soldiers wife.
We are told, as auxiliary TO the @. A r., W
should follow them-Iimit our membership t
the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters.
have never heard the idea advanced that W
should limit the membership TO those wb
were wives daring the war; neither have
heard that the g. A. 2. admit their fathers an
brothers unless they Were soldiers also.
Tais important question must receive OF
most careful consideration. First, let Us re
Enenber we are banded together TO assist th
GA r. Second, we should remember ths1 no
from the soldier alone came all the sacrifice
msny brave woInan'E duty In hospital, yes
O. the march and IN the field hospital, woul
compare in deeds Of yalgr with that Of the So
dieT. To-day mauy soldier 10 the gratitud
of his heart testi6es to the value Of women .
nurses during the war. You tell nc We wi
give then an honorary membership.
But, NY friends, there j. another contestar
for our consideration. Eaviag disposed cf n
nurses, what shall we do with tie Made
through whose veins eOursed the same preu
blood, IL whose heart was the same love
freedom as ia that q her true, manly lover
who, with white lips and almost breakin
heart, folded away the wedding garment
making her sacrifice in the sileEt chambe
whilc she prayed for strength 70 go forth
bid her al good and charge him to renen
ber her prayers werc following, amid shot al
abel, the bTaveEt soldier in tie lana-hers.
And thus q cur noble country
Wen beth be worthy. Let ber show
The future how we made her free
d ot siiariflE home. nor ife.
Nor tais, the heaubrealr.
80 did she iraPart strength 70 him, nlakil
1lm better soldier, tracr man.
PICTURE Prom LTTE.
Who Of rs cannot turn back 70 those days
trial and see the picture from Life.
The beautifui youth
The hcars 0f honor, the tongue Of truth
Bc tle ilg1t ana life 81 a. all.
Hhose voioe was bifie SIS 3 bugie cal
Whom aIl eyus followed with one consent
The oeeer o. whose laugh and whose pieassr
word
Frshed s.li rzlurTaurz of discomfort.
What so5Gier cannot remember tie sequ'
when those loving letters were welcome
sunshine, and no false pride kept the sold
from allowing bis comrades 70 know how
was blessed. And, then, can he recall the f
lowing day work-the result The duty Il
was LIS 70 return 70 the maiden her fnessss