The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-06-22
woMAN1s RELIEF CORPS.
AUXILIARY OF THE GRAND ARMY
OF THE REPUsLlC.
Its Aims and chJects-An Association
with Subordinate Corps in Every
sta5e and Territory.
written for the PRESS by President Kate B.
Sherwood

The Wenian's Relief Corps Auxiliary to the
Grand Army ef the Republic dates its organiza-
ton as a National Association to Denver Colora-
do, July 25th 1888 Under call from Com
mander-in-Chief Paul Van Dervoort the loyal
women Of the Union, representing various auxili-
airy societies, known as leagues, corps aid socie-
ties and ladies' auxiliaries, met at Denver stimuli
taneously with the comrades of the Grand Army
OF the Republic then assembled in Seventeenth
Annual Encampment and agreed upon formal
union, the association to he known under the
name indicated.
In calling such a convention of women, comrade
Van Deryoort was acting under a resolution of
the Fifteenth Annual Encampment, when the fol
lowing was passed, having been presented by a
committee, reporting from the Fourteenth Annual
Rncampment, composed of comrades j. f. Lover
ing, George Brown and b. Crabbs
Resolved, That we approve of the project of
organizing Woman's National Relief Corps.
ResotUed, That such Woman'S Relief CORPS NAV
use under such title, the words "Auxlary to the
q. A. r. by special Endorsement of the National
Encampmept OF the G. A. r.
coNsUMMATTNG THE UNION.
Sixteen States and twenty-sx organizations
were represented in convention, which resolved
itself into committee of the whole, allowing each
State to cast two votes with one delegate at large
The union was contaminated on the basis of the
-
personal relationship to the veterans of the Re
public; and secret organization, working under
ritual. This having been determined it was
voted that the Womans Relief Corps of Massa-
chusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut
banded together under the name of the Union
Board, should be accepted as the form of mode
With such revision of rules and regulations as
would be necessary to the government of nation
al association. The following officers were cleo
ted, the President Secretary and Treasurer being
the officers Of the Union Board:
:, National President-Mrs E. Florence Baker,
Maiden, Mass.
:, National Senior yice-President-M Kate b.
Sherwood, Toledo, Ohio
National Junior Vice-President- T.
Stlnison Denver Col.
= National Secretary-Mrs. Sarah E. Fuller, East
National Treasurer-Mrs Lizabeth A Turner
Boston, Mass.
National nspector-Mrs. Emily Gardiner, Den
National Chaplain-Mrs Matte b. Moulton. La
coma, N. Fl. -1
National conductor-Mrs. p S. Runyan, War
National Guard-Mrs. J. W. Beatson, Rockford.
National Corresponding secretaries-Mrs 7
Iedord, Denver, COL; Mrs. Ellen Pay, Topeka.
Following the completion of the association fine
convention was received before the National En-
campment, convened in Tabor Opera House. tbe
~NSNt5AAANSNs
changed and the following resolutions ultimately
passed having been introduced by Chaplain-in-
Chief Foster:
Resolred, That we cordially hail the orqaniza-
tioh Of National Woman's Relief Corps, and
ertei,a on ti greeting to them We return our
for taeir earnest support and encouragement, and
BID them God speed in their patriotic work
FIRST NATIONAL YEAR.
Thus organized and equipped, with a hearty
ltta.iG Rn1.
in their hearts the Womans Relief Corps az
National organization began its work. Ohio
Kansas New York and Illinois were soon
In line. In the former state the organized Post
auxtliaries reorganized as Relief Corps ready to
enlist heart and soule in National work Mchi-
gan relieved little later, then Maine Wisconsin.
Iowa, Colorado and Indiana. Twelve departments
embracing ninety-six Corps and membership of
l0.eoG closed up the year. At MINNEAPOLIS. at
tho Second Annual Convention. the Woman,s
Relief Corps was especially complimented in the
annual address Of the COMMANDMENT Chief. Rob
est T. Beath and further honored with the priyi
iege Of installing the officers elect on the platform
OF TIE National Encampment, g. A. r. following
me installation of the Encampment officers
SECOND NATIONAL YEAR
The steady substantial and forward growth of
the Womans Relief Corps in the three Quarters
following the Second National Convention IL The
pest sfiuence q tne nrm hold 1t has taken In the
confidence and affections of the Grand Army
And SO we find that with the quarter ending
March 31st our enrollement of over 1000 men,
ed year with 35oo6 volunteer RePpe sre IF pfu tSe
Grand Army. The association now numbers
twenty-five pertinent and three Provisional De-
Connecticut, Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa
i Kansas NMane Michigan Mime
Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin G IP8 regyis,
Washington Territory Nearly ali these dsnart,
nents are efficiently ofilcered and performing most
creditable work.
AIMS AND OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
The motto OF the Woman's Relief Corns ia the
same as that Of the Grand ARMY, aFraternfv
Charity Loyalty though it is essentially an asso
clatlon to assist the Grand Army in providing the
means for the dispensatiOn of soldiers charities
Its first work is for the men who have borne the
battle and for their widows and orphans, After
that for the army nurses and other loyal mothers
OF the war, who gave health and strength TO the
service Of their country, and who are now in their
t old age frlendless and in need They also hold
calamity, and among the contributions to sufferers
from ire and flood and fever, none have worked
more efficiently and promptly than the members
OF the Woman's Relief Corps.
=. wherever organized in connection with Posts of
tne Grand Army OF the Republic, the Relief Corps
nave unused new life and interest into the ranks
OF veterans. With def and loving hands they
nave furnished oftentimes bare halls decorated
the cheerless walls sent the veterans proudly
forth under their bran new banners; provided thee
bounteOus collation. after the long march of Memo
Ilal Day; trimmed the wreaths to rest above the
loWly MOUNDS OF sleeping comrades arranged
Soclals OF song and recitation, and by thousand
iltIle acts such as woman's hand can SO wei ar
range and womans heart devise have made
TertaDle home for the bronzed veterans of many
50 much for their contribution to the upbuilding
OF Fraternity and the administration of Charity
And now comes their great work of Loyalty, EN-
Dra ace IN both and conspicuous over all
me volunteer rule which allows the member
snip OF every royal and loyal woman who
LOVES HER COUNTRY
and cherishes her flag has brought into member
snip very choice number of women, both in and
OUT OF the veterans household, who love the
Union soldier and all that he has done for his
country; They constitute great link between
the ranks OF the Union veteran and the great
army Of the people whose hearts need stirring IN
TO all that has been borne and suffered by the
men who saved their fresides and their homes.
pockets; they train the hundreds of children in
the imperishable lessons of patriotism and truth;
great and wealthy and influential they NAV be- |
come they are but the meanest thing that lives if
M Oh al t sey are crayens or towards They
Cod and that Veneration to the patriot is only |
less L. than the reverence they owe to their Creator
school and the church, and the halls of legislation
HOW THE RELIEF CORPS WORKS.
The subordinate corps owes its first duty to the
Post to which it is auxiliary Its members aid in
it, They visit the sick; find employment for the |
widowed and the dependent children; seek out |
homes for the orphans; provide clothing and food |
and medicine. They help the soldiers widow to
keep her little family around her, realizing there
Is no love like motherlove, and no training like
home-training. Or they secure for the friendless
wallis such advantages as will lead to lives of use
fulness and honor. Or they bury the dead who
would find no resting place but in the potter's |
held, placing neat tablets over Them They |
aid In pecuring pensions; and hundreds of cases
can be enumerated Of evidence secured and diff
cult claims adjusted through the patient and
waiting investigation of quiet workers in the
corps. No statistics can ever account for fine
good performed under that seal of secrecy which
VIII not let the right hand know what the left
hand doeth. But of moneys directly expended by |
the corps, as reported to the National Secretary
the sum aggregates is something commendable |
reaching In three quarters upwards of $4,000,
which falls far short of the amount, owing to i'm
perfect blanks in use; and this makes no estimate
OF clothing and other goods distributed.
NATIONAL RELIEF GUARD.
The National Relief Guard is only in its seed
time stage. ten cent volunteer fund.- started by
the National President seven months ago for
army workers, aggregates to the present time nm
wards of $1,000, a half Of which has been expend-
ed for Anna Ella Carroll, the descendent of Chas.
Carroll OF Carroltown one of the most eminent of
the signers OF the Declaration of
Independence who having performed great
service for her country in the war daVs lie |