The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-07-05
Election of Officers of the Virginia Branch
Its Objects.

Election OF omcers of the Virginia Branch
Its Objects.
The properly qualified descendants Of the
members Of the Virginia State Society Of the
Cincinnati have formed temporary or
ganization, and have petitioned the Society
General OF the Cincinnati for recognition.
A meeting Of the members of this society
was held yesterday afternoon at q o'clock,
which was followed by banqnet at the
Westmoreland club. At the meeting the
following officers of the society were re-
elected for the ensuing year Mr.. james
Aston Cabell, president; DIR. Geo. Ben
Johnston, yice-president; Mr.. John Crop
per, treasurer; Mr. j. IL. &. Cabell, secre-
tary.
VERY OLD.
The Cincinnati is one Of the most ancient
historical societies now in existence. Its
governing body is the society general,
which meets triannually in different cities
of the United states where a local society
exists. The last meeting was held in Balti-
more, and the next will be held in Boston,
The officers are: Hon. Hamilton Fish,
president general; Hon. Robert NJ. McLane,
vice-president general; MIR. John Schuyler,
treasurer, and Major Asa Bird Gardiner,
secretary.
The Virginia organization Of this society
is the Oldest in existence, and was Instituted
during the Revolutionary v ar with George
Washington as its president. 1t continued
i'm existence until about the year 1870 when
it was disbanded for political reasons which
no longer exist. Its fund, amounting to
$4,000. was then given TO the Washington
Academy, now the Washington and Lee
University
WHEN FORMED.
On the 10th day of May, 1888, the Cincin-
natl Society was formed. IL is not known
precisely how or by whom the idea was first
conceived. Marshall says General Knox
was the originator, and intimates that
Baron Steuben had something to do with IT.
This is also the opinion Of Sparks. There
was a very excited state Of feeling IN the
army. Ii was near the close OF the war
in some respects the darkest and gl00mlest
davs Of the great struggle. The disband-
ment of the army was near at hand. In a
few weeks or months its members were To
be dismissed forever from the service OF
their country, with but poor prospects oil
support for themselves and families. Pow
erty had made sad work among them.
WashingtOn's letters 10 Congress give "a
dark picture Cf the situation. In letter
to Hamilton he SAYS: "lt ls affirmed 10
me that large proportion OF the officers
have no better prospect before tnem than
Jail.'
The situation continually grew worse,
until the prospects for general military
discomfort in the army became inevitable.
The financial condition OF the army had
also arrived at quite alarming proportions.
UNION OF, E,OFFICERs.
The situation suggested 10 the officers a
uniOn among themselves 10 endure beyond
the reach Of the will os Congress, and even
after they should be disband>d. The future
welfare Of the army was the one all-preVall-
ing thought.
In the early part Of Nay. 1888, proposals
for the establishment Of such an assOcla-
ton had been submitted to the several state
lines of the American army encamped upon
the Hudson. one officer from each line was
informally appointed 10 meet the general OF
fcers on the 10th OF May at Baron steu-
ben's Headquarters to take the matter into
consideration. The result Of their delibera.
| lions was the formation Of the Society OF The
| Cincinnati.
The general society was divided into
| thirteen state societies. The state societies
we're 20 meet at least on the 9TH day OF July
| of each year, and the general society trlen
nially. in May.
|
| 1883 to his death. Since then Alexander
| Hamilton. of New York; Charles Cotes
| worth Pinckney, Of South Carolina
! Thomas PInckney, Of South Carolina; Aaror
| ogden. Of New Jersey; Morgan Lewis, o
| New York: William POpham. OF New
York; Henry A. ;. Dearborn, cf Aassachu
| seets: and (since 1S5i) Hamilton Fish, o
| New York.
THE FRENCH BRANCH.
The French branch Of the society con
tinued 10 flourish until the Reign of Terro
| put an end to neatly every one who had
| earned its decoration. IL was revived II
| 1887, and is presided over by the Marquis
| de ROchambeau, descendant Of the illus
| triOus Frenchman who served with Wash
ington in the Revolution.
| The society encountered "a violent pOlltl
| cal opposition a few months after It's for
nation, which lasted for several years. j
| was declared to he an hereditary aris
| tocracy." Pamphlets and newspaper arti
cIes were write against il Zone by Mira
beau i'm France), ard one or more Of th'
state Legislatures threatened TO disfran
/ chisc its members.
IN VIRGINIA.
From political motives the Virginia 80
| ciety was even liss0l, ed. In 1894 the Con
/ DOtlttl WIZ eh N'~pNH
OF violent persecution aud c threat of tn
| Legislature to dislrarchise its members
Ut has recently been revived, and will ap
ply to the general society for admission IL
May next.) The Rhode Island Society wa
revived and recognized In 1881. The Frencl
Society was also restored IN 1856. The ex
listing societies are Massachusetts, Rhod
Island, New york, New Jersey, Mary land
Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
Some time ago the Virginia Society wa
revived, and the meeting yesterday was
effect temporary organization. which wa
done. The application TO the Society Gen
eraI for the admission 0f the Virginia SC
ciety i'm the chief body was referred to
committee at the last meeting, which wi
report at the next triennial meeting J
Boston.
Declined Dukedoin.
II is stated III II Lord Salisbury decline
the honor Of duk dom fr his services |
a a Il ~. IU