The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-03-13

W.R.C department Of your paper. At Convention,
during sessions a little, and between sessions very
much more, and in the nnte-rooms, we heard much
talk that showed another side to what many Of US
had considered settled question, but ilnd there is
much difference of opinion on the subject. ], for
one am sorry, and know voice the sentiment of
others. that the loyal lady question should be
brought to Convention.
We never knew TIL now how the law hnppen-
cd to be made" We were told II was for the sake
of admitting one wealthy aud influential Army
Nurse, whom war had deprived Of the privilege of
being soldiers wife or widow II seems that the
law might have been suspended ia her aYor, II she
was the only wanted, and the lady adopted into
the great family of eligible women But. being u
law, made, and not TO bo repealed il stands.
This State supports M organization OF soldiers
wives, mothers, sisters and daughters. There are
also various independent Corps. and where 30
strong sentiment prevails against loyal ladies y
rs members, why are such Corps working under
National charters? They say they like National
recognition; but what does thnt do ns help" Surely
one branch of the tree can flourish M well a. nm
other, providing all draw their nOurisAment from
the main trunk.
But all over the Union loyal ladies'" are work
ing handin-hhnd with soldiers wives. IL we linn
tied it to mothers, sisters, daughters and wives
who wives during the conflict, who bore the
brunt of the battle ut home in care aud au yicy IL
would be palmer and more just. But marriage ties
arc slippery; one may he soldiers wife this
quarter aud not so tho next, and any Is year old
loyal lady " may angle Tor and catch veteran
fish, and so become eligible. All honor, say, to
the loyal ladies who yielded to the earnest sulicita-
ton Of some OF our members and came ia aud
turned the tide of Corps when it WIS at a low
cbb while soldiers wives. mothers and sisters held
aloof on account of many cares, and the daughters
preferred younger and more lively company The
Post here numbers about so; the Corps ~, and of
these six were admitted ~ loyal ladies. Corps IL
ns free from controversy ~ any ever reported and
IL ~ surprising to hear many cautions in orders
and reports breathing of inward dissatisfaction.
We know nothing of IL at home, or wisely keep
personal feeling locked within our own breasts.
Our Senior and Junior Vice Presidents are loyal
ladies.
What was said mt Convention Will make 1t hard
for us later, even If IL doca not result in the loss Of
all our loyal Indies, and that would mean death To
Corps 4. Our members living miles apart make
regular meetings very uncertain. Loyal ladies
living i'll the village give us quorum.
Should the name of any lady be mentioned
whose admission might prove unpleasant she does
not receive invitation and ii usually takes quite
an amount of coaxing 10 convince even those who
are connected by ties of blood that it IL their duty
10 come In and work with us. The ballot box must
do the rest
can imagine IL possible for person TO fll all
requirements according TO rules aud regulations,
and yet not he desirable q member. Having no
very smart or brilliant ones. we help bear each
others sins, negligence and ignorance, and 20 on
together very pleasantly.
Now, this sentiment against loyal ladies is
purely local. why not keep 1t SO, and at COHyen-
tons which are not local, avoid the subject aud
not subject loyal ladies present 10 Insult by telling
them they are with us but not wanted AT least
let them he treated well as our Augusta Wis
itors, with "a rising vote of welcome and respect.
God bless National President Annie Wittenmyer
Tor her kindly words in their fsyor-Haitc 9.
ADA +. CLARKE FOR DEPARTMENT PREsI-
DENT.
Ada II. Clarke the first Department Secretary OF
Ohio, and an able and continuous worker in De-
partment and National Relief Corps affairs from
the beginning until now, surprised at tire last
meeting of Canton Corps No 4, Canton, o., by a
motion to present her name TO seventh Depart
mcnt Convention OF Ohio, W.R.C., for Department
President The Corps Secretary thus tells the
story:
with own President Ia the chair. bat it was be-
yond our power 10 call special meeting without
her knowledge, and 40 the motion was made and
seconded, when President Clarke stated To the
that such motion would be made aud would
rather not have been present during proceedings
OF this nature yet she nevertheless grateful Ia
her friends FOR this expression Of regard, and
thanked the members who had thus expressed
their appreciation of services rendered by her ia De
pArtmcut and local work W.R.C. Senior Vice
President IyviFa Silver put the motion, which was
responded to by u unanimous affirmative vote
The Corps received the thanks Of President Clarke
IN neat little speech, in which she said that she
had received many requests from Corps ia the
Convention, mud that although SHE had never
sought this honor she lust grateful to those
who desired To confer 10 upon her. and that in the
event of her selection she would endenyor To prove
herself worthy of the honor bestowed upon her
aud the confidence shown in her ability 10 fl This
responsible position. 10 IL the wish Of Canton
Corps, No 4, that this action taken by the Corps
DC copied in the various papers publishing anything
Ia the interests Of the " re, believing that our
Presidents faithful and efficient services in the
various departments Of W.R.t. work has meritei
the recognition ask for her aud we trust tho
Department, which she has already served as See.
rotary aud Counselor and on various committees
will rally Ca her suppOIt.-Alicc NJ. Hex Core
spending Secretary,