The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-08-13
RELIEF CORPS.
The Ninth National Convention.
Growth OF the Order.

Growth OF the Order.
The Ninth National Convention Woman's
Relief Corps-Mary Sears MclIenry, National
/ President, in the Chair-opened in the Church
of Our Father, Detroit, Wednesday, Aug. 8. at
/ 10 o'clock q. IN. The singing Of :" My Country,
'Tis Of Thee" was followed by prayer by
National Chaplain Littlefeld. concluding with
the Lords Prayer, the whole Convention
uniting. The roll of officers was called, all re-
spending 10 their names, except Ella Powell,
National Inspector, detained in Kansas by ill
ness When the Past National Presidents
were called it was found that the first National
President, f. Florence Barker. Maiden, Mass :;
the third National President, Sarah L. Fuller,
Modford, Mass, and the fifth National Presi-
dent, Elizabeth Darcy Kline, were all absent.
Great regret was expressed by tho delegates as
sembled over the absence OF these great leaders.
At this stage Past Commander in-C Chief Paul
Van Der Wort, the only comrade holding
honorary membership in the National Woman's
Relief Corps was announced and conducted to
the platform by Department President Augusta
A. Wales, Of Massachusetts,. In his usual ring
ing tones he extended greetings TO tho COuyGn-
ton, complmented them npon their magnif-
cent work Of the year, and babe them God
speed. lie closed with an invitation 10 the
Relief Corps to join the Grand Army in an
annual conclave next year at Lincoln, Neb.
Great enthusiasm attended his visit. Prcsi-
dent Prentiss, Of Potomac Corps, Washington,
in behalf Of q committee Of citizens, presented
an invitation to the ladies to come to Washing
ton in 1892. Both request and invitation were
upon motion laid upon the table, pending ac-
ton by the GAR. Encampment.
Kate j. Sherwood, Chairman National PEN
sion Committee, read tho following letter from
Mrs. John A. Logan:
WASHINGTON, ID. C.. July 25 1921.
MY DEAR MRs. SHERWOOD: On my return home
] found Your kind notice Of the meeting II the Ma
iional Pension Committee at Detroit. am very
sorry that il will not be possible for me to attend
tie annual Incampmeut this year You know
what a grief this is 10 nae, because always feel
how uncertain life Is, aud that each year may be
the last.
Think how true the prophetic words Of Gen.
sherman; 81 shall not bc here to attend the meet
ing AT Dctrostn Poor dear old hero! I was much
affected by lars depressed feelings at Boston. lie
talked in such n melancholy way 20 Mrs. AlEeT
aud myself That we both felt very bad
You may explain 10 the ladies the impossibiity OF
my being with you.
Here Mrs. sherwood said: Ladies. will say
that only the hottest family duties, 81 birth or AZ
Death would deian Mrs. Logan. She ls-with
happiest eEpeciaiions-Etiending her daughter,
Mrs. Maj Tncler''l
Give INV love TO the W r C. and all my " armest
greetings aud very best wishes for the continual
prosperity aud usefulness II the Order and with
devoted affection Tor your own dear self
"' . ~ ''' MSHT Any 4. LooAS.
After reading this letter Mrs Sherwood
presented the following greeting, which was
adopted 10y rising vote:
Greeting 81 ninth National Convention "a their
revcred add loved sister aud wife 81 ex- Command
crin-Chicf john A. Logan, blessed in memory:
Nay gracious peace spread her shelieriug wings
over her and hers this day.
Greetings were sent TO Past National Presi.
dents Barker, Fuller, Knne aud others.
On motion Of Past Department President
Mary J.. Knowles lass } Clara Barton, Presi-
dent Of the Red Cross Association, was intro
dnCed from the form, and briefly addressed
the Convention in her beautiful, womanly way.
On motion OF Kate b. Sherwood, seconded by
Lizabeth A. Turner, Harricltc l.. Reed aud
others. IL was voted To carry the names Of Past
Commaudcr-in-Chief Van Der Wort and Clara
Barton on the rOll-call Of the WRC per-
pctualy. Adopted by a rising vote with great
enthusiasm and waving Of handkc-cbiels the
galleries rising spontaneously with the Door.
The address n National President MclIenry
WAS followed by the reports Of the National
Secretary and National Treasurer. By vote Of
Convention all other reports were submitted
20 committees without "A reading, and printed
copies distributed 70 delegates. The Presidents
address will be given later. She reported that
Corps have now been organized in every State
except Alabama, and ia all but three Terri
] tories Even Canada has lis Post and auxiliary
! Corps 'Gen. Hancock GAR and WRC.,
] Montreal attached 10 the Department Of New
York. There are - Corps auxiliary to colored
/ Posts ia the E0uib bern States
From the report OF the National Secretary,
Hannah r. Plympton, We have the following
statistical summary: