Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-02-19
BY MRS. FRANCES MARTIN, PAST NATION.
DEPARTMENT VICE PRESIDENT.


DEPARTMENT VICE PRESIDENT.
Address of welcome to the eighth de-
partment convention, W.R.C. of Connect
cut:
Ladies of the eighth W.R.C. department
convention of Connecticut-Int the name of
Admiral Foote Woman's Relief corps No.
8 and Henry G. Merwin Relief corps No.
q welcome you to this the birthplace of
the department of Connecticut. It is seven
years since our department was formed.
In olden times there was magical influ-
ence attributed to the number 7. Let us
hope that if any of that influence for good
still attaches itself to this number that we
may receive it's full benefit during the
whole of our session. We have tried to
arrange everything needful for your COM
fort and convenience. If we have failed in
any one thing be assured that it has not
been Intentional. 1t has been our
earnest endeavor to make this
visit so pleasant to you that
you may truly say. "That it has been good
for you to be here" and as the years roll
by, it may remain with you as a pleasant
memory. welcome you to this city. The
homes of those heroes whose names we
hear. Admiral Foote, that staunch hero Of
island No. 10 and in fact of the whole
navigable length of the Mississippi river,
who died in the performance of duty, ano
Henry G. Merwin, the youthful hero, who
gave up his life on that terrible battlefield
of Gettysburgh, where he in his patriotic
zeal had led his regiment far in advance OF
many others. We are justly proud of the
record of these dead heroes, who names
we hear. Again I welcome you, trusting
this eighth department convention may
long be remembered because of it's zeal fol
the right, and its strict adherence to the
watchwords of our order, fraternity, char.
ity and loyalty.
This was responded to in an eloquent
manner by Mrs. M. j. Rogers of Meriden
junior vice president, in behalf of the dele
gates.
RESPONSE OF MRS. ROGERS.
take pleasure,in behalf of the Woman'f
Relief Corps of this department, to tender
to you our heartfelt thanks for the gener.
GUS welcome which you have extended tc
us in such eloquent words. We, of the
different corps for the compliment SC
generously bestowed to us, would in return
salute you and make our lowest bow of
thanks.
Last week had the pleasure of attend
ing the camp fire of the Connecticut
department held in Meriden. The meet
ing was of special significance to US, as it
was the first time in the history of this
department that the Grand Army of Con
necticut had officially invited the relief
corps to be present, and had honored our
leaders with personal invitation
1t came near to being the eleventh hour
when this happened, but we will let it &c
as fifty-nine minutes past ten.
"Better late than never"
The scene was an exceedingly enjoyable
one.
There are no audiences so responsive
and sympathetic as the soldiers, either to
a joke, a pathetic scene or to the we'll re-
membered songs of long ago.
We wish to thank the encampment fol-
the interest which led them to invite US.
We are egotistical enough to think we
deserved the invitation, and only regret
they did not ask us years ago, not SO much
on our own account, but because they have
lost SO much happiness they would have
experienced by our presence and the salts
faction they would have gained by the in
ward approval of doing just right.
Members of the relief corps-We are
gathered here for the purpose of reviewing
the work of the past year, to plan for the
future, and also land not least in import
ance) to elect our officers for the ensuing
year.
The future prosperity and usefulness Of
this order will depend in great degree or
the wisdom with which we discharge oul
duties at this time. Let us, therefore, en-
ter upon the business of this department
in spirit of the fullest fraternity, charity
and loyalty: Resolved, That our every eff.
fort shall be aimed to elevate our standard
and secure to our organization the highest
advancement Of womanhood.
Annie Wittenmeyer, our last national
president, in her address at Boston last
August said: The perpetuity of the gov
eminent depends largely upon the patriot
ism of her women. They are the educat-
ors of the new generation.
It is far more important that we should
have sensible, patriotic mothers than that
we should have gifted statesmen.
Mothers train the masses; statesmen lead
the few.
Our corps, conducted in the right man
ner, are for the mutual advantage of all Of
its members.
We should avail ourselves of this oppor.
tunity to step little higher on the ladde,
of ambition.
Study the principles of the order, the
rules and regulations which govern us, and
from this enlarge your study and find out
some of the public interests of the town O,
city in which you live. The time is al
hand when we must not only be equal
with the men, but superior in many re-
spects.
To our beloved and efficient president,
Mrs. Smith, much credit is due for the
zeal and devotion displayed during the
past year for the welfare and best interests
of our beloved order.
& We are all familiar with the characteris-
tic personality which entered into her
official and general orders There was
never any uncertain ring about them when
read at our corps meetings, and we all
realized their business-like peculia1ities.
The final sentence of the last order is fresh
in my mind, and it ought to be in the
minds of most of our members. II was
article 9, general order No. g.: ~
CORPS presidents are reminded that
there is not an unnecessary sentence in
this order, and thorough understanding
of it is most desirable"
In conclusion I wish to thank the ladies
of Admiral Foote and Henry c. Merwin
corps for the kindness and hospitality ex-
tended in Il true fraternal spirit. May you
be repaid by the union of old friends and