New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-15
POPULAR OBSERVATIONS.
MICHIGAN SONS OF THE REVOLUTION
W. H. BREkRLEY ADVISES A CHANGE OBJ POLICY
ON THE PART OF THE SONS OF
THE REVOLUTION.


THE REVOLUTION.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The Michigan Society composed Of descendants
Of Revolutionary ancestors feels that this ongcon-
nued controversy between the s. r. and the S. A. r.
should be stopped.
AS the organization began with the California So
ciety, years before the New York Society s. r.,
was formed, would it not be well TO give weight to
Callforna's advicei If California does not feel the
organization Of the National Society. 3. A. r.. to be
an act Of usurpatlon, upon what grounds can New
York 0bject1 Members Of the 5. r. In New
York City may be unable to answer this, but here.
in Michigan, unable to understand how this can
be done.
We understand that the New-York Society, S. r..
for several years asserted that II, alone, the
National society," and that all State societies must
organize under the NewYork Society," obtaining their
charters from It alone. True, the NewYort Society
moved In the organization Of two three State so
cletes; but this assumption OF exclusive jurisdlc-
ton opposed TO the genius and spirit
of American institutions, and led 10
a movement Of truly National character.
in which all state societies should DO represented
equally. To this meeting for National organization
New York refused to send delegates, although Cali
fornia, the parent society cordially scquiesced. 1t
mny be that members OF the New-Yorik society living
In NewYork City may feel that their position Is one
that be defended before Jury OF those interested
In all the States but to US here in Michigan it looks
II the NewYork society assumed much than II
could maintain. This conclusion is confirmed by the
fact that very recently the New.foraz society has
abandoned its former claim to being the National
ciety,s and has changed its bylaws az 10 eliminate
the Objectionable features This change Is a confession
that the society wrong before. Having withdrawn
the argument. VIC fell to how II maintain the
previous conclusions.
that representative of the S. R. has recently
| ID
by referring to the organization OF the A. r. being
too hurried to admit Of care in the examination Of
credentials cannot speak for the S. A. r. in other
States, but here in Michigan the work Is prosecuted
with great care, and fifty sixty desirable names
being held back until the question Of descent can be
fully established. In this connection allow me to say
that the New-YOrk Society, S. r. shOuld advance the
charge Of undue haste with caution, for II Is by no
means above criticism itself. In proof Of this may
add that have the printed list of members of the
New-York Society, s. r., and notice several names
giving descent from soldiers in the New.Jersey line
also have copy Of New-Jersey in the Revolution
as having ever served from New-Jeftey People who
live in glass houses should not throw stones
the claim OF the Ncw-York Society that it was or
ganzed before the National Society s. A. r., and IS
fail to see It's logic, or understand It's value in the
sense it is offered. II this method Of reasoning is
w vS be f Interior to that Of the state Of SewYor
Was not that state in existence before the National
compact effected by which the thirteen states
were unted7 II may not be pleasant 10 be reminded
of IT, but 1t is matter Of history that New York was
nearly the last state to ratify the Constitution, and
tude and motive seem still to exist and manifest them
selves in this society controversy As II IS not probable
that other States will be willing to admit New-Yorls
superiority the atters refusal to cooperate upon the
basis of the equality OF States is as offensive as 1t Is
untcnable
If the able aud persistent work OF some OF the New
York Society could be applied TO the building up Of
National society, based upon equal representation, the
interests Of the order would be materially advanced
and no one would be more ready to acknowledge the
greatness Of NewYork In all that to constitute
real leadership than W. II. BREARLEY.
| Detroit, Mich. June 10, 1891.