Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-19

ence the twenty-three years since. Here and
there throughout the country various or
CARNATIONS with similar aims have been
started. but little was heard of them until 1873,
when the Forsyth Relief Corps WAS formed in
Toledo. In the east the relief corps COM
menced 10 multiply rapidly and in 1879 all the
Massachusetts bodies of the kind formed q
state organization at a convention held in
Fitchburg. Two years later il took formally
the name of the ..Woman's Relief Corps" As
early as 1870 the Grand Army Of the Republic
had given a passive encouragement to the no.
ton Of auxiliary corps and in 1881 it formally
recognized the order and suggested adding to
its title the further words: Auxiliary to G. A.
r by special Endorsement of the national en-
csmpment. June Is. ISL"
Save for the strengthening bond Of national
formation. the corps was now full fedged.
This was effected at the Denver encampment
In 1883. when the representatives of thirteen
states were present. Mrs. f. Florence Barker
Of the pioneer state organization was elected
the first president
In the past ten years the corps has grown
rapidly and has now about forty state
and national departments, 10000 members
and has discussed in patriotic charities nearly
S5OO.OOO
The national conventions Of the W. R. C.
have been held at the same time and place as
the national encampments and have so far met
at Denver. Minneapolis. Portland, San Fran
cisco. ST Louis, Columbus. Milwaukee, Boston
and Detroit The convention here is held at
Metzerott Hall and the national headquarters
are at the Ebbitt House. About 500 delegates
are expected to be present, at least 100 more
bafo Id
ton.
The organization has had from the start the
cordial support sympathy and counsel Of every
ommsnder-in-ehief. beginning with Paul Van
Dervoort. under whose benefcent auspices il
was organized. He is known in the W. T. C..
sister Pauline" and is one of two gentle
men who have the right 10 enter a meeting of
the corps. 1t is usual always at the opening
session of the national encampment for the G..
A r. to send greetings 10 the W. r. C. Com
rade Van Dervoort is always the bearer Of these
messages and is therefore a welI-known figure
at all the corps conventions.
TIE OBJECTS OF TIE CORPS
The relief corps Is n secret society, having a
ritual, using signs and countersigns. and its
rules are a simpli6ed construction Of those
governing the G. A. r. Its avowed objects
are:
TO specially aid and assist the Grand Army
o; she Republic and TO perpe,uate the memory
Of their heroic dead 10 assist such Union
veterans as need help and protection and to
extend needful aid to their families widows
and Orphans To ind them honest employ
ment and assure them Of sympathy and friend
ship To cherish and emulate the deeds of our
noble army nurses and of all loyal women who
rendered loving service to our country in her
hour of peril To maintain true allegiance to
the United States Of America. To inculcate
lessons Of patriotism and love of country
among our children and in the communities in
which we live. To discountenance whatever
tends TO weaken loyalty and to encourage the
spread Of universal liberty and equal rights to
all"
In furtherance OF these sentiments and TO
give the widest practical relief thu society has
established in the past two years a National
Nomgn's Relief Corps Home at Madison. Ohio,
where army nurses and Dependent. wives.
widows and mothers Of soldiers are received
The property. including land, buildings and
household goods, Is worth nearly s14.0oo The
Oh:0l legislature year ago appropriated
S2jO0o for the erection of a cottage on the
grounds.