Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-22


TO ORDER AND MAKES GRACEFUL SPEECH OF
WELCOME.
The incIemency Of the weather this morning
did not prevent q large attendance at the Uni
versalists' Church when the second continental
congress Of the National Society Of the Daugh-
tiers Of the American Revolution assembled.
THE daughters Of today, like the fathers Of
the revolution, went on with their work in spite
Of the weather. So amid the flying snow. hur-
ried along before the sharp teeth of cold win
ter wind, the daughters came together. They
found pleasant, attractive place for their meet
ing.
TASTEFUL DECORATIONS.
The church had been beautifully and taste
fully decorated by q committee of ladies, and,
Of course. the American colors formed the main
feature in the scheme Of color with which
the interior glowed and cleaned under
the light Of the gas. The platform
was draped in the American colors and in this
frame the foliage plants. as well as the flowers,
to say nothing Of the officers and the members
Of the board Of management, who occupied
seats on the platform, presented an attractive
picture.
IN MEMoRIAM.
The large chair set apart for the presiding
OulCeT WdH uTdWu 10 one sue anu on IL was
placed an ivy wreath and on white background
Of flowers in letters of blue were inscribed
the words "In Memoriam."a silent but touch
ing tribute Of affection and love to the
memory of Mrs President Harrison, the pres-
dent OF the society, whose death is SO sincere
mourned by all who knew her. As the
delegates came they were met by the ushers,
who were young ladies, and shown to the seats
assigned them.
The body of the house was reserved for dele
gates. while in the galleries a large number Of
spectators witnessed the proceedings. The
session was not begun at the hour stated but
by II o'clock the seats reserved for the dele
gates were nearly all occupied 1t was
estimated that there we're some 200 delegates
present, and al they came from all parts of the
country it is evident that the interest in the
national meeting OF this growing organization
Is very great. The latest membership is esti-
mated to be over $500, and the number Of
chapters is steadily increasing.
MRS. cABELL RAPs FOR ORDER.
When Mrs. William D. Cabell. the vice presi-
dent general presiding, raped for order with
the silver-mounted gavel on the fower-decked
stand, but small impression was made on the
hum and buzz of conversation that filled the
room. The delegates we're standing in the
aisles chatting together and the gentle
tapping OF the gavel at first passed unnoticed.
Then it became more insistent and finally the
that the gavcl had some personal reference to
themselves. When this fact began to be gen.
orally impressed upon the minds Of the dele
gates they sought seats and there was a decided
lull in the tide of conversation. Mrs. Cabell
stood patiently in her place. using the gavel at
intervals, and before long there was sufficient
quiet to enable her to announce that the second
continental congress would come to order.
This was followed bv the introduction Of Mrs.
I. s. Hamlin, the cha lain general, who came
forward and after reading few verses of
Scripture offered fervent prayer, in the course
Of which reference was made to the loss sus-
tanned by the society in the death Of the presi-
dent general, Mrs. Harrison.
COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS
The report of the committee on credentials
was presented by Mrs. George H. Shields. and
az the list of accredi ed delegates was read the
persons whose names were read were requested
to rise in order that it might be known whether
they were present In this way the roll of dele
gates was completed.
The convention adopted recommendation of
the committee on credentials which gave to
chapter regents who represent organized
chapter the right to a seat on the floor, but not
to a vote.
An invitation was extended by the presiding
officer on behalf Of the President and Mrs. Nc
Kee stating that the delegates would be
ceived at the White House Thursday afternoon
at 4:30.
GRACEFUL WELCOME.
After the roll had bt en- prerared Mrs. Cabell.
in graceful words, welcom, I'd the dele
gates to this city. She paid touching
tribute to Mrs. Harrison, and said that
during the first year an effort was made to
injure the society and to dim its prestige
and hampe- its pr gresf, but neither calumny
nor fai ehood coud sway the calm soul of
Mrs. Harrison. She repealed the insinuations
made against the management of the So
cietv and gave freely of her time to
strengthen the new organization. The warm
and hearty words were received with applause.
Then Mrs. Joshua Wilbour, the state regent of
Rhode Island. made a response to the address
Of welcome, and spoke of the patriotic purposes
of the organization. The society arrogated no
special superiority. but they would be false to
e lives of their f. hers if they did not advo-
ca the great prin les of love of country and
love Of humanity.
THE HANDSOME SILVER GAvEL.
Mrs. Cabell took the opportunity during
lull in the proceedings to say something about
the handsome silver gavel which she welded
with SO much grace. 1t was present, she
said, from Ms. Wilborn, the regent of Rhode
Island. The wood was a part of the British
vessel Gospel, which SO exasperated the good
citizens Of Rhode Island during the war of the
revolution that they pluckily organized an ex-
petition and burnt the vessel.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS.
The convention listened with a good deal Of
pleasure to the report Of tn board Of managers,
which was read by the presiding officer, for the
reason that it was, she said, the
record Of growing, prosperous organi-
cation. A point had now been reached
when the society could enter upon the broader