New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-11
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
THE REVOLUTION SOCIETIES.

THE REVOLUTION SOCIETIES.
THE VALUE OF ACCURATE RECORDS OF DESCENT
FROM REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.
TO the Editor OF The Tribune
Sr After reading Mr.. Halls article IN last
Fridays Tribune I have to congratulate MN upo"
the great Improvement in the tone oil MS wii'hs
That mary readers Of The Tribune are directly
interested in the dispute OF the two revolutionary
societies must be my excuse for asking the privilege
of q reply. I cannot agree with Mr.. Hall mat IL
free discussion OF our trouble will tend to CONFUSE
the issue ON the contrary. 1t Is already clearing
somewhat; nor do / believe with him. that HIT
discussion will lead 10 such disputalons ana an
tagonlstIc frame OF mind, as did the scurriious
enuson Of February "a, IN which a body OF u.s.
unguished gentlemen accused Of "suppressne
the truth vnfairness lacking honesty and courage
am heartily glad to hear thut the 5. A. H. now
have q pedigree, thanks to DR.. GOode though the
method OF organizing without one must elways re-
main a reproach, but ] am surprised, nfcr MI
Halls eloquent appcal-"Let no man think that
the s. A. r. Is afraid to show Its records Ihcy nave
now magnificent set Of records Of proved eligblity
20 membership. They not afraid to show them -
TO learn that even Mr.. Hall doubts his access 10
them How did he assure himself OF their accuracy
This is In sad contrast With the experience Of MI
CregaY, late historian general OF tho 3. A. H. ~
report 10 his society. speaking OF the sons OF h'
Revolution, he says That organization has always
maintained high standard as regards membership
qualifications. and has undoubtedly carried on the
work OF organization In careful and conservative
manner Their publications. containing as they do
carefully prepared membership hsts With full de-
tails as 10 the names. rank and revolutionary ser
vices OF their members ancestors. sufficiently demon
strae this fact 10 any Impartial ana unpreIuuioeu
mind. ! am glad TO say however. that my con-
illusions arc not drawn solely from these puohca-
tons. but I have had tho privilege OF maRihg I"
thorough examination Of the original membership
records and other proofs OF eligibility in the custody
OF the several societies OF the sons OF the Revolution
and that have been thoroughly impressed with the
caro- which the officers and managers OF those soccues
have taken TO maintain high standard OF member
sldp qualification and TO collect records wNch
cannot fail 10 be honor TO the society ana
great aid 70 historical and genealogical studen's'
This added 10 the quotations in nv last letter. IRON
the repot OF the same member Of the s. a. r..
that the difference In the two Organiza
lions exists very largely In the fact OF the D. H. re-
Quring candidates to appear with genuine pedisree
when seeking admission 10 the society instead OF ad
hitting them Grst and then supplying decrochezmoi
pedlcrce and records by Dr. George Brown Coode OF
the Smithsonian. Again Mr.. Crcsar says, and nave
further testimony TO the fact: "a general officer Of
tho : A. H. desiring 10 establish branch OF that
society In the State OF Pennsylvania issued mani
fssto in which the names OF two distinguished rove
nltionary patriots misspelied, ana invited
scotchman By birth and ancestry to establish
branch OF the society in that State AS nis same
general officer figures largely In Mr.. Halls history Of
the $ H. rs the organizer OF State societies. II prob
ably accounts for the circumstance That some Oh tnem
are purely paper organizations
Mr.. Hall claims that SIR. Cregar's criticism re-
ferred 20 only few Of their State societies. On
line H. page Z. Of the latter Gcnuemans report II
l. stated: "Thc archives OF the national society fall
uf,hf no
other state societies. II Is almost needless TO state
that Mr. Cregars resolutions accompanying bis report
(h,ch contained recommendation TO require n can
dldates 10 make aidavit that they u least believed
their applications TO be correct. ana winch wouiu nave
wiped out SO much OF the 1000. were rejected
can assure Mr. Hall that feeling OF doubt regarding
the Accuracy OF membership records OF the 5. A. X
.rsvaYs very generally among the members OF the
alder society aud Il vail probably continue to pre-
vail unit, such complete lists are published as those
Of the sons Of the Revolution. KumoI has T. that
IN Connecticut women qualify q. Sons and descend
ants OF contractors for army trains are admitted
.s descendants Of mai WACO" '"Vs''
Mr. Mail said. commencing on line 90 Of his Art
Of membership should By revised BY special commit.
tee, q proceeding for which no committee could 9ave
S sS.s iseii leaving he upon
Tor membership sS.Cluteiy TO the state .oee,ies'
tract from the absurdity OF leaving further quanca
tion, for membership societies that were originally
worthless. Mr.. Hall Is In error when he says tlat
both sides adopted the constitution Mr.. Talmadge
doubted their authority Us delegates to adopt the new
constitution without previously submitting II to the
state societies. and 10 meet This objection resolution
was passed recommending Its adoption. N was the
careless reading OF this resolution by the $. a. H.
committee that caused much Of the confusion.
My offer made In good faith. though Ger.
taIny confess doubt about Its acceptance but
not Tor the reason assigned by Mr.. Hall. tl0ught
figures largely exaggerated regarding the members OF
the s. a. r. knew them to be grossly misleading In
regard to the S. r.. and l doubted II be could sub
stantIae the former but "vox faucbus haesit" and
stand amazed TO learn that who has published
and sold histories and Jlsts Of the 5. A. H.. and who
he has to or authority 20 copy such lists The
lists. far as MIR. Hals book goes Will be carefully
scrutnized. and promise tie result TO The Tribune
at q future date.
When the committee from the S. A. r. reported
that they had adopted the constitution. with
proviso rsservng the right TO change II few minutes
later did the s. r. delegates regard II AS a cause
for dssoutionf No. thoy remained ut their posts until
after the s. a: X. had adjourned II Is not 40 much
n question Who responsible for the failure 10
nnici" as II Is Of "What caused such fainref"
And Il cannot b. denied that union defeated by
The refusal Of the S. A. R. IN consider proposition
submitting the revision OF 10th lists to an impartial
commission.
In conclusion I would state that the Sons N the
Revolution In the Stat OF N"w-York now number
900 they celebrate anniversaries OF important rcv0
MtIonary events Of this state with appropriate
monies: they have erec ted and continue 10 erect
bronze m emornl tablets 10 mark the localities Of
n statue which. In conception and execution. Is II