New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-24
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAILS.
NOT THE FAULT OF THE S. AR
WHY THE TWO REVOLUTIONARY SOCIETIES
FAILED TO UNITE.

FAILED TO UNITE.
TO the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: The explanation given by the Sons Of the
Revolution at their banquet, Wednesday night OF thP
failure to unite with the > A. r.. last week will as
found every son OF the American Revolution. There
are many honorable men In the private membership VI
the Sons OF tine Revolution Can it be possible that
they will sustain board OF officers, who themselves
deliberately make union a fiat failure. and who now,
by suppression OF tho truth. seek to throw the blame
on other shoulders! The officers Of the Sons OF the
Revolution say the two societies did not nnit because
the Sons OF the American Revolution would not submit
their records Of membership to inspection. LIT me
mention two facts which are not referred In
that statement.
The plan of union was drawn up By a committee Of
seven 5. A. r. men and ten s. II. men. They aborel
over II for four months. The S. II. men absolutely
had their way In the conferences, and everything
they wanted was put into the plan OF union. The
plan was reported 10 the two conventions last week.
1t provided, among other things, that when adopted BY
both societies the two societies should meet in jNat
convention IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER" red irm
the constitution elect officers and adjourn. The
Sons Of the American Revolution wanted TO amend the
constitution and sent word hon0rably and square1y
to tho other society Frederick s. Tamadge, presi
dent OF the New-YOrk sons OF the Revolution, came
down AT the head OF n committee and made long and
earnest spch stating that the s. II. had voted tcr the
constitution and implorlng the 6. A. r. to waive
its desire amend that document and adopt It without
amendment lie said, among other things:
"Thls meeting. understand 1t, Is TO ADOPT
reject this constitution and II there is anything
imperfect about lot it be made right ut some future
time Put when are just upon the eve OF uniting
under the roof, with our hearts beating almost
one, don't let MS for a triilng objection leave
and part tonight, perhaps to meet no more.
EVERY POSSIBLE GROUND WAS GONE OVER IN
ND
adopted unanimously. Away with debate! Away
with amendments Let the future take Of itself.
Let us unite. with name and country
This long speech accepted as meaning what
II said. Mr. Tallmadge left the room and the S. A. II.
convention Immediately complied with his wish, and,
great sacrifice Of Its feelings, waived is right
to amend adopted the constitution and plan verbatim
and word to that effect to the Sons OF the Revo-
luton. Mr. Tallmadce sent back word that ave Will
be down in FIVE minutes to into Joint convention,
unite complete the business and 60 home Did they
do that2 No What did they do7
Just before o'clock, when daylight was almost
gone, and after nearly two hours delay, when every
expecting the other society TO appear for
the Joint convention some 8. r. entered the S, A.
r. convention. Believing that the 6. r. convention was
coming, the ). A. II. to their feet In a body
and began to applaud. Some one called ont, TOO
previous, gentlemen; take your seas" The new
corners were n new committee from the s. r.
u0n They took the moor ana IN bel0f OF their society
THEMSELVES PROPOSED AN ADJOURNMENT.
WITHOUT UNION for two months and meanwhile
the lists Of membership OF both societies to be revised
by special committee~a proceeding for which no
committee could possibly have any authority the
constitution Just adopted by boh bodies itself leav
ing the decision upon qualifications for membership
absolutely to the State societies. This proposition
was regarded by the 5. A. r. convention direct
break Of faith, yelling some purpose not announced,
and a movement to gain mn advantage OF some
scrt which the S. r. did not have the honesty and
courage to avow The $. a. II. men Indignantly and
unanim lisly refused 10 consider the proposition
They sent a committee 10 remind the s. r.. that the
new contrary TO agreement and uncaled
fcr and impore them 10 recede The S. r. refused
positively whereupon the s. A. r. adjOurned feeling
that they had been trcked and betrayed.
Now, who Is TO blame for the failure OF uni0nf
Let no man believe. for moment, that the s. A. r.
are afraid TO show their records They now have
magnificent and absolutely unmpeachable set Of roc
ords OF proved eligibility to membership. largely the
work OF DR.. George Browne GOOde 81 the smithsonian
Institution. They are not afraid to show them. But
they believe IN honorable dealing among gentlemen;
I'm the keeping OF covenant s0lomny entered into
with d sister society. ] will not impute motive to
the other side but II must be sOlemnly aftrmed thar
the failure OF upinn last week rests absolutely and
5. A. r. would not to assert this. were 1t not
that utterly incorrect account Is given by Mr.
Tamadgc's society u what actually occurred
The :. A. r. must not complain about misrepreSenIA
t0ps," when their conduct on this and other
occa sions exposes them to the absolutely truthful
charge among honorable men. OF discourtcsy col
'e'! NawYo p ' Feb 20. 1893. HENRY HALL.