The herald., 1894-01-01
The California Branch OF The
Organization.
Descendants of Soldiers of the War
of the Revolution.
An American Society That IL Bounded
Upon Patriotism-History of the
Organization In Our
City, Etc.

year was the incorporation and success
full establishment of the the California
society of Sons of the Revolution and
it's headquarters at Los Angeles. The
HERALD has spoken of this organization
upon several occasions, and short &C.
count of the rise and remarkable growth
in membership and influence OF the
society of Sons of the Revolution
throughout the United States, will be of
great interest:
Any society, association or incorpora-
ton, unsectarisn and non partisan In
religious and political subjects, rscog
nizing no distinction in social or pecuni-
ary rank, and actuated solely by patri-
otic love of country and watchful
regard for her state and material insti-
tutions, cannot fail to be of great value
in the direction of affairs; and when
sucn an organization is effected in our
own country, composed entirely OF the
descendants Of those who achieved her
independence, we. cannot but feel that
m additional safeguard has been
erected against the increasing tide Of
immigration, foreign influences and
other foreign ideas.
The original society was instituted
upon the anniversary of Washington's
birthday, February 22, 1876, in the long
room Of Frauncis' tavern, New York
CITY, where occurred tilas .oiiccih;;::SS ching bis
toric scene of Washington's farewell to
his officers.
1t was founded by Mr.. John Austin
Stevens of the claez Of 1846 at Harvard
university and the accomplished origin
stor Of the Magazine of American His
tory. After correspondence with Hon.
Hamilton Fish, president general OF the
Order of the Cincinnati, and learning
that the institution of that order would
not be amended so as to admit descend
ants in junior lines OF original members,
be conceived the idea of forming socis-
ty, national in its proportions, which
should embrace membership composed
of descendants, whether through the
male or female line, from any ancestor
who took part on the colonial side IN
the revolutionary war.
The numerous descendants in New
York Of Revolutionary ancestors were
attracted by the idea and a large New
York society was speedily organized and
Incorporated, with Mr.. Stevens ss its irst
president.
seen three wars, and the last of these
was so terrible in its results that it had
obiiterated in some degree the memory
OF that first struggle for freedom; but
me proceedings in New York resound
l:ka taumpet call throughout the
highways and byways OF the land,
awakening the slumberiug memories OF
She noble deeds of our ancestors, aud
su,nmonning Americas sons to the
duty which had devolved upon them OF
protecting what had been won at the
point of the sword after go many hard
ships. They were reminded that our
fertile soil and liberal government had at
tracted many persons of foreign birth and
customs, in many respects antsgonistic
to our institutions, and that to them es-
pecially was the task assigned OF counter
acting foreign influence by reviv-
ing and keeping before the
country traditions that are sure
ly American; and that none
were 30 competent to perform this duty
rs they, the sons of those patriotic sires.
Societies were rapidly incorporated in
most OF the original thirteen states upon
the New York plan, and today there is
an incorporated society in nearly every
state of the Union, numbering in the
aggregate about 10000 enthusiastic
members, actuated by the same love OF
country and having in their hearts the
old patriotic principle:
"Dulce ct decorum est propatria
mori."
This society has for its general plan Of
organization that of the United States
governernment.
Only one organization is permitted in
each state, but several societies are in.
dependent in all matters pertaining to
their own internal government, subject
only to the constitution OF the general
society, which is composed Of delegates
from each state society.
The following are the qualifications
required for membership:
Any male person, above the age OF
81 years, shall be eligible to member
ship in the Sons of the Revolution who
is descended from an ancestor, IS the
propositus, who, either as o military,
naval or marine officer, soldier, sail or or
marine, or official in the service of any
one of the 13 original colonies or states,
or OF the national government repre-
senting or composed OF those colonies
or states, assisted in establishing
American independence during the war
of the revolution, between the 10th day
of April, 1775, when hostilities COM
menced, and the 10Th day of April,
1888, when they were ordered to cease.
Provided: That when the claim OF
eligibility is based on the service OF an
ancestor in this minute men" or ''mi-
litia," it must be satisfactorily shown
that such ancestor was actually call ed
into the service of the state or United
States, and performed garrison or field
duty and
Provided further: That when the
claim OF eligibility is based on the SER
vice of an ancestor as a sailor or
marine" it must in like manner be
shown that such service was other than
shore duty and regularly performed in
the Continental Navy, or tho navy of
one Of the original thirteen states, or on
an armed vessel. other than a merchant
ship, which sailed under lettera OF
marque and reprisal, and that such an
cestor of the applicant was duly en-
rolled in the ships COMPANY ether as
an officer, seamHA, or otherwise than as
passenger; and
Provided, iurther. that W hen the claim
OF eligibility is based IN thr service 0. hi
ancestor as an ''orieial, Faca service
must have been raffnrme ! IN ans eivil
service OF the Uaifed Staies. 1r OF oDs
of the l3 original rtNtra .fnd AUST HAYS
been sntiic.sl ~ ippjf, ar. t-,tn 4ces +
to have lets sI lie HI 4 ec.Aiy
liable 10 are cn.se q . s, > NJ IN"
same .p cn.aflat~ll 4it - rt