Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-01
THE 5. A. R. HERE.
Opening Yesterday Of the Annual Con-
sFtSs Of the National Society.
THE body DECLARES ron UNION.
In Favor OF Amaignmation With the
Sons Of Rcyolutlou--Mr. IIcnry's
Cordial Words of Wcicome-ohi-
GERS EIccted-Othcr business.


The National Society OF the Sons OF the
American Revolution convened here yes
terday I'm their seventh annual congress
and trienniai conclave. The business ses-
sions OF which there were two yesterday
of several hours each. are held IN inc
assembly han Of the Chamber OF COM
mere. and the officers and delegates are
stopping at the jefferson, where an e'e-
CANT banquet was given last night Oy
the Virginia Society. There are ABOUT
one hundred men. distinguished In min
tary. business. or professional life, in al
tendance upon the congress, and a num-
Der OF them are accompanied by iauy
members Of their families.
MIR. HENRY'S CORDIAL WELCOME.
President General Horace Porter raped
the Congress OF the National Society 10
order at 1920 yesterday morning ana the
session was opened with prayer By Bishop
charles Edward Cheney, OF Chicago.
Hon. william Writ Henry, president OF
the virginia Society. was then introduced
and made an address Of welcome.
ut gives me peculiar pleasure ne
said "to welcome the congress 10 hich-
mond In Offering you this weicoine'
do not do II for the Virginia Society
alone. but for all the good people OF
Richmond II is a great honor TO nave
so many distinguished men, I'm whose
veins flows the blood of Revolutionary
sires. In our city. Charles James loN
declared in the British Parliament mat
the Revolution saved the. liberty OF man
kind 1t was the greatest event OF the
eighteenth century, OF al centuries III
fact. 1t was blessing 10 our country
and TO all the countries Of the world.
ON meeting here we show that we do
not forget the memory Of ancestors, who
gave us this great government, and IN
boporing them we honor II. The motive
of this organization Is to draw us closer
Together and as a touch OF nature makes
nil akin. so a touch Of patriotism makes
brothers of us all
VIRGINIA'S PART.
'In making this address of welcome,
Mr. Henry continued. I'VE take pardon
able pride in referring TO the part Nlr-
ginla played in obtaining American liber-
Nv. At jamestown, I'm 1913, the first repre-
sentative assembly met TO protest against
the oppression OF the mother country
Among It's acts was a petition which was
forwarded 10 lspluoN, dshiHS Auht az
orders passed and applying to this Colony
he sent to the Colony for approval
by the Legislature before being enforced
Then was sowed the seed which $50 years
later resulted i'm the successful struggle
for liberty. Virginia promptly went TO the
support Of Massachusetts. when that
Colony invited the Colonies 10 come
together i'm 1865. and forced Parliament
20 repeal the stamp act. which was re-
placed by the little less obnoxious duty
act virginia then urged movement
looking to n strenuous protest against
oil acts forced on the Colonies by Eng
land. These were the first and impor-
tant steps towards our liberty which we
treasure dearly"
when Mr. Henry resumed his seat three
rousng cheers were given for the grand
son Of Patrick Henry.
GENERAL PORTER'S REPLY.
As soon as quiet was restored General
Porter replied to Mr.. Henry. He spoke
OF the great privilege It was TO the so
cety 10 be welcomed by a grandson OF
Patrick Henry, the great statesman and
orator of Revolutionary times. and said:
"Ths congress has held many interest
ing sessions, but none that viii be cher
ished more than this i'm the South, and
I'm its great historic and representative
city. Last year we met Nltith a ltN
miles of the scenes of Bunker Hill and
Concord. Now we meet within few
miles OF the field Of Yorktown, on
which ended the struggle which gave
this glorious Union its liberty"
General Porter then paid a grand tri-
butte to Washington and TO Virginia
Continuing, he said:
1--WE are glad to come to stand or
this historic ground. whose highways
echoed his footsteps. 1t is the state
where occurred his greatest trlumphs; II
is the State where rests his ashes. We
now know what a provcrbial old Nir
ginia welcome is" General Porter felt GER
tain that the visit would never be for
gotten.
General Porter referred to the move
Inent to merge the Sons of the American
Revolution and the Sons of the Reyou
ton. and advocated its elimination.
Historian General Han. Treasurer-Gen
eral Haskins. and Mr.. John D. Wander
cook. OF the Illinois Society, were appoint
ed a Committee on Credentials Whi
they were in session an adjournment wa
taken. When the committee concluded
its report the congress reassembled ant
received it,
SECRETARY GENERALs REPORT.
Secretary General Franklin Murphy
report 1t showed that Massachusetts
has the largest state membership. /
being 957 Connecticut was second witt
SIS New York third with SOC. The Dis
trict OF Columbia is fourth with liC
Illinois has III. Minnesota, New jersey
Vermont Maine. and New Hampshir
have more than 200. The others Of IN
thirty-four States that have chapter
have each a membership of less than %,
The National Society now has as
members, a gai. of 1906 since the las
congress- The new societies Of the yea
were those IN Florida and Hawaii.
The report Of Treasurer-General c. W
Nasklns. Of New York. was next read
il showed the treasury TO be in a yer
II .nry Hall Of New York, announce
that he had no report 20 make
AnIALGAMATION OF ORGANIZE
TIONS.
AZ this point the most important bus
ness OF the congress was taken no. tina
OF the amalCamation OF the Sons
American Revolution with the Sons
the Revolution. Both organizations hay
The same objects in view. Congrcssma
T.. J. Hill. OF Connecticut, Offered IN
following resolution, which was unan
mously passed. after an animated di.
cuss!On:
Sons OF the American Revolution not
with sincere qualification. the CROWN
sentiment In favor Of q union with IN
Society OF the Sons OF the Reyolutlol
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