Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-07-19
THE CINCINNATI.
Smallest But Most Disting uished of the
 Revolutionary Orders.


 Revolutionary Orders.
 The other day there was held in Phil adelphia meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati.
 When the struggle for independence had come to a final conclusion and Lord Cornwallis had handed over his sword the time came for the disbanding of the Continental army. Gen. Washing ton at this particular time had his head quarters at the old Verplanek mansion, near Fishkill-on-theHudso The off cers of the army were most of them aristoeratic gentlemen who had gath cred together from the various colonies. They had formed many pleasant ac- quaintances as well as warm friend- ships in camp and field, and when it was suggested that these be perpetuated by the formation of permanent or ganization, the project met with warm approval. Accordingly, on May 13, 17s3, a meeting was called. Baron Steuben who was inspector general of the army presided. Gen. Knox, that doughty old patriot, read a paper which he had pre- pared, and which was adopted as the original constitution.
 The original draft of this document has been preserved and was handed down with other relics and mementoes of the order to the late Hamilton Fish, who was for many years it's president.
 The organization was one of officers only, and this was why it was so bitter 1y assai1ed in later years. The clause designed to perpetuate the order, which made only male descendants, or, failing these. collateral male descendants, elig- eble for membership, stamped the order, according to popular belief, as an imi- tation of European orders Of knight hood. It was also asserted that this was m attempt to establish an aristoeracy, and the legislatures of Rhode Island. Massachusetts and Pennsylvania cen- sured it by resolution. In fact, Wash ington saw something of the danger and secured Il modification of the clause Ut the second regular meeting.
 1t was intended to have a branch of the order established in each state, but this was never done, and to-day there are but seven state organizations. Many Of the French officers who served in the revolution were made members, and a branch of the order, which is still in ex- istence. was organized in France by royal consent. Count d'Estaing sent to Gen. Washington. who was elected the first president of the order in this coun- try. the eagle of the French branch, set in diamonds. as gift of the French naval officers.
 The jewel has been worn in success sion by each president general of the society from Washington's time down to to-day 1t has adorned the breast of Alexander Hamilton, of the two pinclneys, of Ogden, Lewis, Popham, Dearborn and Fish, wSo was made pres ident in 1854 and held the office until his death. since which time the office was vacant until recently, when Maj. William Wayne, of Philadelphia, a de- scendant of Gen. Wayne, known as "Mad Anthony" was chosen. On the election of Gen. Wayne the historic jewel of the order was handed over to him by Nicholas Fish, a son of the late president. The society meets only once in three years and so the next general assembly will not ocdur until May 13, 1899, when a meeting will be held in New York city.--Pittsburg Chronicle TclegraDh