New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-17

the OF lnt ClNcr. but Nutie 10 n" "N'''N
age in union we'll in rivalry and 1t would seem
If the time had now come when the two societies
might unite their efforts and become the greatest
and most influential patriotic organization OF the
Nation.
There are about 5000 members OF the Sons Of the
American Revolution ana about 5000 members OF
the Sons OF the Revolution Joining the two to-
gether. would have at the start 1900 members
and they would be the best men of the Nation. the
men who influence legislation. lead in public move
ments and control the thought of the different
communities and States In which they live and OF
the Nation itself.
Certainly, We need something OF this nature to
insiill into the minds OF the coming generation a
proper idea Of what the United States Republic
Nation stands for An effort made several years
ago to unite the two societies. but i failed through
the American Revolution This year the Sons of the
Revolution. at their annual convention in savannah
passed very frank and. cordial resolutions In favor
Of union OF the two societies.
other day. went further than this. They passed a
resolution In favor OF union and appointed com
done practically until pT the other Society appoints
similar committee 70 meet ours Then imagine nag
mere VIII be no dnlcuty In arranging upon 'he ue
tails OF the union
COLLATERAL DESCENT.
The difficulty over the admission to the united
society of members who can trace their descent to
Revolutionary ancestor only through the collateral
line Is eliminated our society has from the
Revolutionary slres, and the other society now has
the same provision in its constitution that We have
tempated b. either society that any one shall be
eligible to the new united society unless he can trace
his lineage by direct descent 10 Revolutionary an
cestor.
whom we should be glad to welcome members
are only collateral descendants. and. while
sorry to lose them from the society there really Is
place in organize ton like formed for the
purpose of preserving the memory and recording
the deeds Of our Revolutionary ancestors, for any
but those OF direct descent.
am sure that the best men in both societies vel
be in the interests OF patriotic effort Ex-senator
Warner Miller, a member OF the Sons Of the Revo-
luton but who a speaker at the annual dinner
OF the Sons OF the American Revolution at Del
monico's in January last. there jokingy said that
would not be offices enough In society to go
around but do not think that Senator Millers Joke
has any basis in reality The officers OF both
cieies while trying TO do their full patriotic duty
more for their cause than they DO for their
the most earnest OF the members in favorng the
union
OPINION OF JOHN WINFIELD SCOTT.
John Winfield Scott. member OF the National Ex-
ecutive Committee, Sons of the American Revolu-
ton. said:
Some thrty-nve States were, represented in the
and the excellent character of the men in attend
hnrmo MSS prevailed and the idea that the National
Congress OF the Sons OF the Revolution had sent
f Sor union between the two societies dominated
everything and ecited the heartiest enthusiasm
munication from the Sons of the Revolution was
read The applause sed iUT s9 recdynn The a COM
munication and expressing me conVicuon lhat Ine
olution was ready take any fair method for de-
veloping one society representing the men who
founded the United States.
In the discussion OF the question there was no dis
position shown take adyanage of tf S
ments preliminary to union. The chief question N
the proposal Of the Sons q the Reyouton. that the
records Of the membership OF the two societies
should be examined in order thai only nea de-
scfndants OF mn men Of The United States
should compose the OF t9e as S SS Sa
been one Of the most important requirements Tor
membership in the Sons OF the American Revolution.
4 POPULAR PROPOSAL.
The general officers were authorized 20 appoint
fair-ninded committee 10 confer with Ike COM
mttee from the Sons Of the Revolution. with the
tacit understanding that such committee should con-
vey to the Sons OF the Revolution and should be
controlled in their consideration and action BY the
idea that IL was monstrous condition which a.
lowed the existence OF TWO societies which CON
feSsedlv had the one purpose OF preserving the spirit
mcnt
And az the congress closed nothing but treachery
or the personal vanity OF leading oihcials coud pre-
The sentiment which dominated the congress illus
trated the necessity for such an Organization In this
sen; a delegation. the one Idea was repeatedly ex.
ur-esrI they all represented AfltTsNd tEht
The purposo 81 the society was To interpret the pur-
noses ~ the men who brought about the American
Revouton. and the responsibility which rests upon
The sons OF those men TO preserve ana Illustrate
those sentiments. not TO develop classes among
American citizens. but to cement Into one casS all
c,iz,us .ntled 10 vote. regardless OF their origin
ar th.lr personal predictions IN favor OF party or
sect encouraging them TO appreciate the fact that
Isrty and denomination are but physlcal tools Tor
producing moral results
I'm. makers OF the Declaration Of Independence
.,,r.-sel the sum Of the ambitions and lonSlngs OF
yrrner.ttOns OF righteous men among the tribes OF
,,.n,<lnd and the result stupendous because II
Ms comprehensive and dealt with principles instead
az ism, and Il IA more applicable 20 all citizens OF
he Tinted states to-day than ever, because OF the
many kinds OF people that 90 10 make up American
citizenship. - -. ...o.,.,
inc .verv pol,lral party and religious denomination
ns vel a. lection OF the country. but the feeling
vos unanimous that IT devOlvsd upon this society
wisely and with dignity TO consider National ques-
tons from "a purely patriotic point OF View, ana 10
Ieyolop in America National sentiment for the well
fare OF all citizens In order that The world at large
may discover in America National purposes and am
hitlons and that patriotism means wisdom as much
as enthuslasm--to sum IL all Up In sentence that
The purpose Of the fathers Of this country was 10 cs-
tabish on the earth pace where men might de-
veIop the hehes, order % humanity. and that II is
The obllga ton OF their aons to Illustrate that policy