The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-01
PROUD OF THEIR NAMES
uneal Descendants OF Revolutionary AnCes.
tors 6ather in FratsrnaI Congress.
OF WASHINGTON AND PATRICK HENRY.
A Union of the National Society OF
the Sons of the American Revolu-
the Sona of tho Revolution 10 He
consunmated-Gre Mon Speak.

Richmond. Va, April 3O.-The National
Society of the Sons of the American
Revolution held remarkably harmonious
and enthusiastic congress in this city to-
day. the anniversary of the first in
-auguration of Washington as President
of the United States.
1t was probably the first of the eight
annual congress of this body I'm which
every vote was unanimous practically
30 and in which uninterrupted harmony
prevailed
The large meeting room of the chamber
Of commerce had been Hospitality placed
at the service of he congress. and when
Gen. Horace Porter, President General,
called to order at 1880 a. m, William Writ
Henry, president of the Virginia society,
welcomed the delegates in the most cor
lial manner and with the eloauence for
which his family is historically famous
Gen. Porter replied to Mr.. Henry. He
spoke first Of the great privilege 1t was to
the society to be welcomed by n grandson
OF Patrick Henry. the great statesman
and orator Of Revolutionary times. Said
he, this congress has held many inter
esting sessions. but none that will be
cherished more than this in the South
and In its great historic and representa-
tive city. Last year we met within few
miles of the scenes OF Bunker Hill and
Concord. Now we meet within a few
miles of he field of Yorktown, on which
ended the struggle which gave this glor-
ous union It's liberty"
Gen. Porter then paid grand tribute
to Washington and Virginia. and con-
tinuing. he said:
we are glad to come to stand on this
historic ground, whose highways echoed
his footsteps. II is the State where oc-
CURED his great triumphs: Is the State
where rests his ashes. We now know
what q proverbial old Virginia welcome
is"
Gen. Porter felt certain that the visit
would never be forgotten
Nincty-elght delegates and officers were
present at the opening OF the congress
and about ten more arrived during the
day When the roll was called. fovorite
names were warmly applauded. Nearly
every one of the thirty-eight State so
cietieS was represented, including several
as far away as Hawaii. California. Ne
braska Florida. Missouri and Maine
Reports from general officers showed q
total present membership of 1900 II gain
OF over 1900 during the year. A form Of
charter was adopted for local chapters
and other routine business transacted.
Secretary General Murphy then read the
invitation of the Sons of the Revolution
and Ebenezer J. lin. member OF Con-
gress from Connecticut. introduced the
following preamble and resolutions:
Whereas. the National Society of the
Sons of the American Revolution note
with sincere qualification the growing
Society of the Sons OF the Revolution
upon terms which shall tend to promote c
tho honor, dignity and largest usefulnes
OF the societies and the patriotic and pub
lie spirited objects for which both are
organized; and
Whereas. the General Society of the
Sons OF the Revolution, In trlennial meet
ing assembled in the city OF Savannah
Ga. April 20 instant. did adopt a pre-
amoie and resolutions extending sin
Cero and fratcrnal invitation to the
National Society of the Sons of the
American Revolution to unite with them
In n single society, and
Whereas, the National Society of the
Sons of the American Revolution is hear
tily, sincerely and fraternally desires a
consolidation of the two societies, upon
we'll considered basis. and is anxious
10 submit Its rolls of membership TO n
most rigorous and searching examination
by competent and disinterested tri-
bunal, In order that II may, once for all,
In the eyes of all men supply the in
duoitabie proof of the eligibility of all
OF Its members as lineal descendants of
revolutionary ancestors: now be IL
Resolved. By the National Society OF
the Sons OF the American Revolution in
annual congress assembled In the city of
Richmond. Va, April so. 1896. that we do
hereby send our most fraternal and cor
dial greetings to the General Society of
the Sons OF the Revolution, and declare
without reservation, our strong and sin
cere desire for consolidation of the two
societies into single society, upon n
we'll considered basis of union.
Resolved That we do hereby instruct
the general officers of the society tn
submit the membership rolls and the
original credentials and applications, on
which membership has been granted. for
n fresh examination, to Il competent and
disinterested committee. so constituted
by mutual agreement of the general Of
Ulcers OF both societies as to command
the entire confidence OF both the uniting
societies, said committee to Indicate the
person or persons in each society who
shall not have indubitable proof of lineal
descent from a revolutionary ancestor.
In accordance with the plan of consolida- :
ton agreed 10 by the committee of con-
Terence In 1893. but now voluntarily
amended by the society Of the Sons of
the Revolution by emitting the paragraph
which provides for the admission of
coileterials; and the National Society of
the Sons Of the American Revolution
does hereby pledge itself to erase from
its rolls OF membership the names of all
persons 30 indicated by said committee
as not having indubitable proof of lineal
descent
Resolved. That we hereby empower
the general officers OF this society to ap-
point committee of able, competent and
ulsinterested men. who shall confer with
q like committee of equal size, appoint
ed by the general officers of the Sons Of