The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-04
THE CINCINNATI.
Smallest, bat Most Distinguished of
the Revolutionary Orders.

Smallest, but Most Distinguished of
the Revolutionary Orders.
Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegraph.
The other day there was held in Phil
adelphia a meeting of the Society of
the Cincinnati.
When the struggle for independence
had come to a final conclusion and
Lord CORVALLIS had handed over his
sword, the time came for the disband-
ing of the Continental arm. General
Washington, at this particular time,
had his headquarters at the old Yer
planck mansion, near Fishkill-on-the-
Hudson. The officers Of that army
were most of them aristocratio gentle
men who had gathered together from
the various colonies. They had formed
many pleasant acquaintance as well
as warm friendships in camp and field,
and when 1t was suggested that these
be perpetuated by the formation of q
permanent organization, the project
met with warm approval. Accordingly
on May Is. 1888, meeting was called.
Baron Steuben, who was inspector gen
eral Of the army, presided. General
Knox, that doughty old patriot, read a
paper which he had prepared and
which was adopted as the original con-
StitutiOn.
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 bit
terly assailed in later years. The
clause designed to perpetuate the order,
which made only the male descendants,
or, failing these, collateral male de-
scendants, eligible for membership,
stamped the order, according to popular
belief as an imitation of European or
ders of knighthood.
It was also asserted that this was an
attempt to establish an aristocracy.
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 a modification of the clause
at the second regular meeting. 1t was
intended to have a branch of the or
der established in each state, but this
was never done, and today there are
but seven state organizations Many
of the French officers who served in
the revolution were made members
and branch of the order, which is
still in existence, was organized In
France by royal consent. Count DIES
taing sent to Gen. Washington, who
was elected the first president Of the
order in this country, the eagle of the
French naval officers
The jewel has been worn in success
sion by each president-general Of the
society from Washingtons time down
to today. 1t has adorned the breast
Of Alexander Hamilton, Of the two
Pinckneys, of Ogden, Lewis, Popham.
Dearborn and Fish who, was made
president in 1854, and held the Office
until his death, since which time the
office was vacant until recently when
Maj. William Wayne, of Philadelphia,
descendant 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 occur
until May 10, 1899, when a meeting will
be held in New York city.