New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-17
HE HAS ALWAYS FAVORED UNION.


Edward Hagaman Hall, register of the Empire
State Society of the Sons OF the American Revolu-
ton. being asked fer his opinion on the advisa-
bty and probability of union, said that three
years ago at general meeting of that society he
had earnestly advocated union and that his opin-
ions had only grown in strength with the lapse OF
time. THE prevailing sentiment among the men,
bers of both societies undoubtedly favors that
course" said he LAS to the probabilities they
may be said to be fair. with partly cloudy
weather. The chief difficulty in the way is not
what shall be the constitution requirements and
plans of the united society in the future, for their
standards, purposes and plans, owing to some ad-
mirable notifications made by the Sons of the
Revolution during the last three years, are sub
stantially alike. The trouble seems to hinge on
how the past acts of the two societies in regard TO
admission. etc. shall be treated.
THE other society proposes that the member
ship rolls of the two societies shall be submitted
to an examination by a joint committee before
union. and that they shall drop any member who
shall be regarded as tainted. We believe that our
membership is superior to the other society's In
the standard Of eligibility, and We are perfectly
willing to submit our papers TO such an eXarnina-
ton In fact. believe that our National Congress
has authorized such a course to show our SIN
an unhappy way OF going about a great and Dig
nifed piece Of work. This Is not commercial
transaction In which are looking for damaged
goods The two societies ought to enter upon the
business as equal parties TO a high treaty, each
giving full faith and credit to the past acts of the
other. In view of our greater numbers and our
rapid growth, this ought to be accepted as a very
generous proposition on our part. ! think that
the way to unite is to unite-as Horace Greeley
said. the way to resume was to resume
''If the two societies will leave the much vexed
question of revision and expurgaton till after
union they will remove the chief stumbling block
to this much desired end. Then the new society
will properly have Jurisdiction over the entire
membership, and II 1t becomes necessary to drop
any one he will have the satisfaction CT feeling
that he has been dropped by his own organza-
ton. and not at the dictaton Of a committee one
half Of whom do not belong to his society at all.
II the troublesome question were left TIL AFTER
union It might be solved in some other way per-
haps The rolls might be examined, and If any
member is discovered who does not come up TO
the established standard his membership might
be DESIGNATED on the rolls as a Limited or
'.lapsing" membership, which should expire upon
the resignation or death of that member. and no
new member should thereafter be admitted on
such line This would gradually eXpurgate the
new society. and accomplish the desired end with
very little friction If the membership of the Sons
Of the Revolution is as good as they claim, and
ours is as good as know, there will be very
little expurgating anyhow, fancy.
Il understand that the Sons Of the Revolution
want the union on the terms Of the compact OF
three years ago with the exception Of the ad-
mission of collateras. which they insisted upon at
that time in the face Of our strong opposi-
toni We believe that plan Is entirely In
adequate to the present time In consequence
Of the developments in the interim. and
in view Of the fact that the Sons OF the
Revolution have themselves changed 1t In two
Important particulars. One thing which has re-
Gently come under observation is In regard to
the seal. The plan OF three years ago provided
that the seal OF the new society should be that of
the Sons OF the Revolution. Here is print OF
It," said Mr.. Hall. producing one from which the
following cut Is made.