Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-04-09
New York Commercial Advertiser.


In the eyes of the average European a
land to be truly great must have his
tory, whether that history be of de-
sirable brand OF not.
Europe considers the history of
America from the landing of Columbus
to the battle of Lexington, as her own,
leaving America little over two centu-
ries TO make her own history. Tho fact
that these two centuries have been
eventful, and that an article of history
has been put up that fairly beggars
the history of entire Europe for the
same period, is not taken into CONSIDER
alton by the average foreigner.
1t 10, perhaps, due to this condition
of affairs as much as TO anything else
that the patriotic and hereditary socie
ties have become SO numerous and such
prominent factors Of social life of this
city during the last three or four years
Eight or 10 years ago to be a member
of a prominent club was to have posses
sion of an open sesame to society, but
of late years membership in one Of the
various patriotic orders is guarantee
of entry to all circles.
There are in America more than so
OF these societies, all of which have for
their object the history making and
the history preserving of America. The
object of these various organizations as
stated in their charters is in the aggre-
gate as follows
'To bring together and associate
congenial men and women, whose an
cestors struggled together for life and
liberty, home and happiness, and whose
line of descent comes through patriots
who sustained the land in the struggle
for independence in the Revolutionary
War and other wars; to teach reverent
regard for the names and history,
character and perseverance, deeds and
heroism of the founders of this country
and their patriot descendants to
teach that the purpose of the founders
could have no lasting result but for
their patriot sons; to inculcate patriot
ism: to discover, collect and preserve
records, documents, manuscripts, monu-
meDts and history relating to the first
colonists and their ancestors and their
descendants, and to commemorate and
celebrate events in the history of the
colonies and the Republic. "
That these worthy objects have found
quick response in the hearts of the
people is evidenced by the rapid growth
of the patriotic societies of America
May 18th, 1888, the first patriotic So
ciety of which We have any definite
knowledge was formed.in this city. 1t
was the order of Cincinnati and had for
its members the eldest male descend
ants of officers of the American Revo-
luton. The order has survived and is
to-day the most exclusive patriotic order
in the country. This society, the first
in the field, has probably done more
toward the preservation Of American
history than all others combined.
September l4th, 1Sl4, the Society of
the War of 1872 was founded having
for its members lineal male descend
ants of the soldiers of that war. In
1917 the Aztec Club was formed. This
organization had for its members the
male descendants of the officers of the
Mexican war.
During the next % years many of
these organizations came into existence,
but none survived or is prominently
known except those above mentioned.
In 1879 and 1876 there came into ex-
istence the two similar organizations,
the Sons of the American Revolution
and the Sons of the Revolution, to be
eligible for membership in either of
which it was necessary to prove descent
from soldiers of the Revolution.
These societies have performed an
important part in the preservation of
historic spots, the establishment Of
monuments and the commemoration Of
events In American history.
1t was not till 1890, however, that the
patriotic societies became numerous.
About that time it became craze, and
half hundred such organizations
sprang into existence. The Colonial
DANES OF America, the Daughters of the
American Revolution, the Society of the
Medal of Honor Legion, the Naval Or.
der of the United States are the most
prominent of score or more of these
new societies, all Of which had for their
members the descendants of soldiers in
at least one Of Americas wars. Since
then the Colonial Order, the Society of
Colonial Wars, the Daughters of the
Cincinnati, the Military Order Of For
elgn Wars the Order of Washington,
the Daughters of the War Of 1872, and
a long list of other orders have become
firmly established.
Aside from those organizations, which
number only the descendants Of war.
riors there has come into existence a
number OF societies such as tho Il0l-
iand Society, the New England Women,
the st. Nicholas Society, the Nav.
flower Descendants, the llueuenot 40
clety of America, and others. which
have for their object the cummemoru
tlon Of the memory of the early settlers
of the land.
Two organizations we're recently in.
corporated at Albany-one known as
the Founders and Patriots Of America
and the other as the Children of the
American Revolution This last named
society is unique, as children Of both
sexes, from birth TO the age Of Is for
girls, and Il years for boys may ioin
Tins society, provided they descend In
dlrett line from patriotic ancestors
Who helped to plant or to perpetuato
tlI9 country in the colonies or in thc
Revolutionary War, or in any other
way.
According to article Of its eonstitu.
t1n, the society has for its OhJncC;
Inc acquisition Of knowledge Of
American history, ST. that we may un-
Iefstahu and lUrr our country batter.
HAi tlen any patriotic work that viii
A'll' W. 70 that end, Keeping Il constant
ehlraNur 10 influence all 0lhcr rnI
ufnn and youths to the same purru4o
10 help In save the ul4trs made sarraI
~ me american men ana wGmcn MA,
forwarded American llependelre: to
iini 2ut anri to honor th, tiyr5 ~ rhii
dren anil youths vi tac colonies ana Of
no American RcyoilG1n; 10 promntc
lhe roiebration af a tBtriutie anniyrr
tat'rS; to place q ga.yof the Decara-
1l4n VI inaeprudraG4 anil other uu,ri
"lir iarnment5 IL every place appro,
lrlHla for ih"m, itupll Cur American
lAs 3acfel above every other iiar On
r@fl.t; 70 love, LIhl.d and extend the
institutions Of American liberty and
lALrLltIsm and La-nrlnriI1lcs LIl.lt -,