New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-22

MRS. FLORA ADAMS DARLING WRITES A
FINAL LETTER TO MRS. WALWORTH.

MRS. FLORA ADAMS DARLING WRITES
FINAL LETTER TO MRS wALwORTH
THE d. A. r. CONTROVERSY STILL. HANGS LIKE
SHADOW OVER THE HEADS OF THE MEM
BERs-THE NATIONAL CONGRESS
MEETS TO-DAY.
Mrs Flora Adams Darling serds to The Tribune
n copy of a letter (she says it Is the last she Will
ever write on the subject which she has addressed
to Mrs. Ellen Hardin Waworth, the Hon. Vice.
President General of the Daughters OF the Ameri-
can Revolution. 1t is reply to letter when APP
peared in The Tribune of December o. 1870 anu
which is reprinted below
THE LETTER FROM MRS. WALWORTii
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir If you wish to know or to state the true
origin OF the Daughters Of the American Revou-
ton uhe Daughters OF the Revolution were dis
satisfied chapter in that organization and seeded
fr I'm to- | can show you the original constitution
prepared by the three founders of the Nationai
society July 1890 three months before Mrs fiora
Adams Darling claims to have started the society
| also have the published statements. MADE AT M
ferent times. as occasion called for them. or these
three founders who are Miss Mary Desha. nneal
descendant Of Revolutionary soldiers ana OF Gov
ernor Desha OF Kentucky: Miss Eugenia Washing
ton lineal descendant Of Colonel Samuel Washing
ton. who served through the Revolutionary war
and was the oldest own brother of General George
Washington: Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth' Hhea'
descendant Of Colonel John Hardin. who distn-
guished himself an officer In Morgahs h''ie
Corps at the battle of Saratoga.
In August 1890. these three founders obtained the
consent OF Mrs benjamin Harrison TO become
president of the National society, and they APP
pointed the following women as n Board OF Man
ayers: Mrs. Earle. Mrs. Brown, MISS BiecKh-
ridge Mrs Wolfe. Miss Grigsby and Mrs DARING
who accepted the position. Three hundred blanks
demanding neal descent from Revolutionary an
cestors. were Immediately printed. and many OF
them distributed by the three founders. who there
by secured the members who attended the hrst
public meeting. held on October ii. 1870
This first organization took place in Washington
City in my paror on August g. 1890 when the con-
stltltion and eligibility blanks were prepared. ana
the following Off -.rs were appointed, all with the
understanding which has been carried out TO the
Iet,er-tha. this was a National society, with per-
petual HEADQUARTERS In that city, because 1t was
the National capital.
President Mrs. Benjamin Harrison.
Secretary Mrs Ellen Hardin Walworh
Registrar Miss Eugen'a Washington
Chairman Of the Board Of Managed MISS Mary
Desha.
These officers were confirmed at the meeting OF
October 1890 and others were added
In the summer of 1891 the Darling Chapter OF
New-York City seeded. ana made Mrs. DARLING
who was then outside OF the Society of the Daugh-
tiers Of the American Revolution. their FOUNDER
General whereby she gets that title. and the badge
that YOU publish with her remarks belongs TO the
Daughters Of the Revolution
The insignia Of the Daughters OF the American
Revolution n copy OF which il inclosed you VIII
observe is quite different Mrs. Darling was. how
ever for several months. beginning with October
H. $780, General of organization
tl,o
held in 1892 not in 1891. In Washington. and marks
the great National event OF the organization out
side Of it's membership there Is little realization OF
the dignity and Importance Of this annual meetin2
Tho practice of new Ideal Is ever subject OF
ridicule but the second step OF the pioneer In high
or paths is one Of infiuerce AMI power. Daugh-
ters Of the American Revolution are on that adj
vanced plane they reach out loving hands TO the
RESPONSIBLE members OF the society which drew
awa- from them. and hope soon to have them In |
full fellowship.
The Daughters Of the American Revolution began |
and have carried forward conscentiously and with
self sacrifice one of the leading historical and
natrotic works Of this century; their difficulties or
their mistakes are of consequence to the public
although valuable TO themselves as experience for |
future use The result of their effort is worth |
much to the public. and will be eventually recog- |
nized
call upon the officers at Washington. or upon |
"daughters" who are doing quietly earnest work |
for the highest aims OF this powerful National So
cetv to inform the public of It's historical patri-
otto and educational labor rather than the per-
nlexities which have been encountered and over
come in prosecuting such aims? Docs the public
know that genuine American families descend d
from the founders OF this Government being
recorded geographically by a member OF each
family and with official proof In Battle-Ground
volumes. preserved in freproof apartments in
Washington? Is the value of any royal or other
descent greater than that from private soldier
Who shared In the establishment OF "indepen
lence"? Let Americans know each other and
lin union there is strength for the
continuance OF the principles and law Of the found
.rs OF the Government.
ELLEN HARDIN wALwORTH
Hon Vice President General National Society
Daughters OF the American Revolution
New-York. Dec. 1. 1896
MRS DARLINGS REPLY.
Irs Ellen Hardin walworth. First secretary-Gen-
eral ID. a. n.
Nv dear Mrs Walworth: My attention is called
aicallv TO your letter published In Tho Tribune
D December. 1896 and am requested to settle the
natter so far as | am involved beyond contention.
First was originator founder and organizer Of
he National Society OF the Daughters Of the Ameri-
an Revolution. It was instituted 10y me on April
!, 1890 and organized on October u Ghe nth being
undav) AT the Sraibmore Arms. Washington
here | was a guest for that purpose. Here the
lcfs-you know them well. so do and all others
.ho were interested In the movement at that date
YOU were mslcd into "A false position, the matter
between Miss Washington and yourself
was residing at Culpcper. Va. when l ins,i-
lted the order. on April 10. 1890, | returned to !
Washington TO interest others. ON April 80 / in
tied Miss Washington 10 aci with me vicepresi-
cnt our members follows: Mrs. Darling. ,
TO- /: Miss Washington. No. .; Miss Page Robin
en- of Virginia No. g. At that date | had twelve
,onbers on the rolls. among them Mrs. Trucheart ,
uck Of Culpeper. with two Of her friends at Cul-
cper. ,
| told Miss Washington 10 select twelve OF her
slatiyes and friends whom she could verify eli
.Irn ..l,. done fnn chlr Tar n.r1hn