The National tribune., 1897-06-17


ment to make ade9u;Se provision for Red
Cross fund.- so that our great country may be
ready to respond quickly to calls of this kind
and IT is to be hoped that the present emer-
gency may lead to such provision. AT the same
time direct giving is what enlarges the heart
and quickens the sympathies Rev. DR.. Gil
bert, who was one of the speakers at the Wash
| ngton meeting, said he believed God WAS pre-
pairing the way for united Christendom, by
the many calls beforeous for the exercise Of
Christian charity. sincs p"g gifts cause love and
bring nations together"
PERSONAL REPORTS AT CONVENTIONS.
What We would like to see inaugurated, in
connection with Department and National
| Conventions, would be system of FIVE minute
talks by the organizations represented through
their Presidents This would greatly enhance
the value of the consolidated reports and bring
| about closer relationship between the Depart
ments or Corps officers as the case might be.
| This presentation should take place at the
| opening OF the Convention, Immediately fol-
| lowing the Presidents address. The call of
States could be made in the National Conven-
ton. and as each State was called the President
could rise In her seat. give her name and date
OF organization of her Department, the num-
Der OF Corps and members represented, amount
OF money raised and expended and for what
| purpose, and the special work to which her De-
| partment is committed, whether it be Soldiers
home, Relief Corps Home or work for the SOL
| diers orphans. Brief attention could also be
given to patriotic teaching and to the growth
Of patriotic sentiment in her State or com.
munity.
These talks should be strictly limited to
three, four or five minutes, not to exceed the
latter. Thus the double purpose would be
served OF giving State recognition from the
very Openinp of tim making all
familiar with its chief representative, and of
warming all hearts anew to tho work OF the
Order by having it presented from the personal
point of view with the sympathy and magnet
ism that always goes with the special repre-
sentative OF any cause.
For many years this has been great need Of
the Relief Corps Convention. The time could
not possibly be spent more proftably, especially
as the reading of consolidated reports is now
very generally dispensed with, the delegates
having these in printed form before them.
Too much is taken for granted in our Con.
ventions in surprising the delegates to he in
formed as to the work in sister organizations
| akin to their own but in which they have no
lmme late interest.
Surely it would be proud moment for the
President Of New York to rise in National
Convention and relate the wonderful story of
the opening and furnishing of the New York
Relief Corps Home; for California to say how
she got her big appropriation for the current
year; for Ohio to tell the thousands of soldiers
orphans to whom she gives Christmas presents
every year at the State Home; for Illinois and
Michigan, Iowa and Kansas, Colorado and
Minnesota, Massachusetts and Maine to tell OF
their untiring efforts for their Homes and SO
on through all the longro of States.
The moral stimulation would put every
woman on her mettle, and the sessions, instead
OF being prolonged and made tiresome with de-
tail, would take on all the glow and glory of q
grand revival of fraternity, Charity and
Loyalty.
RELIEF CORPS AND CITIZENS CORPS.
Commander-in Chief T. s. Clarkson made
plea for associate members of the GAR. in
which he used the Relief Corps as an example
OF the assistance and encouragement the Grand
Army might have through coming into closer
relationship with patriotic citizens.
Illinois is Commander Carkson's native
State, and he urged the Encampment TO send
delegation TO Buffalo that would take the
initiative to organize a Citizens Corps of the
GAR 1t would then be- known as the &C.
of the GAR. Commander Clarkson said:
Comrades, no one, has for the W.R.C. q
higher regard that /. We would not have been
whore and what we are, as an organization. or
stood as high in tho estimation of the public
but for the efforts of the noble women of tho
W.R.C. All praise and credit to them as long as
life shall last with US and as long as the GA Z.
shall exist.
But we need more assistance. Many men
who could not go to the war did all in their
power to assist Honest Old Abe, the dearest and
best of all great men to Us, and to aid us in put
ting down the rebellion Now these men can
do for us at home and in legislative halls what
we cannot do ourselves. Let US ask them to
organize into such body as an auxiliary to
the GAR.
II am as jealous of the rights of those wear.
ing the bronze button as any living man. but
they do not ask to attend our meetings, nor do
the W.R.C. ask to attend. But they as men
will carry on the work in their way, the same
as the WR.C. do in theirs. Comrades, we need
their help aud No can have it if we ask it,"
CALIFORNIA REPORTS INCREASE.
Increased membership and growth in pat
riotsm is reported from the Department of
California and Nevada. The Department Con-
vention was revival of patriotic interest and
the new administration enters upon its work
with bright prospects for year of prosperity
and usefulness.
Otie Mae Irwin, of William Fl. Seward Corps,
90, Woodland, has been appointed Press Corre-
spondent. The officers for 1878 are: Pres,
Mary E. Hartwell. Los Angeles; S. " p, Abbie
D. Sylvester, Riverside; J. V. p, Edith Baker,
Salinas; Sec Esther q. Skinner; Counselor,
Abbie johnson; Instituting and Installing
Officer, Louisa Buckles; Treas, Ida L. Jarvis,
Pasadena; Chap, Jennie c. Briggs, San Jose.
This Department will have four delegates to
National Convention, besides the Delegate-at-
large.
California is making much Of patriotic teach
ing, and Sarah c. Borland. who proved herself
such an efficient Chairman last year, con tinues
in her place. Rawlins Corps. Stock ton. gave a
recent chldrens' entertainment with fancy
drills and songs and recitations, to arouse patri-
otto interest.
ALL ALONG THE LINE
Corps has been instituted at Casseton,
N. D.; Sarah III. Baldwin. President
Faneul Hall, Boston, has witnessed many
patriotic rally. but nothing could exceed in in.