The morning times., 1897-02-13
AN IMPORTANT COHClAVE
The Daughters of the American
Revolution TO Meet Here.
THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER
Its Members Are Descendants of
the Men who Fought for Inde-
pendence-The Delegates VIII
Assemble in Columbia Theater
on washington's birthday.

The sixth continental congress OF the
Daughters of the American Revolution VIII
be convened in the Columbia Theater on The
morning of February %. The occasion
IS one Of national i'm portance, and tle pro-
oeedings VIII he watched with interest
throughout The country The members
are daughters Of one country, ''the land of
the free," w0rshipers at one shrine, the
altar Of American patriotism. They
know 10 north, osouth, 10 west, no east,
but with the same object and imbued with
the same spirit, vie with each other in
honoring and perpetuating the memory Of
the heroes OF the struggle for American
independence.
The organization, though only instituted
few years ago, is steadily increasing in
membership and now numbers over 900
The qualification for membership IS such
as in a measure to diminish the number
OF those eligible. The question of eliei-
bility was one OF the most important
which demanded the serious considera-
ton OF the founders of the society. The
clause in the constitution first submitted
relative TO the eligibility of members pro-
vided that the descendants of mothers OF
patriots should be eligible for mem bership
The ciaIse was warmly defended by many
members. VINO Claimed that valiant soldiers
who left no direct descendants should be
represented in a collateral line and they
cited the case of George Was hinSton
himself. The opposition claimed that it
opened the door too wide and made it
possible for the descendants of those who
had not themselves fought for orindependence
or who had even been Tories TO sit side
by side in the meetings with patriots, and
TO enjoy equal rights and privileges.
TIE controversy was lengthy and warm,
but was finally ended by the elimination of
the words, mother Of PATRIOTS thereby
making only direct descendants eligible.
TIE society has been fortunate in the
selection Of its chief officers, as viii lie
seen from the choice Of its presidents
general, all Of whom Were womenofnatiOnal
reputation. and wives of mem high in public
life The first was Mrs. Caroline Scott
Harrison, the wife OF e&-PreSdent Ben
gamin Harrison; tie next was Mrs. Letitia
Greene Stephenson, wife of Vice President
Stephenson, and the third was Mrs. Mary
Mcpherson Foster the wife Of x-Secretary
af State John ". Foster.
According to the constitution of the
society, no officer can serve more than
two terms, OF one year each, consecutively
hut after an intervening term filled by
someone else, is again eligible for election.
Mrs. Stephenson has already served two
terms as president general, and was sue
ceeded by Mrs. Foster, in 1894, who also
served two years. AT the annual meet
ing, in 1896, Mrs. Stephenson was again
chosen president general, and is eligible
10 reelection for another term, at the ap-
preaching convention. In fact, it appears
q foregone conclusion that Mrs. Stephen
son will be chosen to succeed herself. A
prominent member OF the society said a
day or two ago it was the desire of the
members Of the board OF regents that she
shall again serve the society.
There are twenty-one vice presidents
general, the first of whom is Mrs. A. G.
Brockett of No. 1926 Q street. Tie second
is Mrs. Philip Hichborn, also of this city,
the vice president general in charge Of
the organization of chapters in all parts
Of the country.
The position or fIrSt wee president general
was created at the last continental con-
gress.
Another office created at the last meet
Ing Of the congress of the Daughters Of
the American Revolution is that of chap
lain general. Mrs Elizabeth Towson
Bullock of this city was chosen TO fill
the position and on her devolves the duty
ofopening the coming congress with prayer.
Tie Society Of the Daughters of the Ameri-
can Revolution have established hcadguar