The National tribune., 1897-11-04

It's Part in the National
Council of Women.

tcresiing Features.
The National Council of Women of the
United States held a series of meetings, ex-
tending over four days. ia the Nomans Build-
ing of the Nashville Exposition. beginning
Oct. % when representatives, were present oil
IA of She more than score OF National bouies
affiliated.
On The second day tho theme WAS THE
National Council as a Promoter of National
Patriotism" led by Kate BTowniee Sherwood,
Chairman of the Committee on Educatlon IN
Citizenship who was followed by Susan IL.
Anthony aud other forcible speakers This
topic was succeeded the program by the
flag salute given by Nashville children. which
was arranged by the Womans Department,
through Past National President Emma X.
Wallace Delegate from the Woman's Reilei
Corps.
National President Sarah J. Martin. who is
Vice President of the Council by virtue Of her
Office, together with the Delegate, were the
official representatives Of the Relief Corps IN
attendance another prominent member present
being Louise Barnum Robbins Corresponding
Secretary of the Council of Women, who Is
PAST President of the Department OF Michigan.
Mrs Robbins had just came from Boston,
where she sent TO press Compendium OF Coun-
Gil Proeeeding. beginning with its organiZl-
tion, in 1883. II is an instructive work, care
fully complied and will be sent on application
10 members of the Relief Corps interested,
without price In IT the aims and objects oil
the Council are clearly set forth, which is To
secure greater unity of thought and action IN
all that pertain to the Improvement OF society,
CUSTOM aud law.
National President Martin presented an adj
mirable report OF the work performed 10y the
Woman's Relief Corps. opening with cordial
greetings on behalf OF her great constituency,
synopsis of which follows:
RELIEF CORPS PRESIDENTS REMARKS.
"The great desire of the Woman's Relief
Corps has been 10 prove itself worthy OF the
Grand Army OF the Republic. and make their
services useful they could not be dispensed
with. This little band OF women, organized
within the shadow of the sun capped submits
of the Rocky Noun tains, has grown TO an army
Of over 10000. 1t has instituted Corps In
every State in the Union. except one: in ali
Territories, and in the District Of Columbia;
has met in National Convention in 10 of the
great cities of our Nation, and so legislated as
TO add to the dignity of woInanhood.
=" 1t has expended hundreds of thousands OF
dollars for the alienation of want among the
old soldiers and their dependents; il has built
homes for the inirm and destitute; it has
scattered flowers over the graves of thousands
of men who made it possible for the old flag TO
wave over a united"country.
Its eligibility TO membership is broad, ad-
mitting all loyal women of good moral charac-
ter its relief is not for he bene6teof its own
members but is held sacred for the veterans
and those dependent upon them. From the
date of its organization to June 80, 1896. it
expended in relief he prineely sum of 81 3d.
1ll42.
The assets of the Woman's Relief Coprs, as
reported by the National Treasurer at Buffalo.
amounted to SIS 57S.7l, without outstanding
debts, while the expenditures for the year
amounted to S163 1905. making grand total
up to June 80, 1897, of 1881 1929. Total
number of Corps, 1928; members in good stand
ing 142 SIS.
Figures are cold facts The full sgnif.
canoe of the work might be better estimated
could it be known how many homes have been
frightened and glsddened by the minstra-
tions of the Relief Corps women. a recent
visit 10 the National Relief Corps Home Madi-
son, o., the memory of the cheerful, happy
faces of the Army Nurses and soldiers widows
spending their last days in peace and plenty,
will be benediction in years to come.
The first 10 years of our existence as a Ma
tional organization was devoted chiefly to char
liable work. Since that time it has been given
mp more and more to patriotic teaching, as
much a part of its objects rs the care of the
needy. Oar efforts have been rewarded by
having in many States the flag floating over
every scbool-house, while the children of the
land are learning the true meaning OF the Stars
and Stripes.
we desire to teach q broader patriotism
than simply love for the flag and of the coun-
try of which the flag is asymbol; patriotism
that will forbid unjust act on the part of
our country toward other nations and other
peoples; patriotism that will cause other ma
tions TO look upon our flag as the emblem Of a
great. just, and magnanlmous country; flag
under which every American eitizen will find
protection, and through which the citizens of
nc other nation shall suffer wrong"
PROMOTION OF NATIONAL PATRIOTISM.
Mrs Kate BrowHlee Sherwood in her ad-
dress On the National Council as am Agent in
the Promotion Of National Patriotism" said in
part: The National Council of Women en-
braciDg, as il does score of great National
bodies OF women affiliated together devoted to
practical philanthropy, industrial pursuits and
social. moral and Government reforms has
within itself all the agencies for the develop
ment Of National patriotism on the broadcast
lines. To better unite and solidify all the
great redemPiive forces Of or country III one
iDyincible movement to secure more intelligent
citizenship should be the common aim and
object OF every association, whether religious
educational Telormatory
How shall we educate the common citizens
Of the United States, the girls as well as the
boys, in letter knowledge of the duties and
obligations, as well as the privileges. OF Ameri-
can citizenship? This WORK should begin in
the family and in the schools by teaching that
every one who receives the benefits Of an edu-
cation takes upon himself the duty of extend
ing this knowledge 10 others that the man
who gets must be the mau who gives aud that
the larger our opportunities the more binding
IL IS upon US TO give like opportunities to
Others. Every neglected and degraded child
In the darkest sluns OF our cities is a menace
70 the children who live in the homes of lux
uTy and wealth aud 10 this / might add that
every child OF the homes Of luxury vino is
brought up ia sel6sbness and exclusiyeness is
menace 10 the child vino dwells in the sums
What means the great uprising we witness
among the women Of these latter days? What
means the assembling OF great societies like
these at the Tennessee Centennial? What
means il that when women come together i'm
numbers great small, the theme is better
culture, better things for life both m aterial aud
immaterial? What means it, if il is not that
through the conflict of ideas that has been
going on. now IN the lpit, ia the forum,
now through the shock of arms aud the tbun-
dering Of cannon, in The silence aud
through the still small voice that has follow ed
Abe whirlwind and The fire. great truths have
been released from the keeping of the few 10
become the property of the maHy2
What have been the themes that have taken
hold Of the hearts aud conscences OF the
wcmeu assembled these last weeks OF the Ten.
nessee Cenntenial-the Daughters OF the Amer
can Revolution, the General Federations oil
Women's Clubs, the Woman's Press As.ocia
ton? They have all touched upon the expan.
a. d -