Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-11-11
DAUGHTERS OF CoNFEDERAcY

~ - - -
The United Daughters of the Con-
federacy were convoked in session in
Baltimore yesterday. The proceedings
were replete with many incidents Of a
thoroughly dramatic order. Indeed,
the morning session itself was intro
duced with a striking and touching
event, which perforce will send thrill
of happy qualification through the
heart OF old Virginia. From that State
were present six duly commissioned
delegates. These delegates carried in
their custody the petition from the Vir
GINA division of the Daughters of the
Confederacy asking to be accepted into
| the universal body of the United
Daughters. When this petition was
submitted the voice of Maryland was
the first to sound the note of welcome.
Miss Jennie Carey, of the Baltimore
chapter, was the delegate who for
mally moved to admit the Virginia d.
vision in It's entirety. The spontaneous
outburst of cordial delight with which
the motion was greeted instantly
evinced the pleasure with which the
order was willing to Incorporate the
Old Dominion into its organized unity.
The entire convention, with one &C.
cord, lifted solid sound of approval.
Every delegate rose to her feet, every
voice shouted AYE" handkerchiefs
waved their salutations, and the act
was done.
This incident, which evoked such
unm;stakable evidences of the affection
ate reverence in which old Virginia is
held, has increased the numerical
strength Of the order by nearly two
thousand, and has added to the list of
delegates about ninety representatives
from that one State.
Another event of interest was the
presentation of q gavel to the president
of the central body of the general or.
ganization. 1t was to have been re.
ceived by Mrs. Fitzhugh Lee, but her
absence being compelled by sickness,
Mrs. Daniel Giraud Wright, first vice
president of the order, acted in her
stead. The gavel was the gift of the
delegation from Alabama. 1t was
made of wood cut from "Beauvoir,"
the celebrated homestead of Mr.. Jeffer.
son Davis. The gavel is handsomely
adorned with silver, bearing upon its
surface polished scroll upon which 10
engrave each successive presidents
name. The presentation remarks were
made by Mrs. Beale, chairman of the
Alabama delegation. Mrs. Wright
very appropriately responded.
The proceedings of yesterday were
divided into two sessions. 1t was at
the morning session that the address of
welcome was delivered by Mrs. Daniel
Giraud Wright, president of the Balti.
more chapter. Mrs Augustine Smythe,
another vice president OF the order, re.
sponded in language that thrilled with
appreciation. Then followed the re-
ports Of the presidents of State divis.
ions. They were ali teeming with
multitude of encouraging facts, as we'll
as abundance of suggestions and ideas.
The feature of the afternoon session
was the address by Mrs. W. b. FELTON,,
in which she urged that the Daughters
cf the Confederacy undertake the edu
cation of those children rendered pen
niless because of the sacrifice of paren.
tai lives and property to the southern
cause.
The society met again this morning,
when the delegates engaged themselves
in discussing and settling the numerous
amendments to the constitution which
have been proposed.
But, after all, the most brilliant fea.
ture Of yesterdays experiences was the |
delightful and elaborate social function
of last night. This was reception
rendered the guests of the Maryland |
Daughters in honor of the visiting dele.
yates from all over the nation.
Among some of the guests from dis.
lance were G. N. Barney, of Frederick 3.
burg; Mrs. Charles NJ. Blackford, of
Miss Mary Amelia Smith,
OF Warrenton, daughter of the war gov.
ernor of the Old Dominion, and Miss
Ruth Early, of LypchbQrg,