The National tribune., 1897-08-26
THE RELIEF CORPS
Address of National President
HIT at Buffalo.

Potomac uities-Andersonvilie Prison
Property-Good Financial Condition.
National President Agnes Hit in her ad
drees before 18th National Convention, W.RC.
comments upon the golden moments spent by
the Order the past year in carrying out The
objects of their great work refers to the salts
factory condition of the National Relief Corps
Home. under the superintendence of Clara ii
Burleigh recommends that no further editions
of the Red Book be made for three years, ex-
cept through the publication of Slips that may
be gummed to the pages Of the volumes in use
and recommends the appointment OF National
Organizer in view of the fact that the Relief
Corps in the past two years has not increased
in membership as rapidly as it should, largely
owing 10 the financial depression throughout
the country. Considerable space is given to
recommendations bearing upon the routines of
the Order National President Hit said in
part:
Once more the great clock of time has licked
into eternity one more short year, and we
gather to account for the golden moments spent
in words and deeds for the grand organization
10 which we belong.
With some trepidaton but with brave hearts
and full appreciation Of the honor received
from the l4th National Convention, we estab-
lished Headquarters in indianapolis, Ind.
where we have done our part in adding to the
pages of history being made by the Woman's
Relief Corps
For number of years resolutions have come
to the National Convention asking that the
comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic
be admitted to membership in our Order. Con-
sidering that we owe our existence 10 the Grand
Army of the Republic and that the Sons OF
Veterans and all other allied societies admit
them to honorary membership. il seems only
right that we should extend to them the well
coming hani. In order that we may enter into
this new line of thought in dignified, con-
siderste manner, offer recommendation
That the following additions be made to the
Rules and Regulations: Corps may admit to
associate membership any member OF the
Grand Army of the Republic. An associate
member shall be admitted when proposed by a
member of a Corps who shall vouch for his
eligibility, and elected by a majority rising
vote of members present and voting. After
taking the obligation of associate mem bcrs
they shall receive the passwords Associate
members may be present at any business seq
sion, but shall not be entitled to vote at any
time and shall not be allowed 10 enter upon
any discussion unless invited TO do so by a vote
of the Corps Associate members may be
elected and obligated at Department or Ma
ti0nsl Conventions
THE RITUAL
The third object OF the Woman's Relief Corps
lie ito inculcste lessons OF patriotism and love
of country among our children and in the
communities in which we live" In carrying
out this great principle of our Order we have
placed flags on our school houses, patriotic
primers, salutes, anu charts in our schools;
but ia our zeal IN accomplishing all this we
have forgotten that i'm our ritualistic work we
have nothing to indicate our own allegiance to
our countrys flag After consulting a number
of the members of the Order it has been de-
cided TO place before you some changes in and
additions TO the ritual, which have been care
fully prepared, and which ] most earnestly
recommend to your consideration and for
adoption.
DEPARTMENT OF THE POTOMAC.
A petition was received at Headquarters
few months since from about onesixth of the
members of the Department of the Potomac,
king that Department be remanded TO De-
tached Corps giving the reasons therefor. This
petition was signed 10y many Of the repre-
sentative women of the Department, number
of whom were Past Department officers This
was followed by counter petition with larger
NUMBER of signatures attached. Communica-
tions were poured in with charges for and
counter-charges against until the matterseemed
80 serious that with the advice OF the National
Counselor committee, composed of Mrs. l.. A.
Turner and Emma K. Wallace, was appointed
50 accompany me TO Washington, ID. G., to in
vestigae, and, if possible, bring order and peace
out OF the discard.
On Tuesday, June s. Mrs. Wallace met me in
Washington and accom- panied me TO the De-
psrtment Headquarters where we gave the
Department officers careful and patient hear
ing Nothing was developed except to con-
al 81
nDous documents received at National Head
quarters. The Department Counselor suggested
that q mass meeting of the Corps be held.
which was done Thursday evening. June 10.
This meeting developed condition of affairs
that calls for measures that will settle once for
sill the overcoming difficulties of the Depart
ment of the Potomac. Wherefore, FOR the adj
vaucement of the Order in the City of WASH
ingtoB, and for the best interest aud progress
Of the Department of the Potomac Itself offer
recommendation
That at the end Of the present Department
administration the Department OF the Poto-
mac be remsnded TO Detached Corps
BIRTHDAY TESTIMONIAL.
In the month Of May circular was sent TO
the National Headquarters for approval, signed
by three members of the Department of Penn
sylvania, Two members of the WoDan's Relief
Corps Home Board, and the Chairman of tho
National Executive Board, containing an APP
peal to the members of our Order for contribu-
tlons to a birthday testimonial TO our Past
National President, Mrs. Wittenmyer.
Mrs. Wittenmyer's services during the civil
war IN hospitals and camps for the alienation
cf suffering soldiers,-thoGsands OF SOL
diers being provided with good food through
her success in establishing special diet ktch-
ens.-her work for Army Nurses in procuring
pensions. and her untiring efforts la the inter
ests Of the National Woman's Relief Corps
Home. all call for our highest recommendation,
snd no testimonial could be more worthily be-
slowed. Corps doubtlessly have responded as
well they could, considering the stringency
Of the times and the many demands upon their
treasures.
But the piteous appeals that have come to us
since from two widows OF soldiers, asking
for 5000 and the other for $500 TO pay the
mortgages on their homes, and our inability to
respond. leads US TO make recommendation
That hereafter no such appeal. however meri-
torious shall be sent oct unless it emanste
from National Headquarters.
IN HEMoRIAM
During the year we have been called upon
90 mourn the loss of our Past National Presi-
dent, Sarah {. Mink and the National Senior
Vice President, Marie Hasenwinkle. During
the last National Convention many hearts were
saddened by the information OF Mrs. Mink's
serious Illness la December Gods finger
touched her and she slept" In the stiffness of
the night few short weeks ago. Marie Essen-
Wrinkle passed from the natural sleep TO the
sleep Of death, painless'y, quietly leaving earth