Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-05
DAUGHTERS PROTEST.
RICHMOND CHAPTER OPPOSES A
SUCCESSOR TO WINNIE PAWS.
STRONG RESOLUTIONS ARE ADOPTED.
The Delegation to the State Meeting
Instructed to Vote Against the Pro-
position-Letter to sedgvvick Post
Letters from Miss Hill.

Richmond Chapter Of the Daughters OF
the Confederacy has entered an emphatic
protest against the election Of any one to
succeed to the proud title OF Daughter
OF the Confederacy," SO long and grace
fully worn by the late Miss Winnie Davis.
There was not a dissenting vote cast,
and in the argument which preceded the
adoption of a formal protest no word
was heard but one OF disapproval. The
chapter went step further. indeed, ana
instructed all delegates 10 the forth
coming convention Of the Grand Division
OF Virginia, to be held In Petersburg, to
vote as an unit against the bestowal OF
the title upon any one, now, or at any
time
1t was a gloomy afternoon, but that
fact did not deter the members OF the
chapter from attending the meeting call
ed for 40 O'clock at Lee Camp Hall. The
attendance was very large.
THANKS TO sEDGwICK POST.
The following letter. addressed to Sedg-
wick Post, G. A. r, Of Providence, K. l.,
was drafted by the president and adopt
ed by the chapter:
Grand Army Of the Republic, Command
of Sedgwick Post. Providence, r. J.:
Dear Sir,-The Richmond Chapter
Daughters of the Confederacy, desire to
extend to your post thanks for the gene
rous act OF rendering an escort TO the re-
mains of Miss Winnie Davis, the Daugh-
ter of the Confederacy," the chilG or our
loved President, Jefferson Davis, me
women Of the South have never laid down
their arms. The Grand Army OF the Ke-
public has never meant to them any
thing but the sorrow, horror, want ana
desolati0n of many years, ana while they
can never forget the graves OF their dead
and the Just cause their fathers so no
bly, defended, the generous act OF me
Grand Army Post will make them Tor
give. We wish your post could nave Deeh
here to have seen the funeral OIL MISS
Winnie Davis. 1t was glorious triumph
of a conquered people, made possible by
the noble life Of the Daughter OF the
Confederacy. Future generations, wneh
they read of General Grants refusing 10
accept the sword of General Lee at APP
pomattox should also read how SedgWick
Post, Grand Army Of the Repuolic, ten
dered an escort of honor to Mrs. Davis,
the woman who had no favors 10 bestoW,
but was simply the broken-hearted mo-
Their of the Daughter of the Contederacy.
Respectfully,
Mrs n. V. RANDOLPH, President.
Mrs. Dabney /. Carr,
Corresponding Secretary.
THAT COVETED TITLE.
This led the discussion into the chan
mel of the coveted title. and the follow
ing protest was offered by Mrs. John Pur-
cell and unanimously adopted:
Let the Richmond Chapter. Daughters
of the Confederacy, enter their most ear
nest protest against the election of a
successor to her whose birth and name
alone entitled her TO bear the proud and
tender epithet of 1.-THE Daughter OF the |
To us IL seems it would |
be a mockery and a dissertation, and that |
It would only be an empty honor Tor any |
other than Winnie Davis TO wear the |
crown that deep and sacred sentiment, |
springing direct from the hearts OF no.
Die and bleeding nation, crowned her with,
l title symbolic of the purest and ten
lerest love OF a chivalrous people. she |
alone can possess this immortal heritage.
And those who would seek TO wrest 1t
rom her find they have obtained but
meaningless words TO deck another When
Winnie Davis died, the title, like
Ter soul. passed out into a realm beyond
,ur ken or power. AS her noble and
evered father was the first and only Pres
dent of the Confederacy, Winnie Davis,
he only daughter born in the white
House." was christened by the unanimous
-oice of the brave men who risked their
ortunes and their lives in defence or
ur righteous cause. Shall they be asked
o adopt another in her place? No; a
thousand times no! Let the protest OF
90 Daughters of the Richmond Chapter
Use as one voice and proclaim Winnie
Davis the first, and must be the last TO
lain that title, Daughter Of the Con-
Wound not her dear mothers
heart by asking her TO
ecognize another.
Mrs. Robinson made motion, which
,as carried, that the Daughters from
he Richmond Chapter to the annual
Meeting of the Grand Division in Peters
urg be instructed TO vote as unit
gainst the bestowal Of the title OF The
laughter Of the Confederacy on any one
ow or in the future. Further, that this
ction Is taken in the interest OF harmony ]
nd with a full appreciation OF the many J
air and gifted descendants of noble Con-
sderate men.
Miss Harris reported from the Winnie
,avis Monument Association that re-
ponses have come from many parts OF
ne country 1t is earnestly hoped that
s this monument Is TO be a work OF
we. all will send their loving tribute.
o matter how small; IT is a free-will
fering. not an assessment. The Rich
,ond Chapter voted $50. Many indi- |
dual members have also subscribed.
LETTERS FROM MISS LUCY HILL.
Miss Lucy Lee Hill, daughter of Gene
II A. p. Hill. whose claims as a success {
,r 10 the title borne by Miss Davis have ]
zen advocated by friends who are promi- I
INT in Confederate circles, has written
letter to General Thomas A. Brander
which she says: 7
'If / could only write you as / feel,
III would see how keenly this affair of |
e Daughter of the Confederacy' has
stressed me. / appreciate the fact that :
V friends sought thus to honor my
Their through me, but ii was a mistaken =
ndness. / want you and through you ,
e r. T. Lee Camp, to know that the =
hole affair has distressed me immeasur- b
,ly, and 10 that heartbroken mother L A
tend my regret that the controversy
oud have arisen
In another letter Miss Hill says: +
1T has given me much pleasure to a
low how many friends | have in this i
after OF the succession to the title OF n
aughter OF the COnfederacy.' II is an a.
nor unsought by me, and. with General -
,rdon, / say the title should die with :,
e original possessor, Winnie Davis.
lere cannot always be a Daughter of
0 Confederacy, for / am the last one | :
a generals daughters to be born at
&C time, and with me ii would end | -
len why not now? No greater honor .,
uld be paid President jefferson Davis's ~
lighter than TO bury with her the title NJ
e wore so proudly. / am content as In
am, a Confederate soldiers daughter. | A