The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-20

NJ IN period in the history OF
. !. |. !. !. ]: ]: !.
Y 81 Sd our country, intervening
LasSM va sSSSsA between the cessation of
ma ~ - ~ SSgA hostiities as the colo
8nies emerged from the
1 Revolution. and the
baiIgsT2 wy I founding of new gov
Egl <E9ggEfyA WEsg ernment, that the So
lNSSGSss2 SsSSsg8S2EN ciety of the Cincinnati
VSSA 'V had its birth, in the can
SSfHSsSa torment OF the Ameri-
0Hlp can army about New
burg on the Hudson. The approach of
peace had quickened the fears of the ar
my lest peace should be made preteXt,
when it came, to dispense them before
their just demands should be satisfied
by government under the articles OF
Confederation, which they were learning
to deSpise for its weakness. It's COM
mander-in-chief Washington, felt deeply
that the army after all 1T had suffered
and achieved. should be left penniless
and turned adrift without reward or
hope for THE future and. so far as his
power and influence extended, he en-
ployed his abilities to secure ample
justice to it. Mumrings could not be
suppressed however and it was TumOred,
in Philadelphia, that the army had Sc
cretly determined not TO lay down it's
arms until due provision and Il salts
factory prospect should ba afforded on
the subject lOf their pay for, after eight
years Of faithful service. in which some
of the officers had sacrificed all their
means in the cause of liberty. many OF
them had naught confronting them, but
the doors of a debtors prison and their
pittancc of pay was many months i'll ar
rears. In March, 1888, this discomfort
assumed form in an address, generally
attributed to a General officer. which
was circulated through the camp. inyit-
ing % meeting of the officers to seek re-
dress by the 1Fsc of their powers as an.
armed body. Washington showed his
tact on this occasion by assuming con-
troll of the movement and, sumnlODing the
officers. he administered such Il rcbuke
DO them. that left to themselves, upOu
his retiring from the assemblage, they
Resolved. unanimously, that, at the
commencement of the present war the
officers Of the American army engaged
in the service of their country from the
purcst love and attachment to th8 rights
and liberties of human nature, which
motives still exist in the highest de
gree; and that no circumstances of dis
tress or danger shall induce Il conduct
that may tend to Sully the reputation
and glory which they have acquired at
the price of their blood and eight years
Of faithful service"
About this juncture the Society of
the Cincinnati sprung into existence.
Who first conceived the idea is a matter
of some uncertainty but its origin is gen.
orally conceded to Gen. Henry Knox.
AS early as 1916. at Il meeting, in
New York, Of Washington. Lee and
Knox. the latter is recorded to have
remarked that he SHOULD wish for
some ribbon, to wear i'm his hat or button
hole. to be Transmitted to his decend-
ants as Il badge or proof that he had
fought in defense of the liberties of the
colonies. 1t il said too that Washing
ton, BEING present at a service in Christ
church. Philadelphia, on December %,
1878. was alluded to by Rev. DR.. William
Smith. in a sermon on that occasion, as
the Cincinnatus of America. drawing a
historical parallel between Washington
and his Roman predecessor which may
have suggested the name and title of the
Society when il assumed form. 1t was
probably. however, the joint conception
of Mai. General. the Baron. Won Stenben
and Mai. General Henry Knox, but to
Knox must be attributed the principal
share i'm the matter for there exists, i'll
his handwriting II rough draft of the
PROPOSED organization, dated West Point,
18th of April, 1888, endorsed by him Il
Rough draft of Society to be formed
hv the American Officers and to be
called The Cincinnati This was pre-
scented to IL called meeting Of the Off
GERS. held at the "CantOument of the
American Army on Hudson's River, 10th
of May. 1888" composed Of an officer
from each regiment then in camp in
conjunction with the General officers,
over which Gen the Baron Won Steuben
nres;dpd At an adjourned meeting held
at the quarters of Gen. Baron Won Steu-
hen on May IL, 1888. the beloved In
atitntion" of the Society WAS adopted.
lis ur,nmble set forth that the Colonies
of North America having separated from
tbe domination of Great Britain had, af.
ten. 81 hoody conflict of eight years, be-
fa,se free INDEPENDENT and sovereign
states and ito perpCtuate, therefore as
u.elI tho remembrance of this vast event,
as tbc mutual friendships which have
becn formed under the pressure OF com
inc DANCER and on many instances,
cencntcd by the blood of the parties, the
officers Of The American Army do, here
by. in the most solemn manner associate
constitute and combine themselves into.
one Society of Friends, to endure as
long as they shall endure or any OF their
eldest .nnic poeterlty and, in failure
thereof, the collateral branches who may
be judged worthy of becoming It's sup
pcrters and members.
1t adopted the name Of Inc society o.
the cincinnati on account of the simil-