The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-07-21
ORIGINATED BY GEN. KNOX.
Idea or ORGANIZING THE SOCIE-
TF OF THE CINCINNATI.


nership-somc French Officers Menu
bers-The Connecticut Branch.
Inc Society of the Cincinnati was
organized among the officers Of the
continental army during the monte of
May, 1888. General Knox is believed to
nave been the originator of the idea
me army was about to be disbanded,
ana 1t was felt that there should be
some organizati ton for the preservation
Oh the memories of the great struggle
ana OF the friendships that had been
formed among those who had stood
shoulder to shoulder in achieving libor-
W and independence. Most of the Of
Hcers were poor; many were bankrupt;
and material aid and assistance was
one of the objects in founding the or
der.
Inc preliminary meetings were held at
the headquarters of Baron Steuben in
FlShkill. The house is still standing.
The baron presided and General Knox
presented an institution Cor constitu-
tioD which was adopted, and was
signed by the delegates who attended.
By request of the convention, Washing
ton signed first. An officer from east of
the state lines was appointed to organ
lie the state branch societies in the sew
eral states. A general meeting was to
be held every three years, which was to
be composed of five delegates from each
state society. Washington was elected
president-general Of the order, and held
IL
ceeded by Alexander Hamilton, General
Dearborn, General Popham, Morgan
Lewis, G. G. Pinckney and others down
to the present president-generol, Will
liam Wayne, of Pennsylvania.
Commissioned officers of the Cont
mental army who had served three years
with credit were made eligible to mem
bersllip on subscribing months pay
to the society fund. They were to be
succeeded by their eldest lineal male de-
scendants, or in failure there of, of such
collateral relatives as might be thought
worthy of admission.
The line of succession is from eldest
son to eldest SON. If there is no male
issue, the succession goes to the eldest
daughters son. If there is no issue it
goes to the next of kin, the brother or
sisters son, &c.
Some years ago the general society
extended the right of membership to the
eldest lineal male descendant of a Con-
tinental officer who were eligible, but
did not become members during their
lifetime.
The French military officers from the
grade of colonel and upwards, and ma
val officers from captain and upwards
were also made eligible. Under this
rule, Lafayette, Marquis de Rocham-
beau, Count De Grasse, Count DIES
taing and many others were admitted.
The order was divided into thirteen
state societies, one for each Of the orig
inal states Each state society is re-
ouired to meet annually on the Fourth
of July
The society took it's name from Gin
cinnatus, who left his plough to save his
country from the foreign invaders Its
motto is Comma Reliquit Servare Rem
publican" A jewel or "order" was also
adopted; gold "bald-headed eagle,
bearing on its breast and back two
shields, on which are represented, in
enamel, Cincinnatus at his plough re-
ceiving his commission from the Roman
senator's city with open gates hand
holding a heart. Fame, as an angel,
blowing trumpet, &c. 1t is worn
suspended from a blue ribbon edged
with white, the two colors denoting the
alliance of the United States and France
during the Revolution.
Soon after its organization violent
storm of persecution arose against the
society. 1t was urged that it was an
"order of nobility" that "the Cincinnati
would monopolize all the officers, &c,
&c. A South Carolina judge wrote a
pamphlet attacking the society," which
was translated into French and repub-
lished in France by Mirabeau. The
Massachusetts legislature threatened to-
disfranchise it's members. The Connect
icut legislature twice refused to incor-
porate the Connecticut society. From
this and other causes several Of the state
societies disbanded; New Hampshire,
Rhode Island, Connecticut Delaware,
Virginia, North Carolina and Georgian
Within the last twenty-five years all of
the dormant" societies have been re-
vived, and Rhode Island, Connecticut,
Delaware Virginia and North Carolina
have been admitted into union with the
general society. Theot her two New
Hampshire and Georgia. will be admit
ted at the triennial meeting of 1902,
which will be held at Hartford with the
Connecticut society.
The Connecticut society, which was
dissolved in 1904, was reorganized in
1889 by General Dwight Morris, c. Fl.
Pond. Rev. A. N. Lewis and Others, and
was restored by the general society
in 1898. 1t has forty-tWo members and
fund of over ten thousand dollars.
The Connecticut society is DESTROYS of
extending its membership to all who are
eligible and worthy. Gentlemen de-
seconded from Revolutionary officers
who feel interested in this venerable and
Industrious order, are invited to COM
municate with Rev. A. N. Lewis Mont
heller. Vermont, who will give all ne
cessary information, and to whom all
.annlications for membership should be
directed A circular giving the list of
members from 1888 to 1899 and full in
formation as to qualification, eligibility,
&c. will be sent to any who may desire
it. Address
REV. A. N LEWIS,
chaplain and Historian
Conn. State Society of the Cincinnati,
Montpelier, Vermont
tl1n