The Saint Paul globe., 1899-02-12

union of the Daughters of the American
Revolution with the Daughters OF the Revo-
luton has been discussed at various times
and places without result owing among
other things. TO organic differences. The last
sectional discussion Of the matter comes
from Colorado, where committee was ap-
pointed To Investigate the matter and sub
init a report
While it IS rot quite clear what the Colo
redO women hoped 70 acd @plish since there
could be nc corporate unlvn OF local soeie-
ties unless the national organizations ANAL
gamated yet the report submitted by the in
vestigating committee is interesting. Be
sides making clear the differences in the two
organizations. it also reveals two ideals Of
sristocracy as well as of patriotism.
The report reads:
Al the time OF our organ iZation in July,
1894. the same proporuonate difference in the
membership Of the two societies existed. We
discussed the matter fully al that time, and
decided in favor 1f the Daughters of the Rev
Olurion. for TWO reasons mainly:
Fjrst-The Sons OF the Revolution was the
only patriotic society existing in our state at
that time, and g. their requirements were the
same as our own, namely. strict Hneal de-
scent only giving 4 claim 10 membership. and
because of their priority OF organization to
all other patriotic societies. wished to
uphold and assist them IN all their enter
prises
Second-the marked difference in govern
ment between the Daughters Of the Revolu-
ton and the Daughters Of the American Rev
oluticn.
ORGANIC DIFFERENCES.
The Daughters of the American Revolution
society is governed by q national board at
Washington, which concentrates in itself all
authority
State organizations, as such there are none
Inc only authority given 10 state regents is
that by virtue OF their position they are dele
gates TO the national board. Besides the re-
gents there are other officers. CHAPTERS are
responsible 10 he same national board and all
fees. half the dues and other moneys are sent
TO this board. This fact alone gives great
power 10 the general officers. ana is detri-
mental TO patriotic work in a state as a
whole. Single chapters may undertake patri-
otic work. but there is no provision for union
OF effort
The organization of the general society,
Daughters Of the Revolution provides for
board Of malag gers including the officers and
fourteen members. which board has general
oversight OF the affairs of the society, passes
upon application blanks. admits members and
organizes state societies. IN the respective
states where there IS a Daughters of the
Revolution organization the affairs Of the
society arc managed by state societies. which
in turn have supervision OF local chapters,
and of the members in the state.
These state societies have a complete set of
officers. and the control is thus distributed
as IN our central government, between the
One point often made by the Daughters OF
the American Revolution is that they have
national charter. From the fact that the
ciety incorporated in the District of Co
lumbia. where the only body 10 confer
charter OF any kind IS congress. this claim
loses all significance The society stands
upon exactly the same level any other
corporation chartered n the district, and its
powers are no more
SKETCH OF THE D. r
The Society of the Daughters of the Revo-
luton was organized in September, 1891, by
certain members OF the Daughters of the
American Revolution, who disapproved OF the
loose conditions OF administration implied in
the mother OF patriot clause, and Of the
spirit of autocracy manfresting itself in the
management at Washington.
The requirements for admission we're fixed
In the beginning as lneal descent from
Revolutionary ancestor, and unquesttoned
proof of the patriotic services Of such an
cestOr. Collateral claims were absolutely
barred out and such statements as ''he rem
dered important service IN the Revolutionary
war and he was officer in the Revolu
tion under Washington were not accepted
Applicants were required 10 make sworn
statement before q notary public to the
truth of their line of descent. and also give
documentary and sworn proof of ancestor
services This oath, before a notary, has
not been a necessary requirement in the So
ciety of Daughters of the American Revolu-
ton. and this may IN some measure account
for the very large accessions 10 their ranks.
The rules laid down by the Society of the
Daughters of the Revolution have been strict
ly adhered to. and no consideration OF wealth
or social position have caused the slightest
deviation. The spirit of the Daughters is
purely democratic. No person is elected to
Office because OF her great social influence,
and the same spirit is shown most conclusive
~ in the matter OF insignia There is but
one badge for all Daughters recognizable in
our country. No jewels and no bars are per-
mitted to show difference in wealth or
lineage.
OBJECTS OF THE TWO ORDERS.
The objects Of the TWO societies are similar.
No irvidous comparison should be made be-
tween the work Of the Daughters Of the Rev
clution and the Daughters of the American
Revolution in the late war with Spain From
the larger membership of the Daughters OF
the American Revolution very small sum
from each person would swell the total
and its work with the Red Cross is worthy
OF all praise. But the work of the Daugh-
ters Of the Revolution in the larger states,
and even in OUT own state, is not to be for
gotten. The committee says:
In the thirteen original states the Daugh-
ters work is directed toward marking Rev
oluuohary sites and preserving monuments
documents and relics. In the newer stats
the work Is more devoted 10 promoting the
observance Of national hcIGavs and in arors-
irg and fostering spirit OF patriotism in the
public schools To that end in Colorado we
IN connection with the Sons OF the RevoIu-
li0lls SldTG IL lle national reputation ri in
sJttuung rag day-a DAY when thousa nds Of
school children parade, waving the Red
Nhite and Blue, with bands OF music and
patriotic speeches TO impress the observance
OF The day n their youthful minds
With the sons We have celebrated the
birthday of Father Of Our Countrv with
speeches ana songs 10 rouse our latent pa
tlotsm. We nave triUmphed again over the
evacuation Of New York bv the british
army Our society has placed the portrait Of
George Washington in twenty-five Of our pub
SCHOOLS rr-cr i
pagers since last May 20 our Colorado troons
in far-away Manila.
We have never conferred honorary. m ennber-
snip on Spanish princess, nor have we di-
Yerted the aims Of our society from its first
purpose There is no question OF lack of
harmony between the Daughters of the Revo-
lutcn ana the Daughters of the American
heFo-utlon; We simply wish. in Colorado. to
retain and maintain our own organization
We are the original society in Colorado
We are by far the largest hereditary natri
site society in Colorado We are n T5aa1 a.
Ecendants OF Revolutionary ancestors. There
never can De any question about our status
-. "5 ~ !. ue ,uausnters. We belong to a society
"here All members stand on an eauaI fnotinG
ana we ned not apologize for an assoeiafs
OF make ei2boFate eNpla anations why s,,ob =
one was admitted. To enter the SocTe-r "a
TIE Daughters OF the American RevoIntion
would be to give away our bir1brieh+ and -
tllro~ away tne fruits that some years of Ia
poE nave gained: 1t would be an act of foIivs
elu great injustice 10 those who have entered
our society Tor the reasons above given
III cioslhg- We are not premature in SAVING
LAT @ II eVer the tine should come when our
general society feels that the in+are1 Oot as
harmony and patriotism demand Tnfo .;
these similar societies. then as sta+s - "a ~ "
lall IN hne with the gensraI movements wirb-
cut deserving our colors one by one or Chan
ter by chapter. - Zap
The committee requested an opinion from
he Sons OF the Revolution as to their feeJinr
D. the subject Of possible union betwaa1
HE societies OF the Daughters of the Reyolu-