The National tribune., 1900-02-08
DAUGHTERS OF VETERANS.
History and Growth of Patriotic order of
Young women.

The Order of Daughters of Veterans
grew out of an organization known as the
Ruby Seal. society among the AZ Gram
mar School girls of Massillon, o: On the
Both of May, 1885, five of these girls on theil
return from the cemetery, where they haC
assisted in decorating the soldiers graves
decided to organize an Order for the puf
pose of assisting the Grand Army on Me
| mortal Day. On the 9TH of June. 1888, the
order of Ruby Seal" was changed to thai
of Daughters of Veterans"
AT that time the following was adopted
NAME.
| This association shall be known as
the National Alliance. Daughters of Vet
Grams of the United States of America.
PRINCIPLES.
We-believe firmly in Almighty God, and
fully realize that it was under his benevolent
Providence that the free institutions OF our
land; conSecrated to us by the service and
blood of our fathers and brothers, have
been preserved, and the integrity and life
of the Nation maintained.
True loyalty to the Government of the
United States of America, based upon a
respect and devotion and fidelity to its
Constitution and laws, made evident by
our disapprobation of ANYTHING that is dis
loyal, reasonable, or rcbellious, or any
thing that will, in any manner, impair
the efficiency and permanency of our Ma
tional Union.
OBJECT.
This corporation is not formed for profit,
but to perpetuate the memories of our
fathers and brothers, their loyalty to the
Union, and their unseltish sacrifices for
the perpetuity of the same, and to keep
green the memory and history of those
who participated in that heroic struggle
for the maintenance of our free Gov ern-
ment.
To aid them and their widows and Or
phans when helpless and in distress, and
to aid and assist those in our Order who
are worthy and needy.
To inculcate love Of country and pat
rlotISm among our sex; to promote equal
rights and universal liberty to all; and to
acquire, by donation or otherwise, all
necessary property and funds to carry
out the aforesaid objects.
To assist the Grand Army to commem-
crate the deeds of its fallen comrades on
the Goth of May until such time as it shall
devolve on their descendants.
ELIGIBILITY.
All daughters of honorably discharged
soldiers, sailors, and marines who served
in the Union army or navy during the re-
bellion of 1S61-1S65, who have attained
the age of Is years, are eligible for MEM
bership.
These daughters, and those of the Sons
Is, and so on in genealogical order. The
eligibility can never be changed.
In December of the year 1885 a com
mittee of five members Of Hart Post, 134,
Ohio Department Of the Grand Army of
the Republic, secured the articles Of in
corporation for this new society.
The articles of incorporation were signed
and read at Columbus, O., the 18th day
of December, 1885. CThat day has since
been called the National birthday of the
Order of the Daughters of Veterans, United
States of America, and is celebrated as
such by all Daughters wherever { society
has been formed.)
The first Tent, formed at Massillon, o.,
was named for Mrs. Mckinley, who is
wife of the gallant officer, Maj. William
Mckinley, and at this time our honored
President.
The first National Convention was held
at Quincy, ILL.,, June 25, 26, 27.
The muster roll showed 1914 members in
good standing in the Order, but the girls
were enthusiastic and determined, and
knowing their cause was worthy, proceeded
to organize National Department. These
girls, animated only by desire to succeed,
and with real devotion and determination
worthy of their veteran fathers, adopted
as their watchword, Onward ever! Sur
render never!" took for their motto,
The flag our fathers saved, ''and undertook
the work.
NJ. Estella Mcmillan, of Massillon, O.,
was elected first National President, with
Elizabeth Beardsley, of Alliance, o., as
Secretary, and Mrs. Carrie Donald, Min
Mimi, Treasurer.
The first Tent organized under the Ma
'ional Department was at Hiawatha, Kan,
and on Sept. II, 1890, Ohio Department
was formed.
Then the East caught the idea, and
Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New
York We're added to the list. At this writ
ing there are six State Departments
Ohio, Massachusetts, New York, New
Illinois, and Nebraska. |
The States having Tents, but not yet |
numerous enough to form Departments, |
are Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, North |
Washington, Wisconsin, Mime |
sofa, Georgia, California, Indiana. Mas |
sachusetts is the banner State in Tents |
and membership.
The second National Convention, held |
At Massillon, o., in July, 1891, brought |
ogether a large number of enthusiastic |
and patriotic Daughters. At that Con-
rentiOn Mollie Robertson, of Keokuk, |
iowa, was elected President and NJ. Rose |
Jansen Secretary. The Order had by this |
line grown to such dimensions that 1t |
vas considered advisable to hold its future |
National Conventions at same time and |
olace as those Of the Grand Army of the
Republic.
CHARITY.
1t is not my intention to go into detail |
Is regards our work. To my mind true
,harity never boasts. l will simply say