New-York tribune., 1901-04-01
CRITTCTSM OF THE u. A. r.
A DAUGHTER WHO BELIEVES THEY HAVE
FALLEN FROM GRACE-PUss IN
THE CORNER GAME

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: have read letter which appeared in your
paper. dated March and signed by "A New-York
Daughter in which the writer sets forth the
'airns and efforts Of the D. A. r." and states
that il is accomplishing great work.
VIII YOU give me space in which TO say some
thing upon this subject?
The Daughters Of the American Revolution had
IN fits inception the lofest aims the noblest work
OF any organization ever founded. Has it, however
kept true TO the principles which were it's birth
right? Year after year for time past dele
gates have come TO Washington. many OF them
thousands OF miles legisate to carry out the
purposes for which the society was founded. Alas!
how far from the path has it strayed. Year after
year these delegates return 10 their homes dis
heartened and mortified by the failure 10 enact
some important measure for the best interests Of
the body; by the flibustering and delaying Of
work until the last moment when many Of the dele
gates have been compelled to 10 their distant
homes. with record Of receptions. dinners. lunch
cons and other functions. but with little If any,
real work done for the welfare OF the body large.
In the recent congress there was much to be de-
plored. Party spirit and political schemes were
evident II is q well known principle that the
chair voices simply the Will OF the body while as
fact the chair, during the recent congress voice5
first, last and always, her Will and what she
considered the furtherance Of party interest A
paid parliamentarian was engaged TO rule when
the chair got into a tangle but he succumbed in n
few days. showing what dangerous thing II is 70
NEEDLE In differences between women When
any matter came up which savored OF coercion an
effort was made 10 muzze the press. but this failed
general thing.
The upper gallery of the opera house was filed
with curious lookers-on. and by many who. regret
TO say, look upon the annual Congress of the Daugh
tiers Of the American Revolution hardly sec
ond 10 the annual visitation of the circus This
is a lamentable fact. and which the thought
full element IN tk,s great organization must deeply
deplore.
IT is not an unreasonable demand from the peo-
pie Of this great country that the Capitalization OF
power which has obtained for many years in the
national board should cease The inient 81 tbo
constitution was that a person should hold office
but Two years eonsecuuvely, but this has been
evaded by the officers changing from one ONCE 10
SaoIher & except % The g each two
game Until some woman IS bright enough and
person shall hold any oce on the heu0a 6a6R5 5h
board for more than two consecutive years this
rado and other distant States wifi plead in vain
as Il did this year. for right to a place upon the
In closing. I desire point the society the
fiy speak in vain / know, but that does not ab-
solve me from my duty in so speaking. First the
for a number Of years past been an injury the
oi Ignoring the hroad repu3hcan spirit with which
the society was founded and which the corner
danger Of denying the right that every respecta-
bic and capable woman in any one OF the vast num-
has 10 ne oFce of Iresjden, ti i ne
fashion that in which every American born bow
may look forward the possibility Of becoming
the President of these United States: third that
the Daughters failing remember that
courtesy. kindness and a due regard for the feel
incs Of others outvalues by far fine robes. Jewels
and insignia. and that they accountable to God
and history for the wise, careful and judicious
welding OF the great power intrusted TO them not
only FOR the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
but for centuries I come.
! dare speak thus plainly. for I am "A charter
member Of this society, and ! know upon what n
noble foundation II builded. and far n has
fallen from grace. dare speak thus because I
believe that IL is time that the society should
Offering spectacle OF itself which unbelievers'
may scon; because ! am ashamed TO have persons
say do not know how behave ourselves and
are a source of amusement and disdan TO the coun-
try large.
As 10 what has been said about the National
Boards decree, that in future press representatives
are 10 he debarred the congresses Of the society I
would only that this is a dangerous thing 10 do
% have the country know what IL IS doing or
light Of day.
] trust that the God Of Truth and OF this great
nation VIII bring 10 realizing sense OF frs mis-
takes and 10 effort 20 return 10 the earlier
teachings of the society this large BODY OF women
whose example should be for all that Is dignifed
honorable and useful Yours truly
(AirsD MARIAN LONSFELLOW O'DONOGHT-F
40 22. National Society OF the Daughters OF the
American Revolution ~
i WashinKtoI- d. g. March 30. 1901
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