The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-23

.-----i er-,.l .-.f ''- .e So o.. vo1 Ike
by paragraph. and The application papers
in blank; then aud there we appointed the
members Of the Board Of Managers and
the national officers. and invited the wife
Of the President CT the United States TO
De cur president. This action by your
three founders was followed by imme-
date active work, and all was confirmed
by the first public meeting called on Oc-
| tober II. 1890. These facts stand out
ciear-cut and undeniable easily proved by
( manuscript documents. From that day the
work of this national society began and
I 1T has never ceased from that time to
this. II has not only gained members and
fame. but it has gained far more than
this. in full development of the princi-
pies and sentiments which inspired us on
that memorable day of August . 1890
Three Noble Women
VIII you pardon me if I call the work
OF that day the result of an inspiration?
Not the inspiration of a moment, Not the
caprice of a new project, Not the ambi-
ton for a shallow notorietyi Oh. no, my
dear Daughters; believe me when | say
that, dearly as we prize the honors you
have given US and sweet as has been to
deepest JOY must ever spring from the
knowledge that the inspiration of that
cay came from the remote sources of the
pSst. This inspiration was the result of
slowly growing forces in the lives of
these three women, typical American
women, casually brought together from
different Ststes-women born in Virginia
Kentucky. and Illinois. representing as it
We're, that westward march of the last
century. These women had already real
lied I've pleasures, the beauties and the
opportunities of the best American life;
they had been chdstened by reverses and
many vicissitudes; they had known the
intensity and horror of a mighty war;
they were familiar with the pomp and
circumstance OF official life and knew also
the grim asceticism of those who have
lost much and must learn new lessons of
life and happiness.
What saved these women from dis
couragement and despair? One had brayed
the glaciers of Alaska in the struggle for
life; another had walked unscathed
through the suffering and perils of priva-
ton in a strange city: the third had passed
through the shadow OF an unspeakable sor-
row. Thus disciplined by circumstances
they met with one thought-that of per-
petuating and commemorative the spirit
of that common ancestry which they felt,
and knew, had given them courage and
principle with which to fight the hard
battle of life This inspiration came. too,
from the early environment and training
of these women. to whom the stories of the
Revolution were as household words; they
had been taught to venerate the founders
of our country, and from earliest childhood
had thrilled at sight OF the flag and sound
of the national anthem. Even though the
passion OF war had for a brief interval
suspended in one or the other the thrill Of
loyalty-it returned with renewed force
and the three were as one in sending out
that message which called upon all Amer
lean women OF lineal descent from Revo-
lutionary sires to unite in one great na-
tional body TO commemorate the services
of the founders of this Republic
Mrs. Fairbanks made n short address
on the signifi ance of the occasion and
was followed by Miss Wilbur. Mrs. Dor
sey. Mrs Keim, and others.
This finished the programme for The
afternoon and many members were pre-
pairing TO leave.
delegate inquired whether it would
not be advisable to proceed with the
much neglected and unfinished business |
still before the congress. and made mo- !
ton to that effect Mrs. Manning replied |
it was understood that the meeting would |
adjourn after the memorial services I'M |
til o'clock. and that she. in fact. had so |
informed some OF the MEMBER farz. !
H. V. Boyntor c.7,-d mi as.,e aid not |
;iirinn II f.:- 20 the absent members to |
go on with the business inasmuch as |
many of them were under the Impression |
that after the memorial service the meet |
ing would stand adjourned until s o'clock. |
Motions were made to take up the unfin |
ished business, and motions were made to |
adjourn. Mrs. Manning finally stepped |
forward and said:
Ladies' / think that in honor of the |
memoir of one of our founders We should |
adjourn after the memorial service"
A motion TO adjourn prevailed. The !
meeting adjourned at 1 o'clock to recon
vene at o'clock.
The morning session was occupied to
very great extent by the announcement OF