Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-21
BUSINESS PROGRAM
MEMBERS TO ATTEND UNWILLING
CEREMONIES AT ARLINGTON.
Statistical Report Showing Strength Of
the Organization-The Society's
Great Seal.

The National Society of Colonial Danes
Of America held it's first general meeting
of the biennial session of the council in the
colonial parlor of the New Wizards this
morning, opening promptly at 10 o'clock.
The president, Mrs. Howard Townsend of
New York, was in the chair. The other Of
ficers present were Mrs. Herbert A. Clai-
borne of Virginia and Mrs Samuel Colt of
Connecticut, vice presidents; Mrs. j. j.
Jackson, Maryland, secretary, and Mrs.
Anne HoIlingsworth Wharton Of Philadel-
phia, historian
The only decoration of the council room
was a big bunch of red and white roses.
The room was hastily selected. it is said.
and there will probably be some flags placed
about the room by tomorrow.
Very little business was transacted, as
everybody was getting ready for the dedi-
cation of the monument reared by the
Danes to the memory of the Spanish war
soldiers.
The president announced with regret the
death of two members of her staf-Mrs. r.
d. Gillespie of Philadelphia, first vice pres
ident, and Miss Elizabeth Byrd Nichols,
treasurer, of this city The president APP
pointed treasurer ad interim Mrs. A. j.
Cassatt of Philadelphia. The report which
Mrs. Cassatt presented to the council is
sale: to be eminently pleasing to the society.
The only figures given out were those con-
monument has cost the society SI,259.5S.
The idea originated nearly two years ago.
and the funds have been contributed by all
the societies in the organization.
The report of the registrar shows that the
membership of the society is now 1851. OF
these members, 1856 are colonial and 1,29G
are non-coonial. The increase in the past
two years has been 6O6 the colonial states
giving 374 and the non-colonial 232. There
have been 224 deaths and 1913 designations.
The badges registered and sold number
2,733
Mrs. Lester of Detroit. Mich, who has
labored indefatigably as chairman of the
Spanish memorial committee. was this
morning rendered rising vote of thanks.
Report of the Secretary.
The secretary's report was largely de-
voted to routine matters. She announced
that the law suit brought against o rival
society for calling itself 1.-The Colonial
Dames," which was practical presumption
Of the title. 1.-The National Society of the
Colonial Danes of America, had been de-
cided in favor of the organization now IN
session, and it's title is now unincumbered
The society is said to be in Furnishing
condition The Danes do not seek to add to
their numbers rapidly. Quality and not
quantity is their watchword.
The convention adjourned at 12:3O and the
delegates and alternates will attend the I'M
yelling ceremonies at Arlington this after
noon, but will not go in a body. Tomorrow
and EriQaY, Wllcn IS the last Gay VI INC
session, there will be two meetings a day,
with adjournment at 1870 for lunch. The
election of officers will probably take place
tomorrow afternoon OF Friday morning. II
any lady aspires to the presidency or any
other office she is keeping 1t very quiet as
it has not been possible to get an opinion
from one of the delegates as to who the
candidates may be. About $50 delegates
have arrived.
Declaration of Principles.
The declaration of principles on which the
constitution of the Danes was founded is
as follows:
History shows that the remembrance of
a nations glory in the past stimulates to
national greatness in the future, and that
successive generations are awakened to
truer patriotism and aroused to nobler en-
deavor. by the contemplation of the heroic
deeds of their forefathers; therefore, the
Society of the Colonial Danes of America
has been formed that the descendants of
those men who in the colonial period by
their rectitude, courage and self-denial pre-
pared the way for success in that struggle,
which gained for the country its liberty and
Constitution, may associate themselves to-
gether to do honor to the virtues of their
forefathers and to encourage in all who
come under their influence true patriotism,
built on a knowledge of the self-sacrifice
and heroism of those men Of the colonies
who laid the foundation of this great ma
ton
The society is to be known by the name,
style and title of the National Society Of the
Colonial DANES of America. 1t is to be
composed of state societies, of which there
shall be one in each Of the thirteen original
states and one in the District Of Columbia.
There may be an associate society in any
of the non-colonial states. by and through
the consent of the national society.
The object of the society Is to collect and
preserve manuscripts, traditions, relics and
mementoes of by-gone days. to preserve
and restore buildings connected with the
early history of country; to dffuse
healthful and intelligent information con-
corning the past; to create popular inter-
est in our colonial history; to stimulate
spirit of true patriotism and a genuine love
Of country; and to impress upon the young
the sacred obligation of honoring the mem
DRY of those heroic ancestors whose ability,
valor sufferings and achievements are be-
yOnd all praise.
Eligibility Clause.
The clause on eligibility is as follows:
The state societies shall be composed en-
tirely of women who are descended in their
own right from some ancestor of worthy
life who came to reside in an American
colony prior to 1850, which ancestor or
some one Of his descendants being lienal
ascendant of the applicant. shall have rem
dered efficient service to his country dur
ing the colonial period, either in the found
ing of a commonwealth. of fnstitu-
ton which has survived and developed into
Importance, or who shall have held an i'm