Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-09
HEAR THE OTHER SIDE
THE TWO DIVISIONS OF DAUGf-
TIERS OF CoNFEDERACY.
REPLY TO MRS. J. M. GARNETT.
From Mrs. w. c. w. Mcrchant-Noi
% Inc Editor of the pisratch:

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
AS president of the Virginia Division
Of Tho United Daughters of the Confed-
eracv and member OF the co1Hfnittee
from that division, which met 4 ike com
n,i,toe from the Grand Division Of Viz
Einia in Richmond, June, s, 1902, / wish
IN Justice TO the Virginia Division, TO &C.
fine its position regarding the union OF
these two divisions. In your issue OF DC
tober 9th, which has just come TO my
notice. Mrs. James Mercer Garrett writes
of several efforts which have been made
by the Grand Division to unite the Nir-
sinia Division Prior to 1897, the GRAND
Division of Virginia was an Independent
organization, the Virginia Division a
branch of the general society of United
Daughters, therefore, no union was pos
sible until the Grand Division became
part OF the United Daughters of the Con-
IederacS. AT the Baltimore convention
of 1897 the Grand Division joined the
general organization; at the next annual
conveation of the Virginia Division, Octo-
Der 1898, n communication was received
from the Grand Division asking that a
committee be appointed by the Virginia
Division to confer with committee from
the Grand Division to arrange a plan
upon which they may unite. Delegates
al this convention had not been instruct
ed by their chapters as TO their desire foT
such committee. therefore, the ques-
ton was referred TO the chapters OF the
Virginia Division, to he acted upon the
following wear: and the Grand Division
notified accordingly.
ACTION IN 1899
AT the convention of 1893 the vote as to
the appointing of this committee was
taken by chapter roll call, and resulted in
the negative although the sentiment was
strongly modified by the qualifying clause
at this time The chair appointed Mrs
William a. Tanner TO write the Grand
Division that the question having been
referred 10 the chapters it was the sense
Of the division that union would be ILL
advised al present" No other overture
Gas ever received from the Grand DiNi-
sion. One year ago, at the Virginia Divl-
sion Convention of 1901 the subject Of
union was discussed. Again the dele
gates We're unable to speak for their chap
tiers, hut were favorable to the union,
provided il could be arranged satisfacto-
Iiy." A committee was appointed to re-
quest the appointment of like body from
the Grand Division, these committees to
Virginia Division Committee was given no
power to take any decisive steps. They
were to confer and report the result TO
the next annual convention, Virginia
Division. At the joint session of these
committees lel. in Richmond June 9Th,
it was decided Ito lay aside the consti-
buttons of both divisions and formulate
one. based upon that of the United
Daughters of the Confederacy which
Sl,,, ho l,sd 3,Gfn tia nny1VE flows f,f
each division for their ratification" Mrs.
Garrett says this constitution was pro-
posed and arranged chiefly by the Viz
Einia Division Committee Notwith-
standing this the fact remains that every
article of any Importance. offered by the
Virginia Division Committee, was amend
ed by some member OF the grand
NAME FOR THE DIVISION.
The first subject for consideration was
The name for the division when CONSOLE
dated. AT the request of the committee
from the Grand Division, The Virginia
Division took the initiative in offering this
article, which read as follows: The
name of this association shall be the
Virginia Division, United Daughters of
the Confederacy, and its domicile shall
be the city of Richmond" The domicue
IF the Virginia Division having alaays
toeen Alexandria, this seemed an equal
niviSion OF honorS The article as offered
was amended by the insertion of the
word United" preceding the words Nir-
9inia Division; one member of the Nir-
Einia Division Committee voting in the
negative The question Of the badge for
;he division was discussed; the Virginia
Division in its infancy adopted the badge
authorized by tiac united organization
this article of the Virginia constitution
being copied verbatim fron the United
Daughters OF the Confederacy. Division
badges have never been approved by tie
Virginia Division; there are now twenty
one cities in which there are organiza-
lions of the United Daughters of the |
Confederacy. Were each of these to have |
different insignia all would lose partially, |
1heir slsf'hcance and 40 particular dis |
iinctfon would be given any. We have
always held that The only way 10 make |
our badge honorcd and recognized the |
world over, is for all divisions to adopt |!
IT, all daughters wear it. Therefore I
when the article on badges. which was |
the adoption Of that of the Grand Divi- |
sion. was offered the division committee
All members from the Virginia Division
save one voted i'm the negative
SAID TO BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL,
IN considering the proposed cons;itu- |
uon at our recent convention in Norfo,l,
'ne point WAS made, which had pre-
NaousiS been presented TO the Grand
DIVISION committee. that article |
United Virginia Division, youla II. nm
constitutional: the United Daughters of
TIC Seb!eGeracg constitution reads leach ]
c'a'e OF territorial 6rganiza ton shall be |
known as division. and designated bv
ne name OF the State or territory in
"hch at is located; Furthermore. the
constitution requires that no division shan
adopt any article of a constitution or
10y laws inconsistent with that of ths
oiii.ea daughters of the confederacy.
rs'tee me convention of the Virginia
blpifion eliminated the word "United,.
thus making the article Identical with
that offered by the Virginia Division