The Washington times., 1902-07-13
Il ECHOES FROM THE LODGE ROOMS OF THE DISTRICT.

oolors Of our flag that 1t is the flag OF
the world: tha, Il means more TO the
| people OF the nations Il protects thar
does any other flag in the world More
| men have fought for 1t, more men have
died for 1t. than for any other flag that
ever kissed the breezes OF heaven. Not
for the cotton CT silk or bunting. but
fer the principles they represent in the
American flag. 1t never protected a
traitor: 1t never was struck in defeat.
The child who learns these things will
remember the glorious truths in the hour
OF the nations needs, but with the adult
late planted patriotism is a seed OF
slothful growth. The aliens who swarm
upon our shores have taught us bitter
lessons In their lack OF patriotism and
disregard-aye. even contempt, for the
flag and the free institutions which It
fosters and protects.
Realizing this ever increasing danger
an old soldier. Col. George Balch, began
to teach patriotism-the Constitution
and love of the fiag-in the free kinder
gartens OF New York City. where the
children of aliens and all tongues we're
gathered. to instruct them In the ethics
OF good citizenship. His labors were
those of love for the flag which he had
gave out.
Just about this time. In 1883, the Wo-
mans Relief Corps was organized in
Denver, in 1883, with forty members. 1t
took up the work that Colonel Balch
laid down when mustered into the grand
army or the other shore.
The Woman's Relief Corps now num-
bers $4,000 women, and Is the largest
compact organization of women In the
world. and By 100000 the largest patri-
otic organization OF women in the world.
The Woman's Relief Corps has ex-
pended since 1888, $500. coo In relief
work alone. 1t has turned AndersonviIle
prison grounds into a beautiful park,
and is constantly improving and en-
bellishing the grounds 1t has founded
a fine national home for army nurses IN
Ohio.
Through its efforts and those of the
Grand Army most of the Northern
States have made the flying of the flag
above the schoolhouses compulsory.
The Woman's Relief Corps OF the De-
partment Of the Potomac in 1896 got
through Congress bill making Il com
pulsory to fly the nag above The school
houses Of the District OF Columbia. and
also an appropriation of 81 600 to pur-
chase hass for the school houses. The
committee on the teaching Of patriotism
then visited the schools. and saw to il
that the flags were unfurled, and that
no teacher lodged. 1t was very difficult
TO get the flags put up at first Many
were the excuses. but By persistent ef-
fort 1t has been accomplished
We have been instrumental IN having
state homes established in some fifteen
States, where dependent veterans and
their wives may spend their declining
years in peace.
or course, in all this work we have
had the aid and assistance of the Grand
Army OF the Republic.
There are about six thousand posts
or local organizations OF the Grand
Army in the United States. and about
three thousand local relief CORPS. Each
one Of these local organizations has a
committee on patriotic instruction, so
1t will be seen that with the national
and the department patriotic instructor
quite an army of men and women are
working to perpetuate the principles for
which our fathers fought.
There are thirty-hve States organized
into departments. and there are corps
and provisional departments in each of
the Southern States.
Each department noids convention
once a year. electing full complement
of officers.
The national organization is comprised
of delegates from these departments
and detached corps, and meets annu-
ally In national convention at the same
time and place as the Grand Army of
the Republic, OF which it is the only
auxiliary
Tho Woman's Relief Corps admits "all
loyal women OF reputable character, who