The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-07-06
OWEN APPEALS TO
SONS OF VETERANS
Asks for Cooperation in
Strengthening Organization
NOW Is CRITICAL PERIOD
Systematic Effort VIII BE Made to Re-
organize Various Camps on
Sound Working.
Basis.
NOW is CRITICAL PERIOD

Montgomery, June 5.-(Special)-Dr.
Thomas NJ. Owen, commander in chief of
the Sons of Confederate Veterans, has
issued the following circular Letter:
General Headquarters United Sons of
Confederate Veterans Circular No. l.
Address to Sons of Confederate Veter-
ans, Outlining Work and Activities;
and an Appeal for Cooperation aud
Encouragement.
Montgomery, July A. 1905.
Comrades Called BY your generous
esteem to the highest executive office In
your gift and eager to meet in the broad
est and best sense the duties imposed,
] come to you at the very outset with
an earnest appeal for sympathy. CO.
operation and encouragement. We are
told that this is a critical period in our
history. and that as never before, the
eyes of the whole country are upon us.
There are some who even assert that
our organization should never have been
instituted. Some desire us to merge with
the veterans, a quite impossible condi-
ton; while others indifferenty suggest
that we dissolve altogether. We are on
all sides confronted with the charge, too
true 1t must be admitted, that practi-
cally nothing has been accomplished, at
least commensurate with our declared
objects and our opportunities. In view
of thees dishearN,ning conditions, we
are indeed face to face with problems
which affect our very existence Unless
we redeem ourselves in the near future,
and show that we are capable of meeting
the responsibilities we have assumed by
more substantial achievement 1t Is feared
that hope for the future will be In vain.
Nevertheless l am not in the least
discouraged, and in order to counsel with
our members this brief address and APP
statement of activities and aspirations
projected after consultation with many
comrades, to the accomplishment OK
which I have already set to work
Administrative Work.
The first effort will be to put the entire
confederation machinery in good working
order. 1t is useless to consider activities
when the means for their accomplishment
are inefficient or altogether wanting.
From general headquarters, down through
all intermediate stages to the camp, tnere
will be a systematic effort at reorganlza-
ton. with a view to increasing effective
ness. The various objects and purposes for
which we exist are to be worked out
through and by camps and their members.
Camps are supreme, subject TO rev con-
stituf4unal limitations. Therefore, the
camp as the most important OF the several
constituted bodies of our organization Is
insisted that they hold regular meetings,
at least once month"; except during the
summer season. 1t will be further insisted
that only competent and willing members
be elected to office, for while apparently
unimportant, the position of camp Of
fetal is one of dignity and responsibility.
Camps will be required to carefully pre-
serve their records, the historical data
collected. and the individual records OF
members and their ancestors. AS far as
nossibIe camps will be encouraged to
secure permanent headquarters. In a GER
tain sense a camp is to DE regarded as
local historical society. ana as such 1t
should either accumulate funds for the
erection or purchase OF building or
should unite with the local public or
school library In this way the camp may
become a permanent and useru1 factor In
the community good membership roll
and q comfortable place for meetings will
necessarily be followed by organization
for confederation work. Plans Will be de-
vised for inducing camps TO adopt and
carry on several important activities, suf-
fcient to employ and interest the differ
ing characteristics and tastes OF MEM
bers.
Attention is to be given to a reorganiza-
ton of the several divisions. Some have
failed to hold reunion conventions and
have otherwise fallen short in their duty.
They will not only be expected to re-
organize. but they will be expected to
adopt some specific work. 1t Is also hoped
70 secure the arrangement and publica-
ton OF division proceedings and records.
Historical Activities.
Irasmuch as the Confederation is pri-
marily an historical organization. great
attention will necessarily be given to
history and kindred topics Camp officers