The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-07-06
DIR. OWENS ADDRESS
FIRST CIRCULAR OF SONS OF
 VETERANS COMMANDER.
He Has High Hopes for Future of Organization and Urges Co. operation in the Patriotic
 Work.

sAA ss~
 Work.
 Dr. Thomas M owen. Commander-in- Chief of the United Sons of Confederate Veterans, yesterday issued his inau- Sons.
 The address, after noting the charges of indifference made against the Sons, reviews the situation and maps out the buoyant and hopeful way. The ad dress is characterized by a confident note throughout.
 Incidentally Comander Owen declares that the veterans owe a peculiar duty to the Sons He says the veterans should bear in mind that the success of the Confederation Is inseparably bound up with the future of the cause they so much venerate and love. The fail- ure of the Sons will be taken as an in- dication that the heritage of the Con- federate soldier is not sufficient to sus- tain a great patriotic organization.
 A copy of the address will be sent to all the camps of the Confederation and to every Son who has at any time been prominent in its affairs. Moreover a copy co ;na VIII dr be sent to every every Son known will be sent to each recipient a per- sonal letter for appeal and co-opera tion from the Commander.
 " Comm Comnander. S g Address Address.
 Montgomery. Ala, July 5. 1905. Comrades:
 Called by your generous esteem to the highest executive office in your gift. and eager to meet in the broadest and best sense the duties imposed. I come to you at the very outset with an earnest appeal for sympathy, co-opera- that this is a critical period in our his tory. and that as never before, the eyes of the whole country are upon us. There are some who even assert that been Instituted. Some desire us to merge with the veterans. quite i'm possible condition: while others indif- ferently suggest that we dissolve al- ed with the charge. too true 1t must be admitted. that practically nothing has been accomplished at least com mensurate with our declared objects and our opportunities. In view of these disheartening. conditions. we are in deed face to face with problems which affect our very existence. Unless we redeem ourselves in the near future. l ing the responsibilities we have assum- ed by more substantial achievement. 1t l Is feared that hope for the future will be In vain.
 discouraged. and in order to counsel with our members this brief address and appeal is issued. It contains a succinct statement of activities and dSpii dtlOAc piOJCSlcu dllcE COHSulld- tion with many comrades, to the ac- complishment of which have already set to work.
 Administrative Work.
 The first effort will be to put the entire Confederation machinery In good | working order. It Is useless to con sider activities when the means for their accomplishment are inefficient or headquarters, down through all inter- mediate stages to the camp, there will | be systematic efforts at reorganization with a view to increasing effectiveness The various objects and purposes for which we exist are to be worked out , through and by camps and their mem bers. Camps are supreme. subject to | few constitutional limitations. There l fore, the camp as the most important | of the several constituted bodies of our l organization is to be consistently em- phasized. It will be insisted that they hold regular meetings, at least once a | month, except during the summer sea son. It will be further insisted that l only competent and willing members be elected to office. for while apparently unimportant, the position of camp of | ficial Is one of dignity and responsibili- ty: Camps will be required to care fully preserve their records, the his torical data collected. and the individua records of members and their an l be encouraged to secure permanent headquarters. In certain sense 6 camp Is to be regarded as local his. torical society. and as such 1t shoulc either accumulate funds for the cree. l tion or purchase of building. ol should unite with the local public ol school library In this way the camI | may become a permanent and usefu factor in the community. good mem. | bership roll and comfortable place fol | meetings will necessarily be followed by organization for Confederation work | Plans will be devised for inducing camps to adopt and carry on severa | important activities. sufficient to em- ploy and interest the differing charac. teristics and tastes of members. | Attention Is to be given to a re. organization of the several Divisions Some have failed to hold reunion con, ventions and have otherwise faller oh9r na in eanar,sd thsr duty They W they. will be expected to adopt some specific work It is also hoped tc secure the arrangement and publication | of Division proceedings and records. | ... Historical Activities. | '1nasmuch as the Confederation i! primarily an historical organization great attention will necessarily b, Camp officers and members will b, expected to collect from participant written accounts, narratives. memoirs histories of battles. episodes and oc documents, including commissions paroles, reports, rosters. maps. diaries journals and old letters. and also wa relics and mementos such as flags, uni forms, swords, arms, and equipment Renewed efforts will be put forth t, secure the use of unobjectionable his tories and historical works in all O our schools and libraries. The mem bers of the historical committee il their respective Divisions will be ex pected to be centres of healthy his torical influence. The Comma nder- in Chief will personally do all in hi power to aid the roster commissioner in the several Southern States in tn collection of original war records fo the compilation of rosters now bCin. made by the United States War Depart ment. and he will also undertake
 bibliography of current war literature with critical notes and estimates Further effort will be directed to en couraging the establishment of Depart ment of Archives and History in tn Southern States as the best method q administering the duty of the State {, historical work and enterprise
 Relief Work.
 '1n the largest measure every in dividual son and every camp will b expected to carry out both the lette and the spirit of the provision of ou constitution, which declares that W, will strive (section D TO see tha the disabled are cared for; that a help ing hand is extended the needy, an, that needy Confederate veterans widows and orphans are protected an, a2sisted." The veterans are rapidl, passing away, and what Is done fo | hap mn h..