The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1907-05-29
History and Work of the WOman's Re-
lief Corps, Auxiliary TO the Grand
Army Of the Republic.

During the Civil war many relief so
cieties sprang up in the north and west
and after the close OF hostilities, wher
sick and manned soldiers returned, un
able to work or to care for their loved
ones, the ministrations of the loya
women continued and not only was the
veteran cared for but his dependent ones
AZ well. In 1888 number of societies
we're still in existence and pursuant to a
call of Paul Van Der WORT, Commander
in.Chief of the q. A. r., their represen-
tatives assembled in Denver and were
organized into what has grown to mag
niticent proportions, carrying on its rolls
more than $4,000 patriotic women, the
best women of the land, in all walks OF
life, having considered IL an honor to be
enrolled under the banner whose motto
is Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty. The
streams of bounty of the order have
flowed through many channels to reach
the one great end and more than three
millions of dollars have been used In re-
lief since its organization. The aims and
objects OF the W. Il. G. are to specially
aid and assist the G.. A. r. and to perpet-
uate the memory OF their heroic dead.
To assist such Union veterans as need
our help and protection and to extend
needful aid to their widows and orphans.
To find them homes and employment and
assure them of sympathy and friendship.
To cherish and emulate the deeds of our
army nurses and of all loyal women who
rendered loving service to our country
in her hour of peril. To maintain true
allegiance 10 the United States of Amer
lea; to iuculcate lessons of patriotism and
love of country among our children in
the communities in which we live, and
encourage the spread of universal liberty
and equal rights to all
This organization was the first to in
troduce the salute to the flag in the public
schools and to make the observance of
Flag Day general by preparing and car
rying ont suitable programs. There are
two salutes to the flag taught in the
schools, the one for the older scholars
being, ~ pledge allegiance TO my flag
and to the Republic for which 1t stands;
one nation indivisible, with liberty and
justice for ALL" The other is taught the
younger pupils and is, "I give my head
and my heart TO God and my country;
one country, one language, one flag"
The w. Il. G. is AN incorporated body
and owns much valuable real estate.
Andersonville Prison Park belongs TO
the order and under the direction of Eliz-
abeth A. Turner, chairman of the COM
mittee having the grounds in charge, has
been made to blossom as the rose. Deeds
have been given several states for plats
of ground upon which to place monu-
ments in memory of sons who lost their
lives within the enclosure while confined
there as prisoners during the Civil war.
The park is the mecca for loyal people
every year and especially upon Memorial
Dav.
The finances of the Woman's Relief
Corps are in splendid condition, the Ma.
tional Treasurer reporting that on Au-
gust 18th, 1906, there was balance of
49, lSl in the Andersonyille fund; 81, ,060
in the Southern Memorial fund; 81. .09l in
the Emergency fund; Sl7, ,0SS in all funds.
There was received for the California
sufferers 1882 10; expended in relief last
year and on Memorial Day, $207, ,656 25.
The number of persons assisted was 80
l0l. There are $500 Corps in the order.
The total expended since the organiza-
tion is 3,057, ,444.97. The total assets are
$23, ,207.7S, with no liabilities. This is a
showing to be proud of.
As members of the largest patriotic and
beneticent organization of women In the
world, let us take such pride in our order
and the great one to which it is auxiliary,
that we shall not rest until each member
has brought in at least one new recruit
this year, the year in which we celebrate
our twenty-flfth anniversary. Every
loyal woman is gwen cordial invitation
to Join the auxiliary of the Grand Army
of the Republic, the Woman's Relief
Corps. PRESS Con.