The National tribune., 1909-06-17
WHO IS AUXILIARY?
The WOman's Relief COrps-The La
dies of the G. A. II. Independent.
Both Organizations Splendid Work

Editor National Tribune: Would yor
please inform us IL the Ladies of the G. A
r. are an auxiliary OF the Grand Army; and
II so. when were they adopted as such? They
the WOmans Relief Corps does, and admit
none to membership unless soldiers wive.
or soldiers relatives, being blood relatives
and have ridiculed some as noble w0mer
who have been doing all that was possible
In Relief Corps because they had no rela
tives In civil or other wars and could no,
join their Circle. After one Of the noble
patriots married grand old veteran they
wanted her membership, but they were in
formed that marriage had not changed hel
blood. and she was loyal to the w. 4. c.
The w. r. c. was really formed during 81
and t5, when these noble women met In
homes, school houses and churches, making
bandages, clothing and those sanitary dell.
cacies for the dear boys In hospital. field
and camp, and the same patriotic spirit re
mains In the mothers and daughters to hell
the dear old boys and their dependent ones
regardless Of kith or kin.-A. Maltble, Lima
Ohio.
Women who work for the men who
saved the Flag and the Union ought TO have
sense enough to rise above the sordidnes'
and selfshness noted by the writer Of the
above, and until they do stop these scrap
ping matches between the members of the
two great organizations, neither Order vii
attain Its full statue and growth. GOD
knows there Is enough work for these patri
u
eligibility" clause they work. If they
each spend their time and energies In
roasting each other. they are recreant tc
their obligation no matter to what society
they belong.
1t Is true the Ladies' Of the Grand Army
Of the Republic are not auxiliary to the
Grand Army OF the Republic. The Woman's
Relief Corps has that proud distinction. II
was accepted as the auxiliary Of the noblest
body of men on earth in 1883 at Denver
There has never been any change In the re-
lationship since. and no suggestion OF a
change. The eligibility clause Of the Wom
wives, Mothers sisters and daughters Of
Union soldiers sailors and marines, and
army nurses, together with all loyal women
who never gave aid to the enemies of the
little further In relationship, and eliminate
the ''lOyal women" clause. The Woman's
Relief Corps. organized In 1888, has mem
bership of 10000 The Ladies Of the G. A.
membership Of 10000. II the two organi
cations were multiplied by 100 each they
would even then be unable to do the work
that Increases tenfold as each year passes
Both societies are doing magnificent work
Without their air. assistance and their com
fort the Grand Army would soon die. The
veterans have said so themselves.
We are all women working for one great
cause.-The veteran. We are all working un.
der one banner, the Flag of the Union. II
Is ignoble. and II Is belittling to the cause,
to be forever criticising each other. and
saying hateful things one about the other.
It's too much like two children Of one par
entage making faces at each other and
searching their limited vocabulary for ad
jectives of aversion.
By their fruits ye shall know them. The
to get n hustle on themselves, and do the
work for which they were organized-"to
aid and assist the Union veteran and his
dependent ones."-Isabel Worrell Ball.