The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-04-30


 deeds of our forefathers mark the an- nual congress of the society of the Sons of the American Revolution being held In Baltimore today. hundred or more descendants of Revolutionary sires have gathered in the Monumental City to honor the memory of their arl- cestors and to commemorate their he- role service in the case of American liberty and of human rights through out the world The delegates to this congress will participate in an exten- sive program of patriotic exercises, routine business and entertainment. Saturday they will go to Annapolis, Maryland, where the congress will re- assemble in the State Senate chamber, the scene of Washington's surrender of the command of the Continental ar mics. There the annual election of of- ficers will be held.
 The Sons of the American Revolu- tion is one of several patriotic organ ixations. the membership of which is composed of descendants of Revoiu- tionary people. All are working to- ward the same end, though by difter- ent routes Theirf objects generally speaking, is to keep alive the spirit of patriotism which animated the fathers of the republic, to promote social in- tercourse among their members. and to educate foreigners In the duties and responsibilities. us well as the rights and privileges. of American citizenship.
 There are numbered in the ranks of the Sons of the American Revolution lineal descendants of more than 23,000 active participants in the struggle for American liberty. Of the fifty-six sign CTS of the Declaration of Independence, forty are represented in the society by 100 patriots of today. There are found upon it's rolls descendants of Israel Putnam. Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Daniel Boone, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, Roger Sher- man, Richard Henry Lee. the Marquis de Lafayette. General Joseph Warren of Bunker Hill, and other patriots. Sew An hundred members showed their live patriotism by euiisting during the Spanish War.
 Among the prominent names on the ] roster of the society are those of Pres idents Hayes, Mckinley and Roosevelt Vice President Morton: Thomas F Bavard. John Sherman. General Horace Porter. Generals Nelson Miles and Frederick D. Grant; Joseph Wheeler and Wade Hampton, the Confederate leaders; Ambassador Hnl; the late scended from the Green Mountain Boys leader; ex-Secretaries of the Ma. " Long and Newberry; Admirak Port. l CT. Dewey, Schley. and other sea fight. | CTS; Justice Brewer of the Supreme Court, Governors Hughes, of New York; Hadley, of Missouri. and Fort o, New Jersey Senators Root, Drye Lodge Depew. Dillingham;, Bulkeley Perkins. Smith. of Michigan; Daniel Warren and Crane; John D. Rock efeI Ter and scores of Congressmen. Stat. | F1h Al. nent men all over the country.
 l The Sons of the American Revolution claim credit for the creation of Flal Day. June 14. They have had in dexed the records of 350.000 Revolu tionary patriots. They are pressing | bill to prevent the desecration of tn, national flag. and are seeking to pro mote appreciation of the national an them 'The Star Spangled Banner" T, encourage patriotism in the youth O today, tho society has iDaugurated . q plan of giving to students prize siiya medals for the best essays on patrfoti subjects. It has printed in thirtee, languages and circulated among i'm migrants 1,UO0.000 copies of A pamnhle on the meaning of American liberty the naturalization law, etc It is mt ting substantial markers on the grave of Revolutionary dead.
 | The society has erected monument to General Stark in New Hampshire to the prison ship martyrs in Brook lyn. to George Rogers Clark in India n apolis. and completed the pedestal fo Bartholdfs statute of Liberty in Ney York harbor. It has marked and nre served such historic sites as Dobh Ferry. New York: Bennington. Yer mont; the John Trumbull home. th Nathan Hale school house. Cooch' bridge, Delaware. where the America, flag is sid to have been first unfurIe in battle; Washington's headuuarter In New York. and at MorristOwn, N. I and has made a park of Stony Pofn battle-ground and has set a memoria at Fort Washington. N. Y.
 1 The organization of Rocietis base upon participation In the Revolutio dates back to the days of GeorE Washingtcn. He founded the Societ of the Cincinnati. which was then com posed of men who had actually tough under the American flag in our frs war against the British. The scope e this society was thus limited. It wa further limited by the fact that unde it's organic law. the law of primogen only the first or eldest sons of Revo lutionary warriors. and the direct de scendants Of such sons. have been elis ible to membership. such eligibility be ing confined in every case to the cid est living son of each family.
 Shortly before the first Centennis of the American Republic, in 1878. th interest of the public was aroused