The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-22

gan-continued their organization. In 1896
Mrs. Darling asked Mrs. William Gerry
Slade of New York to accept the pres
idency of the General society,"" and at
the annual meeting in 1897 Mrs. Slade was
elected president for term of six years.
And just here it is interesting to note
that though in an age of rapid changes.
and though this society has grown to
be one of the strongest and most i'm
portant, Mrs. Slade has been unanimously
reelected at each subsequent election, nor
when her present terms expires in 1911
is there any probability of opposition to
this talented and beloved woman.
Almost Immediately after Mrs. SHADES
election TO the presidency the constitu-
ton was revised SO as to eliminate admis-
sions under the 1776 clause, and giving
up every point which might conflict with
societies of the revolution in existence,
and a national charter, as National So
ciety of United States Daughters of 1S12,n
was obtained from Congress and signed
by President Mckinley on February %,
1901 as almost the last of his congress
sional signatures.
Subsequently some members endeav-
ored to seize this charter, and the ques-
ton was thoroughly and legally contested
for about two years, with the result that
the society gained every point.
But though one of the youngest of the
important patriotic societies in the coun-
try, 1t is either organized or in pro-
cess of organization in practically every
state in the union. The various chap
tiers are formed in a state under the au-
thority of that state and answerable
only TO that state. The state is answer
able only to the national society, and
the national society only to the United
States government
The society is not only doing much
charitable and philanthropic work. but in
the field of purely patriotic work is do
ing much. The graves of the patriots of
this period are being searched out and
marked each real daughter is receiy-
ing a real daughters PIN as a SOU
venir from the national society, and the
various states are doing such other pa
triotic work as seems proper. To illus
trate, in the last IS months Michigan has
erected $4,000 monument on one of the
finest sites in Detroit to the memory of
Gen. Alexander Macomb; Louisiana has
completed the monument on the field of
Chalmette. and has received the keys of
custody thereof from the United States
government; Dolly Madison chapter of
Pittsburg has erected a drinking foun-
tain in Arsenal park which has recently
been opened by the government to the
children as playground: Maryland has
Joined with the other patriotic societies
III tilt leStOTdtlOu VI Fort Mcf1enrY. WIS
consin has given prize for the best
casting of the line on the schoolship
"St. Mary Vermont has placed tablet
in the state capitol at Montpelier in
honor of those who served has given the
largest amount per capita toward the
monument put up by the patriotic socie-
ties on Isle la Motto during the tercen-
tenary and has placed a tablet = the
University of Vermont, which was seized
a 49,
hospital during this war; New Jersey has
been supporting scholarship among the
mountaineer children of the south; Colo
RADIO has presented a loving cup to the
battleship Colorado; Delaware has placed
a tablet to the memory Of Commodore
McDonough in the state house at Dover.
the District of Columbia has placed a
table in the room in which the treaty of
Client was signed, in the Octagon house,
Washington, D. c., and so on down the
list.
Aside from this state work, the society
has placed a memorial window in St
MichaeFs church, Dartmoor, England
one of the worst prisons in England and
Dartmoor. it will be remembered. was
many Americans were imprisoned there
during the war of 1872 They had no en-
ployment, which made captivity the more
irBsome They begged for work. any
Kind, If only something-and as a result
were put to building this church. Num-
bers of them died there, but the beautiful
church, the worok of their hands. still
stands as testimonial of their loyalty to
their homeland, and it is but fitting that
this generation, who owe their country to
the valor and patriotism of these heroes
should honor their memory by placing
this lovely memorial window there, and
making the church stand as a memorial
Of their loyalty. The window will be un-
yelled on June 1.-The only monument ever
erected by a patriotic society on a for
eign shore. And thanks to the alpha
bet. Alabama will head the roll of states
contributing, which will be bound and
deposited in the church records
Alabama is the youngest state in the
society, but the work Is of such local in
terest to Alabamians that the future of
the society in this state seems very
bright inded. Aside from the share of
Alabamians in the other wars of this
period the Creek war was fought on Ala
bama soil. Indeed, from boundary to
boundary, Alabama is full of historic
places, Heretofore, Alabama has been
one of the states that did not honor it's
heroes, but 1t is to be hoped that this will
not remain true. One of the movements
on foot. in which this society is very
much interested. is the creation of a ma
tional park at the battle-ground of Horse
shoe Bend. This battle was not only
more important to the country than
Yorktown, but ranks as one of the epoch
making events of the world Congress
man Helm has introduced bill in Con-
gress seeking the creation of the park,
and an appropriation of $4,000 has been
favorably recommended. Much interest
has been awakened in this movement not
only in Alabama, but over the entire
country. The state is back of the move
ment, too, and the outlook is bright. A
commission has ben appointed for the
appropriate celebration Of the centenary
of Horseshoe Bend, in 1914, which plans
also include exercises in all the schools
of the state. besides the centennial cele-
bration proper. Naturally, this society
is very much interested and has pledged
its support and cooperation
The state officers are enthusiastic over
the work, and have gone to work with an
earnestness that augurs well for the fu-
ture. The officers are Miss Maud Nc
Lure Kelly, president; Mrs. Willis Hit
zing. first vice president; Miss Elizabeth
r. Benaugh. second vice president; Miss
Alma Gibson Burgany, corresponding
and recording secretary; Mrs. Carl Seals,
Treasurer; Mrs. r. e. d. Irwin of Annis-
ton. historian, and Mrs. Griggsby T.
Sibley, registrar.
Membership in the society is by invi-
tation only. The name of proposed
member is sent by at least two in
dorsers to the state president to be
presented for election at the next meet
ing of the state board of directors
The vote is by ballot and two votes
exclude from membership and such re-
jected name cannot be brought up again
for election to membership for at least
a year. If elected to membership
blanks are sent to the member elect by