The Washington herald., 1912-01-28
Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood
Inspired to Organiza-
tion of Patriotic So
ciety While in the
Midst of Other Work.
By JULIA CHANDLER MANI.


I was admitted into her apartment on
the very top floor Of the Columbia. she
was sitting where the sunlight fell full
on her soft white hair. She held out
her hand to me, and the smile that gave
me welcome seemed to me to gather In
all the tender things OF life and hold
them close.
II you know the feeling that compels
YOU TO rise when an orchestra plays the
national air; If you have ever seen some
splendid deed of heroism, or watched
a human being fight to the death for a
great cause, you will know Just now
felt when I entered the presence OF the
founder OF the National Society OF the
Daughters Of the American Revolution.
OF course, knew that the ID. A h
has an enrolment Of 5000 members, and
that the work of these thousands OF
women extends, one might almost say,
from pole to pole; ! knew, too, that the
patriotfc work of these women had its
Inception in a woman's heart and BRAIN
but when Mrs. lockwood told me the
story Of the beginning Of this organiza-
tion I was reminded OF countless other
instances in the worlds history where
women have been chosen for a stupen-
dous work that required unusual pa
tience and faithfulness.
Fifteen years ago Mrs. Lockwood sat
at her desk preparing a lecture on
Woman as an architect to be denN-
cred at the Worlds Fair in Chicago, TO
which She had been appointed one OF the
board Of lady managers through the per
sonal request Of President Harrison In
the midst Of her work she picked up
washington newspaper which gave de-
tailed account of an address that had
been delivered by Senator Sherman at a
meeting of the Sons of the American
Revolution.
Summoned TO Great Work.
Senator Sherman approved any move
ment that would perpetuate the memo
ries Of the heroes Of the American Rev
olution. He welcomed the women pres
ent to hear his address and referred
warmly 10 their part in the fight for
American liberty.
''Chey might not have done any hgnt-
ing, but they kept the farm going; raised
the crops that fed the army; spun the
warn and wove the cloth that clothed the
soldiers. looked after the homes and
the children; kept the country alive
and IT Is most fitting that women should
be here tonight to help in commemo-
rating the names of the sires OF the
Revolution" said Senator Sherman.
Mrs. Lockwood read the account OF
Sherman's address a second time
They even helped do the fighting when
occasion demanded she whispered to
herself, remembering Deborah Sampson
Mollie Pitcher, and the women or rep
periIl Bridge, then why should women
not now give their work and time 10
the comniemoration of the danes as wen
as the sires Of that splendid struggle Ior
liberty a small voice questioned her.
Il couldn't get rid of the thought" said
Mrs. Lockwood to me last week when 1
went 10 talk with her about the birth OF
the greatest patriotic organization OF
America.
I took up my pen to go on with the
work upon whsch / was then engaged,
which was an account Of woman,s con-
structive work in the world, for she has
always been q builder. Even before her
DEVELOPMENT through civilization her hus-
band went out to hunt or fight while she
made the hut in which they lived, hang
ing her baby on the limb OF a tree to be
rocked by the wind while she constructed
their home. Hunting and fighting was
the whole purpose of her lord and master;
hers the home building and home making
added to her motherhood.
Somehow as I sat writing of this far
away woman on that bright July morning
years ago IL seemed just continuation
OF this work TO Senator Sherman's ad-
dress IN which he so splendidly held up
wuman's work in the war that gave
American her freedom.
Compelled to Act.
Don't you know Just couldn't go on
with the work upon which I had been
engaged that morning." Mrs. Lockwood
told me with a gentle modesty which I
wish could convey to you. because it
is an unusual thing for one who is so
pointedly chosen for a work of national
importance to relate a story so vital to
nation with such simple modesty and
truth.
She pushed aside the lecture in prep
aration on that bright summer day in
the year 1880, and wrote a straight talk
TO the American people, which she enti-
tied Women worthy OF honor"
II thought OF those brave women of
the American Revolution, of whom
Senator Sherman had spoken in his ad-
dress. and ii came to me that surely
America was broad and just enough 10
commemorate the names of heroic wom-
en- as well as those Of heroic men.
For it was all true-women had kept
America alive while their husbands and
brothers fought for its freedom. They
did raise the crops that fed the armies;
they did spin the yarn and weave the
cloth that clothed the soldiers; they
did keep the farms growing. and did |
take care of the little children, and
when they were needed. they even an
swered the call to arms. Were not the |
Of these women as dear to |
America, then, as the names of the men |
who fought for her Hberty?'
Thrilled with patriotism that was
short of reverence for the
memory OF these Revolutionary wom- |
en-, Mrs. Lockwood told to American |
women the story Of Hannah Arnett and 4
appealed to them to come forward with /
other names OF heroines of the Ameri-
can Revolution to be placed on a roll |
Of honor.
Organization Quickly Followed.
Mrs. Lockwood's letter to American
women, which was Inspired by Senator
sherman's address, appeared in a
newspaper Sunday, July ls.
1850 Tuesday mornings mail brought
her a letter from Miss Mary Desha Of
fering to cooperate with her in or
yanizing a society OF the Daughters OF
The American Revolution.
Almost Immediately they met and
talked the matter over. The second
time they met. Mrs Lockwood named
several OF her friends who were eligible
and willing to Join the society, and
their names. seven IN number, were
IL