Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-15
IMMIGRATION, ATHEISM
AND DEFENSE ARE CITED
President General of Society Outlines
Measures That Deserve Attention OF
Organization in Confronting Issues.

Daurhters Of the American Revolution,
delivered at the opening OF tne Con
tinental Congress here today, foiiowS'
"In the Italian opera Aida the stage
settings present a scene OF royal spien-
dor, such as BELTS the crownlng OF tne
conouering hero amid the plaudlts OF
an idolatrous multitude. His dramauc
entrance is heralded by band OF
trumpeters, who proudly SOUND the ex-
ultant note of the hour.
I'm coming before you this morning
I have a definite purpose and happy
task to perform. For you, Daughters OF
the American Revolution, I am but a
trumpeter sounding the high, triun-
miami note ere you enter upon the
scene to proclaim your great achieve
ments. For you Is reserved the pr1vl-
leee Of demonstrating the need and
worth Of those detectives for which TINS
society stands accredited before the
world. I can only touch the cloud tips,
but from the potentialities that nave
been revealed to me during these Few
endowed with the gift of prophecy to
be able to forecast the developments OF
the future.
TODAY there is an existing belief
that woman has at last come into her
own. Whether this condition is due TO
her unrelenting effort of years to reach
that strategic point or whether the
gradual easement Of economic condl-
lions is responsible Is an interesting
but irrelevant question In the race OF
the undeniable fact that woman has
attained a definite place right IN the
foreground Of world affairs.
Women Are OppOrtunists.
&Tn q measure. women have always
been opportunists. Molly Stark is q
glorious example, for she came promptly
into her own when she sprang unhesl-
tatingly to the place of the cannoneer.
The pages of history are enriched py
the valorous deeds and the unsellsh
acts Of the great women whom sue
ceeding centuries have produced.
"The statement has frequently been
made Of late-and no doubt IN all SIN
cerity-that womens organizations nave
become superfiuous; that because OF the
greatly expanded individual contacts
the MANY groups now cumber the held
of action.
Undoubtedly some clever woman
leaders who are decade ahead OF their
time do find the confines OF the strictly
feminine organization irksome, but 10
nv mind the group has yet its greatest
function to perform. Scattered through
out this country, and particularly IN
the smaller centers, are countless NIL
lions of women who are finding them
selves and becoming articulate through
the medium of their favorltS local So
ciety. They constitute a TREMENDOUS
power whose resources have scarcely
been tapped.
Upon organization leaders, therefore
does an immense responsibility devolve.
fYQnSn1GLe0
vital spark that galvanizes into action
the latent energies of this vast host OF
heart-hungry women who have all TOO
long been suppressed by their environ
ment, From the vitaliEation OF TINS
inertion there will result untold Dement'S,
provided always there exists the proper
coordination between the groups ana
their leaders. The freshness and origi.
.nality animating the newly acquired
viewpoint will convert it into valuable
asset for the clearing house OF expert
ence. Wisdom, when guided BY expert
ence. is the sustaining power OF the
world. for it seizes the opportune-the
Golden noonent-the vivid thought, and
molds all according to its own pro-
found plan.
Dynamic Organization.
1.-THE Daughters Of the American
Revolution is a dynamic organization.
solidified by highly patriotic motives
and having as its objective the pro-
faction of home, the defense of country
and the enlightment of its people. TO
properly present, to thoroughly safe
guard and to unitedly and wisely direct
the great and varied activities Is the IN
escapable duty of the leaders, national,
State and chapter. Leadership Is not
relative but absolute, and therein exist
the same potency and the same respon-
sibility, whether the group represents
the minority or the majority as 70
numbers.
"1Of the whole sum Of human life,'
said Gladstone, no small part Is that
which consists of a mans relations 70
his country and his feelings concerning
it
That truism applies with equal force
to the Organized body; therefore the
obvious duty of both leaders and mem
b1Rs in their relation to their society Is
first to know it thoroughly. To such
say: Study it In the intent OF its
founders-its traditional methods ana
firmly established custom OF initiating
policies and the equally rigid mandates
imposed upon the national oncers 70
obey the win of the majority as ex-
pressed ny VAC HS0S VA NSAASA~A-"- ~
gresS.
"As the Federal Government has
found no more satisfactory system than
majority rule in the conduct OF the
Nations business, 1t Is hardly possible
that any single organization could I'M
prove upon that super-eminent method.
Congress Delegates Policies
'"The fallacy as we'll as the impossi-
bilitv. under this quite ir1f1exible pro-
cedure. of first submitting the policies
of the society to the chapters for con-
sideration before presentation to Con-
tinental Congress need not be dWelt
upon now.
"The fundamental or governing laws
are augmented or amended only after
submission to the individual chapters,
but the policies created within the
scope of the law are brought to Con-
sresS literally In the pockets OF the
delegated body. Therein lies the great
triumphant note of democracy IN the
organization Of the Daughters OF the
American Revolution.
'Tf q member in North Dakota or
Texas or China has brilliant idea
which might be developed into con-
Structive policy worthy Of adoption by
this society, hers is the privilege OF pre-
senting 1t for consideration. Should 1t
strike responsive chord, be feasible
and In conformity with the constitu-
ton and bylaws, that remote idea
stands a chance Of becoming national
policy. Furthermore, the woman who
conceives 1t ought to have the exclusive
control Of her plan until its submission
to the governing body. She should not
be compelled to hawk about her
precious brain product to be commented
iipon, criticized and ultimately ami
hilated by endless and puerile discussion
before it has seen the 1saf light of day.
Policies that may prove to be I'M
workable, or even highly unsatisfactory,
after a trial. are liable to creep In
through this method. But better that
than lack of initiative, particularly so
as Continental Congress has power,
through abrogation, to at any time re-