Evening star., 1954-04-19
Continental Congress
OF OAR Will Stress
Spirit Of America

49,
Daughters Of the American |
Revolution from every part of |
the Nation were arriving in |
Washington today for their |
SD Continental Congress which |
opens formally at $3.50 o'clock |
tonight in Constitution Hall.
More than 1000 members and |
guests of the patriotic society |
are expected for the annual
week-long convention. The ses-
sions will continue through
Friday.
Tonight's meeting will get
under way with traditional flag
ceremonies. Miss Gertrude Car
raway. president general, will
deliver the keynote address.
Senator Bridges. Republican. of
New Hampshire, will also speak.
The theme of this years con-
gress is 'The Spirit of America"
In ceremonies at the OAR
museum today the Kathleen
Douglass Memorial Collection of
antiques was formally presented
to the National Society.
In Memory Of Miss Douglass.
One of the largest individual
collections ever presented to the
museum. the 175-piece gift, in
cluding furniture silver, china
and jewelry was given in mem
ory of the late Miss Helene
Kathleen Douglass of Alexan-
dria, Va, a member of the
Mount Vernon OAR chapter.
It was presented by her par
entS. Mr.. and Mrs. Macdonald
Douglass of Alexandria. The
items include an enamel and
gold chain originally given by
Napoleon Bonaparte to his
youngest sister, Caroline, who
presented it to a close friend,
Mrs. Catherine Van Renssaeler
Heaton Offley, great-great
grandmother of Miss Douglass.
Most of the articles in the COL
lection were handed down from
generation to generation from
the. original owners. many of
them outstanding American pa
triotS.
The presentation was made
through Mrs. c. Bernard Bailey,
Virginia State Regent, to Miss
Carraway.
Miss CarraWay promised that
the articles would be preserved
in the spirit in which they were
presented" Aside from their
intrinsic WORTH" she said, "they
are valuable because of those |
with whom they are associated.
I'VE learn of their life, career,
character and service and take |
renewed inspiration from the
heritage they left u.s." she said.
Miss Carraway accepted the |
antiques not only for the OAR |
but to show them to school chill
dren, tourists and other visitors
so that their inspiration may |
be spread abroad throughout the
land"
Reluctant Witnesses Hit.
Last night Miss Carraway
scored persons who hide under
the cloak of the Fifth Amend
ment" in talk at the dinner of |
the Junior OAR in the Mayflower
Hotel.
Many Americans, especially |
in Investigations of activities un-
der suspicion Of treason or dis
loyalty. hide under the cloak of |
the Fifth Amendment of our
Constitution without being will
ing to defend and support the
Constitution in it's entirety" she
said.
The trainers Of the Constitu-
ton never intended that the
Fifth Amendment should be in
voked by "thoSe whose loyalty |
to our Government is in |
doubt" she declared.
Miss Carraway urged that |
schools offer courses in American
history, the Constitution and the |
Declaration of independence.
THE best way to combat COM |
muniSm, socialism, crime and |
corruption is to have construc- /
tive programs of Americanism. |
to stress the, advantages and
philosophers, which have made
America so strong, and to train |
our boys and girls to take re-
sponsible roles in our Republic"
she said.
This was in line with a pre-
convention statement in which
Miss Carraway stressed a posi-
tive philosophy of the OAR.
$50 many people have always
thought the OAR was against |
things" she said. I'VE aren't.
Our primary yardstick is what |
we think is good for the country.
We are not against things-we
are for our Constitutional Re-
public"
Yesterday, the Daughters held |
their annual memorial service
at Constitution Hall for the
3,019 OAR members who have |
died during the year. More |
than 1000 members and guests
attended.
From a platform banked with
ferns and sprays of white glad
ioli, Miss Carraway Saluted the