^0 it0 HoUinger pH8.5 Mill Run F3.1957 E 202 .4 .023 Copy 1 :■>' GENERAL SOCIETY Sons of the Revolutioa OCTOBER, J 896. /// the matter of the Proposed Consolidation of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution and the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution: NOTE OF EXPLANATION. The following correspondence, read in connection with the resolution passed by the General Society of the Sons of the Revolution at their meeting held in Savannah on the 20th of April, 1896, will in a great measure explain itself. It is proper, however, to state that your General Presi- dent, before sending any reply to the first communication, of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, con- sulted in New York a number of the General Officers of our society as to the character of such a reply, and they were unanimously of the opinion that the answer herewith sub- mitted and marked No. i, was entirely within the instruc- tions given to us in Savannah, and contained everything; which we were authorized to say. The replies to the second and third communications were,, after consultation, naturally based upon the first, and having once concluded that we could not exceed our instructions, it was impossible for us afterwards to appoint committees who would enter upon the wide field of discussion for the forma- tion of a new Constitution without the express authority or consent of our Society. JOHN LEE CARROLL, General President. September, 1896. The General Secretary of the Sons of the Revolution transmitted to the Secretary General of the Sons of the Ameri- can Revolution the following preample and resolutions, pro- posed by Mr. Francis EUingwood Abbott, Massachusetts Society, seconded by Mr. Robert Olyphant, New York .'Society, which were adopted at the meeting of the former Society, held April 20, 1896 : Whereas^ The existence of two separate societies, with identical objects and nearly identical names, where one strong society alone ought to exist — to wit : Sons of the Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution — is an anomaly which perplexes the public mind, excites distrust of both societies, provokes injurious comment, alienates the sympathy of very many descendants of Revolutionary an- cestors whose aid is needed, and seriously interferes with the patriotic work to which both these societies are sincerely ^nd equally devoted ; and Whereas, Consolidation of these two societies in a single .'Society, on the basis of a Constitution and Plan of Union vwhich had been previously agreed upon at separate meet- ings of the General Society of Sons of the Revolution and the National Society of Sons of the American Revolution in the City of New York, February 16, 1893, failed on account of disagreement as to the submission of the original creden- tials and applications of all the members of all their respec- ;tive State Societies to a fresh examination and revision, in .accordance with the provisions of the new Constitution .agreed upon, as a necessary preliminary to enrolling mem- bers of the new consolidated society; and Whereas, The necessity of this preliminar}' examination .and revision, if the proposed new society is to be exclusively composed, and known to be exclusively composed, of actual descendants of Revolutionary ancestors, ought to be self evident; therefore, Resolved, That we, the General Society of Sons of the Revolution, convened in Savannah on the 20th of April 1896, hereby proffer, sincerely and fraternally, a standing invitation to the National Society of Sons of the American Revolution to unite with us in a single General Society, ac- cording- to the terms of union which were harmoniously agreed upon at the separate meetings of the two existing Societies in New York, February i6, 1893, as amended by striking therefrom the third paragraph of Article III, which provided for the admission of collaterals ; provided^ that prior to such actual union, the membership rolls of all the State Societies of both the existing societies, together with all the original credentials and applications on which mem- bership has been granted, shall be submitted for fresh ex- amination and revision to a competent and disinterested committee, so constituted by mutual agreement of the gene- ral ofiBcers as to command the entire confidence of both the uniting societies ; and provided^ further, that this committee shall be empowered and instructed to erase the name of any member, on the roll of any State Society, by whose creden- tials and application it would appear that he is not entitled to membership under such requirements of Article III of the Constitution agreed upon at New York, February 16, 1893, as relate to direct lineal descendants ; to the end that mem- bership in the Consolidated Society shall be indubitable proof of descent from one or more revolutionary ancestors. Resolved^ That the Secretary of the General Society of Sons of the Revolution be instructed to transmit a copy of these resolutions to the Secretary of the National Society of Sons of the American Revolution, with an expression of our hope that they will be received in the same frank and kindly spirit in which they are sent. I hereby certify that the foregoing is a correct copy of the original. JAMES MORTIMER MONTGOMERY, General Secretary. In reply thereto the General Secretary Sons of the Revo- lution received from the Secretary General Sons of the Amer- ican Revolution the following preamble and resolutions, adopted by the last named Society at its meeting held April 30, 1896: Whereas^ the National Society of the Sons of the Ameri- can Revolution note, with sincere gratification, the growing 3 sentiment in favor of a union with the Society of the Sons of the Revolution, upon terms which shall be well considered and equitable, and which shall tend to promote the honor^ dignity, and largest usefulness of the societies and the patriotic and public spirited objects for which both are organized ; and WJiereas^ the General Society of the Sons of the Revolu- tion, in triennial meeting assembled in the City of Savannah, Ga., April 20th Instant, did adopt resolutions extending a sincere and fraternal invitation to the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution to unite with them in a single society ; and Whereas^ the National Society of the Sons of the Ameri- can Revolution is heartily, sincerely, and fraternally desirous of a consolidation of the two societies, upon a well-considered basis, and is anxious to submit its rolls of membership to a most rigorous and searching examination by a competent and disinterested tribunal, in order that it may, once for all, in the eyes of all men, supply the indubitable proof of the eligibility of all its members, as lineal descendants of revolu- tionary ancestors ; now, therefore, be it Resolved^ by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, in annual congress assembled in the city of Richmond, Va., April 30th, 1896. That we do hereby send our most fraternal and cordial greetings to the General Society of the Sons of the Revolution, and declare without reservation our strong, sincere desire for a consolidation of the two societies into a single society upon a well-considered basis of union. Resolved^ That we do hereby instruct the general officers of this society to submit the membership rolls and the original credentials and applications, on which membership has been granted, for a fresh examination to a competent and disinterested committee, so constituted by mutual agree- ment of the general officers of both societies as to com- mand the entire confidence of both societies, said committee to indicate the person or persons in each society who shall not have indubitable proof of lineal descent from a revolu- tionary ancestor, in accordance with the plan of consolida- tion, agreed to by the committees of conference in 1893, but now voluntarily amended by the Society of the Sons of the Revolution by omitting the paragraph which provides for the admission of collaterals ; and the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution does hereby pledge itself to erase from its rolls of membership the names of all per- sons indicated by said committee as not having indubitable proof of lineal descent. Resolved.^ That we hereby empower the general officers of this society to appoint a committee of able, competent, and disinterested men, who shall confer with a like committee of equal size, appointed by the general officers of the Sons of the Revolution, to agree upon a basis for the union of the two societies ; to the end that said plan of union, together with the report of the Committee on Revision of the Mem- bership Rolls, may promptly be transmitted by the general officers of both societies to their respective State societies for approval, so that when a majority of the State societies of each organization shall have approved the same, said general officers may cause a special congress of the united societies to be elected upon the basis of the new constitution to form a national organization. And, further, we do hereby pledge the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution heartily and sincerely, to labor for the removal of €very possible cause of disagreement between the two socie- ties and to effect a satisfactory union at the earliest possible date. Resolved^ That the President General and the Secretary General of this society are instructed immediately to com- municate this preamble and accompanying resolutions to the officers of the General Society of the Sons of the Revo- lution, with the assurance of our fraternal regard, and our desire that a union of the two societies may speedily be effected. HORACE PORTER, (Seal.) President Generai., FRANKIvIN MURPHY, Secretary General. I hereby certify that the foregoing is a correct copy of the original. FRANKLIN MURPHY, Secretary General. The following correspondence has also been had : I. 146 Broadway, New York, May 25, 1896, Franklin Murphy, Esq., Secretar}' General Sons of the American Revolution, No. 143 Chestnut Street, Newark, N. J. Sir: I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of May 9th, enclosing certain resolutions which were unanimously adopted by the congress of the Sons of the American Revolution, assembled in Richmond, Va., on the 30th day of April, 1896. In reply to your communication I have been instructed by the General Oflficers of the Society of Sons of the Revolution to say, that they appreciate most highly the earnest desire for a fraternal union of the two societies as expressed by the resolutions of the National Society of Sons of the American Revolution, and that the General Officers of the Society of Sons of the Revolution, under the authority of the resolu- tions adopted by that society at its meeting held April 20th ultimo, (a copy of which is enclosed) are prepared to appoint an able and disinterested committee to examine the creden- tials of the members of both societies. I am instructed further to say that when this committee has completed its work as to the revision of the lists, and when the names of those in either society who have been found disqualified for membership have been erased from the rolls, the General Officers of this society will be prepared to unite in a call for a congress of the two societies, so that they may form one great national organization upon the basis of union and by the adoption of the Constitution agreed upon by the representatives of both societies on February 16, 1893, as amended by the General Society of Sons of the Revolution at its triennial meeting in Savannah, on the 20th day of April, 1896. I have the honour to remain your obedient servant, JAMES MORTIMER MONTGOMERY, General Secretary. 11. Newark, May 29, 1896. James M. Montgomery, Esq., General Secretary, Sons of tlie Revolution, 56 Wall Street, Room 5, New York. Dear Sir : I have already had the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of May 25, 1896, which I took pleasure in submitting to the General Officers of this Society. They instruct me to say in reply that they will be happy to- meet the General Officers of your Society at the Waldorf hotel, at 3.30 P. M., on Wednesday, June 3, or any other afternoon of next week which your Officers may find more convenient, for the purpose of selecting by mutual agree- ment a committee to examine the credentials of the mem- bers of both Societies as contemplated in the resolutions adopted by the two bodies ; that upon receiving its report they will strike from the rolls the names of those who may be foimd to be disqualified for membership, and that they will be prepared to form one organization upon a basis of union to be mutually agreed upon by a new conference com- mittee as proposed in the resolutions adopted by the Sons of the American Revolution, at Richmond, Va. I am instructed further to call attention to the fact that no mention is made in your communication of the provision embodied in the resolutions of this Society for the appoint- ment of " A committee of able, competent and disinterested men, who shall confer with a like committee of equal size, ap- pointed by the General Officers of the Sons of the Revolution to agree upon said basis of union." Our officers would be- glad to be informed whether it is the intention of the Officers of your Society to appoint such a committee. It is thought that the constitution prepared and submitted by the committees of the two Societies on February 16, 1893, and which failed of adoption, may be made more satisfactory by new committees, considering the fact that both Societies have undergone changes, contain many new members un- familiar with the proceedings of 1893, and have learned much from experience since that time as to the requirements which should be embodied in an instrument so important as that which is to constitute the organic law of a large and im- portant consolidated society. Strength is given to this belief hy the fact that your society has already suggested an im- portant amendment, namely, prohibiting the admission of collaterals, which will be accepted gladly by this society, as such a prohibition has always existed in the constitution of the Sons of the American Revolution, and by the further fact that the proposed constitution of 1893 contained con- flicting language and provisions which neither society pre- sumably would now want to have incorporated in the per- manent law which is to govern the joint society. The provision for the appointment of such committees by the two societies was embodied in the resolutions passed by this society, for the reason that it was supposed that it would be more satisfactory to both societies to have a full discussion of the subject and ascertain whether there are not advan- tageous changes which could be made that would meet with the assent of the two organizations. I am further instructed to convey to you the assurance that our General Officers are willing and anxious to unite with you in taking all steps, within their power, to promote the much desired object of a permanent union. Yours truly, FRANKLIN MURPHY, Secretary General. III. New York, June 8, 1896. Franklin Murphy, Esq., Secretary General Sons of the American Revolution, No. 143 Chestnut street, Newark, N. J. Dear Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 29th of May, 1896, in reply to my letter of the 25th ultimo. I am instructed by the General Officers of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution to say that there appears to have been a misunderstanding on the part of the Society of 8 the Sons of the American Revolution as to the meaning of the resolutions which were passed by this society on the 20th of April last at Savannah. I take the liberty of enclos- ing a copy of those resolutions for closer examination. You will see by the terms of the first resolution, that a standing invitation is tendered to the Society of the Sons ol the American Revolution " to unite with us in a single society according to the terms of tmion which were ti7iani- 7noiisly agreed upon at the separate meetiftgs of the two existing societies in New York^ February i6, 1893, ^^ amended by striking therefrom the third paragraph ot Article III, which provided for the admission of collaterals." The action of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution in their reply of the 25th of May, 1896, was limited by the terms and scope of the resolution adopted at Savannah, and they felt that they had no power to exceed the instructions which were given to them at that meeting. They therefore ex- pressed their readiness to appoint a committee of disinter- ested gentlemen to examine the credentials of the members of both societies, as this was the only committee which they were authorized to name. I am instructed further to say, that however opinions may differ as to the value of the terms of agreement which were adopted in February, 1893, it must be remembered that those terms were the result of many conferences of the rep- resentatives of both societies, and were supposed at the time to cover every point about which in future any dispute could arise. The meeting of two committees now, as proposed by the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, to consider a " basis of union," would necessarily open up the whole subject, as to name, insignia, qualifications, etc., etc., all ot which the Society of the Sons of the Revolution looked upon as concluded by the terms of agreement adopted in 1893. This society therefore regrets very much that the union of the two societies should now be made by your society to depend upon the adoption of a " new basis," when they had considered those important questions settled in 1893. In conclusion I would respectfully repeat that the power of the General Officers of this Society is limited by the reso- lution passed at Savannah, and they have no authority to appoint any committee but that which provides for the ex- amination of the credentials of the members of both societies. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, JAMES MORTIMER MONTGOMERY, General Secretary. IV. Newark, N. J., July 28, 1896. James Mortimer Montgomery, Esq., General Secretary, Sons of the Revolution. Dear Sir : I have the honor now to reply to your favor of June 8th, which I took pleasure in submitting to the General Officers of this society. They have instructed me to say that there was no mis- understanding on their part as to the wording of the resolu- tions which were passed by your society at Savannah, but the propositions expressed in our communication to you of May 29th were made in the hope that under the circum- stances, and in consideration of the general desire for prompt action in regard to union, your officers would take the re- sponsibility of acceding to the appointment of a committee to meet a committee named by this society to discuss the most important of all questions — a fair basis of union and to see whether such committees could not by mutual agreement unite upon a plan which could at least be submitted to the societies for their action. The resolutions of your society adopted at Savannah looked to the formation of a single society, upon the terms of union set forth in the proposed constitution of February 16, 1893, with an amendment thereto. It was, therefore, naturally supposed that as your society had made an amend- ment to that document without consultation with this society, the privilege should be accorded to this society of taking steps looking to the making of other amendments in con- sultation with your society. The Savannah resolutions speak of the constitution of 1893 as having been adopted by the societies whereas the proceed- ings show that that constitution failed to be adopted. Some of the reasons for believing that it is necessary for both socie- ties to have conference committees take up the plan of reorganization anew, are as follows : The proposed constitution of 1893 was prepared when the societies were small and without large experience in the means of carrying out the purposes of a great national patriotic organization. Of the present members, one-half perhaps, of each society have joined since the proceedings of 1893 and it would seem fair that they should have a right to be heard in a matter of such importance as a constitution for the goverment of a permanent union of these organiza- tions. The proposed constitution of 1893 is so defective that it is believed that your officers will agree that a large Society could not possibly work successfully under its provision. For in- stance, the last paragraph of Article III states that the Board of Managers of each State Society shall have full and exclusive power to determine the qualifications of applicants for membership, with power to expel or reject all applica- tions. Article VIII says that the General Society shall have power to admit State Societies and determine all questions affecting the qualij5cations of membership which may by proper memorial be presented for consideration. This lan- guage is confusing and seems to be contradictory. Besides, that constitution makes no provision for the filing of a copy of the credentials of members with the Registrar General of the National Society and does not sufficiently de- fine his duties or give him enough power to fix his responsi- bility in passing upon the validity of credentials. It pre- scribes the form of a seal which we are informed was long ago adopted by the Washington Continental Guard of New York City, which, having used the seal for many years, would apparently be entitled to continual use of the same without infringement. It names the last Wednesday in April as the day for the annual meeting when it has been the custom of both societies to meet on some patriotic anniversary, which gives a meaning and a purpose to the occasion. It also provides that the larger Society shall take the exact u name of the smaller Society, and it is assumed that that would mean coming under the charter of the latter Society, and be a complete and absolute absorption by one Society of the other, instead of a union of the two. The Society of the Sons of the American Revolution has never intimated, and does not now even suggest that its name be adopted by the joint Society, but thinks that possibly some equally good title, not the exact name of either Society, might be accept- able to both; for instance, the Society of the Revolution or the Society of the American Revolution. The adoption of some such name would be following the almost universal custom in naming patriotic Societies, among which may be named the Society of the Cincinnati ; the Society of the Col- onial Wars ; the Society of the Colonial Dames ; the Society of Foreign Wars; the Society of the Army of the Potomac, etc., etc. There are many who think there is more dignity attached to these names from the fact that they do not con- tain the word " Sons," a term which seems to suggest that the organization is composed of juveniles instead of adults, like the Junior Guards, Junior Veterans, Children of the Revolution, etc. It is advisable also to consider the subject of name for the reason that the plan of consolidation should provide for the largest possible usefulness and grandeur of the united Societies. The Sons of the American Revolution already have a Society in the new Republic of Hawaii, where no Society of this class could probably exist under the name simply of "Sons of the Revolution." It is entirely practic- able to form branch Societies in other foreign lands, if the title be specific in indicating that it is the American Revolu- tion, from which eligibility is derived. Again, the constitution of 1893 makes no provision for organizing chapters in the different states. The formation of chapters is becoming a prominent feature in the Sons of the American Revolution; it does much for the convenience of the members and is important as a means of enlarging membership. It therefore seems beyond dispute that the proposed constitution of 1893, "^ its present form, is seriously defective and obsolete. It seems to be of paramount im- portance that an instrument which is to form the organic law of a large and influential Society should be prepared be- 12 foreliand so that the present Societies will know exactly what provisions are to govern the new organization. It may- be said that after the adoption of the constitution it could be amended at pleasure by the joint Society, but your officers will probably agree with ours that it would be most unfor- tunate to have a feeling pervade the minds of the members of the Societies that after adopting a constitution embody- ing a basis of union there were to be immediate changes made in it. In union, upon a comprehensive and complete basis, we would hope to adjust all differences and put an end to con- troversy, whereas a union upon a basis which would call for immediate changes in the Constitution would precipitate dis- cussion and sow the seeds of discord. It would also look as if a majority might want to overrule the will of a minority, would manifest a disposition to continue the idea that there had existed two separate Societies and might jeopardize the success of the contemplated union. While the committee on credentials is performing its work, there will be ample time for conference committees to discuss a proper and permanent basis of union. If these committees could not agree upon a satisfactory plan, there would be no harm done, except the loss of time to the in- dividuals composing the committee. You will observe that this Society is instructed to take such a course by the resolu- tions passed at Richmond, and while your General Society may not have authorized your committee to proceed so far, doubtless if such a course has the approval of your General Officers a committee would be willing to discuss the whole question in the hope that an agreement for union might be reached; in which case such an agreement could be sub- mitted to the Congresses of both Societies next Spring, unless special Congresses should be called sooner, and, if accepted, union could then be had almost at once. It is only proper to say that in the opinion of our officers the feeling of our Society is that — earnestly and sincerely desir- ing union as it does, it nevertheless feels that such a union should be upon a basis that would be deemed fair after con- sidering all that there is to be presented from the points of view and experience of both Societies, and which would in the judgment of our most dispassionate and well informed 13 members, promote the highest usefulness of the united Societies. If, however, your Officers decline even to appoint the con- ference committee proposed we would be glad to be in- formed whether they will under the circumstances wish to proceed with the work of scrutinizing the credentials of the members in both Societies. If so, our General Officers in- struct me to say that they will be most happy to enter at once upon that branch of the subject in the hope that the eliminating of one point of dispute will bring the two organ- izations that much nearer to a union so much desired by all. In the present temper of the membership of both Societies, it is likely that union will go on piece-meal by the uniting of the various state Societies, and it would seem desirable that the National Societies should take the matter up more com- prehensively and submit some definite plan to the State Societies, which, if adopted, would be the means of forming a union that would be harmonious, permanent and com- plete, and calculated to ensure the highest usefulness of the Societies. Yours very truly, FRANKLIN MURPHY, Secretary General. V. New York, August nth, 1896. Franklin Murphy, Esq., Secretary General Sons of the American Revolution, No. 143 Chestnut street, Newark, N. J. Dear Sir: I have submitted your communication of the 28th of July to our General President, and in reply I am in- structed to say, that whatever may be the views of the members of the two societies upon the question of framing a new Constitution for a great National United Society, the General Officers of the Sons of the Revolution are bound to consider their power as limited by the resolutions passed at Savannah in April last, and have tendered to the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution a cordial invitation to 14 unite with them upon terms wholly within their instruc- tions. This invitation, we now consider, has been rejected by your society, and in its place a totally new proposition has been submitted to us, upon which your society has been authorized to act, and we are invited to co-operate without the authority of our members. It would be impossible for us to take this action, and inasmuch as the examination of the credentials of the members of both societies could only be of value in case of prospective union, we cannot appre- ciate the importance of the appointment of a committee un- less we were assured that further steps would be taken by your society to correspond to the invitation which has been tendered to you. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, JAMES MORTIMER MONTGOMERY, General Secretary. VI. Newark, N. J., September 21, 1896. James Mortimer Montgomery, Esq., General Secretary, Sons of the Revolution. Dear Sir : I received your communication of August nth, and have submitted it to our General Officers. I am instructed by them to say in reply that they greatly regret that your communication seems to take it for granted that on account of a conflict of instructions under which the General Officers of our respected Societies are acting, there has been reached a condition of affairs in our negotiations which leads your Officers to terminate them without an effiDrt to procure a wider authority from the members of your Society, and with- out deeming it of sufficient importance to proceed with the ex- amination of the credentials of the members of both Societies with a view to taking the preliminary steps looking to a union of the Societies. It is true that the Congress of the Sons of the American Revolution gave to its General Officers a more extended authority than the Congress of the Sons of the Revolution 15 gave to its Officers, but in a mattery of so much importance to both organizations, and regarding which there is such an earnest feeling on the part of the members, it was trusted that your Officers would discuss through conference commit- tees, a fair and equitable basis of union, and would mean- while proceed with the scrutinizing of the credentials of the members of both Societies, a work which will require a con- siderable time. The results reached by such committees would, of course, have no binding force without the sanction of your Congress, but they would bring the representatives of the two organizations into intimate communication, secure a free interchange of views and lead perhaps to a joint under- standing which would assist our respective Congresses in reaching a harmonious action. We understand, however, that your Society by corres- pondence and without the holding of a personal conference between your Officers and ours, rejects all our propositions looking to bringing about such action, and instead of co- operating with us with a view to forming a basis of union by mutual agreement, insist upon an absorption of our Society into yours, by taking your name, acting under your charter and conducting the business under a constitution which has been shown in a previous letter, to be seriously defective, obsolete and practically impossible for both. We can only, therefore, express our extreme regret that in spite of the earnest efforts made by this Society both in 1893 and in the present year, the much desired negotiations for union have been brought to a stand-still. Yours very truly, FRANKLIN MURPHY, Secretary Generai,. 16 COPY OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT, DECEMBER 22, 1892. To General Horace Porter, President General of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Hon. John Lee Carroll, President General of the Sons of the Revolution. The Committees of the Sons of the American Revolution and Sons of the Revolution, to whom was entrusted by their respective societies the duty of conferring upon the ques- tion of union of the two societies, beg leave to present this their joint Report. First: They desire to express their gratification at the cordiality, harmony and enthusiasm that have marked their deliberations, and the unanimity which has attended their conclusions. Secojid : The desirability of effecting a union being con- curred in by all, the Committees of Conference addressed themselves at once to the consideration of the questions essential to the accomplishment of the desired result. These were : 1. Name. 2. Colors. 3. Insignia. 4. New Constitution. Third: The Committees unanimously decided and do now recommend : 1. That the Sons of the American Revolution and Sons of the Revolution do unite in one organization. 2. That the society so constituted be named Sons of the Revolution. 17 3- That its colors be buff and blue. 4. That its insignia be, in its general features, that of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution ; that its seal be of the form hereinafter described. 5. That its Constitiition be as follows : The Constitution of the General Society Sons of the Revolution. ARTICLE I. The name of the Society shall be the "Sons of the Revolution." article ii. The objects of this society are, to perpetuate the memory of the men who, in the military, naval or civil service of the Colonies and of the Continental Congress, by their acts or counsel, achieved the Independence of the country ; to fur- ther the proper celebration of the anniversaries of the birth- day of Washington, and of prominent events connected with the War of the Revolution ; to collect and secure for preser- vation the rolls, records and other documents relating to that period ; to mark by appropriate monuments historic places ; to impress upon the present and future generations the pa- triotic spirit which actuated our ancestors and established the Republic of the United States, and to promote the feeling of friendship among its members. ARTICLE III. Any man is eligible for membership who is of the age of twenty-one years and who is lineally descended from an ancestor who, with unfailing loyalty, rendered material aid 18 to the cause of American Independence as a military officer^ minute-man, soldier, sailor or marine, or a civil officer in the service of any of the several colonies or states, or of the United Colonies or States, whose services as such official shall appear by public official record made at the time, and provided such man be found worthy. Provided further, that when the claim of eligibility is based on the service of an ancestor as a civil official, such service must have been performed in the civil service of the United States, or of one of the thirteen original States, and must have been sufficiently important in character to have rendered the official specially liable to arrest and imprison- ment, the same as a combatant, if captured by the enemy, as well as liable to conviction of treason against the Govern- ment of Great Britain. And provided further, that when there shall be no sur- viving issue in direct lineal succession from an officer, min- ute-man, soldier, sailor, or marine, who died or was killed in actual service, or from an officer who received by formal resolve the approbation of the Continental Congress for Revolutionary services, or from a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the claim of eligibility shall descend and be limited to one representative at a time in the nearest collat- eral line of descent from such ancestor, to be designated by the State Society ; and no other descendants in collateral lines shall be admitted in right of any services whatever. The Board of Managers of each State Society shall have full and exclusive power to determine the qualifications as to worthiness and eligibility of applicants for membership under this Article, with power to accept or reject all appli- cations. ARTICLE IV. The General Society shall be divided into State Societies^ which shall meet annually on the day appointed therefor in their respective by-laws, and oftener, if found expedient. The Secretary of each State Society shall transmit to the General Secretary a list of its members, together with the names and official designations of those from whom such 19 members claim membership, with a list of officers elected at each annual meeting. ARTICLE V. The State Societies shall regulute all matters respecting their own affairs consistent with the general good of the Society, judge of the qualifications of their members and of those proposed for membership, subject, however, to the provisions of this Constitution, and may expel any member who, by conduct unbecoming a gentleman or man of honor, or by an opposition to the interests of the community in general, or of the society in particular, may render himself unworthy to continue in membership. ARTICLE VI. The expenses of the General Society shall be borne by the State Societies by assessment pro rata according to mem- bership. ARTICLE VII. The regular meeting of the General Society shall be held every year on the last Wednesda}' of April in the city of New York, unless otherwise designated, and special meetings may be held upon the order of the General President, or upon the request of two of the State Societies, and such meetings shall consist of the General Officers and a represen- tation from each State Society not exceeding one delegate from each one hundred members of such State Society and every fraction of one hundred over fifty, and, ex-officio^ the President, Secretary, Registrar and Historian of each State Society, and two delegates-at-large from each State Society. The expenses attending the annual meetings of the Gen- eral Society shall be borne by the General Society. ARTICLE VIII. At the regular meeting a General President, Vice-Presi- dent, Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplain, Registrar and Historian shall be chosen by a majority of the votes present, to serve until the next regular general meeting or until their succes- sors are duly chosen. The General Society shall have power at any meeting to admit State Societies thereto, and to entertain and determine all questions affecting the qualification for membership in, or the welfare of, any State Society, which may by proper memorial be presented by such State Society for considera- tion. ARTICLE IX. The insignia of the General Society shall be a cross sur- mounted by an eagle in gold or silver, and a rosette. The cross shall be of silver, with four arms, and eight white enamelled points, same size as Chevalier's Cross of the Legion of Honor of France, with a gold medallion in the centre, bearing on the obverse a bust of Washington in pro- file, and on the reverse the figure of a minute-man sur- rounded by a ribbon enamelled buff" and blue, with the motto, " Libertas et Patria," on the obverse, and the legend, " Sons of the Revolution," on the reverse, both in letters of gold. The cross shall be surmounted by an eagle in gold or silver, and the whole decoration suspended from a ring of gold by a ribbon of dark blue, ribbed and watered, edged with buff", one and one-quarter inches wide and one and one-half inches in displayed length, and may be worn by any member of the Society on ceremonial occasions only, and shall be carried on the left breast, or, if an officer, on the collar, and shall never be worn as an article of jewelry. The custodian of this insignia shall be the General Secretary, who shall issue the same to the members of the society under such proper rules as may be formulated by the General Society, and he shall keep a register of such issues, wherein each insignia issued may be identified by the number thereof. The rosettes shall be seven-sixteenths of an inch in diam- eter, of usual pattern, displaying the colors of the Society, and may be worn by all members at discretion in the upper left hand button-hole of the coat. ARTICLE X. The seal of the General Society of the Sons of the Revolu- tion shall be one and seven-eighths of an inch in diameter, and shall consist of the figure of a minute-man in Continen- tal uniform standing on a ladder leading to a belfry and holding in his left hand a musket and an olive branch, and grasping in his right hand a bell rope ; above, the cracked ^' Liberty Bell ;" issuing therefrom a ribbon, bearing the motto of the Sons of the Revolution, " Exegi Momimejitum yEre Perennius ;^'' across the top of the ladder, on a ribbon, the figures " 1775," and at the left of the minute-man, and also on a ribbon, the figures " 1783 ;" the whole encircled by a band three-eighths of an inch wide, thereon at the top thir- teen stars of five points each, and at the bottom the legend, " Sons of the Revolution ;" the following being a fac-simile thereof : The custodian of the seal shall be the General Secretary. ARTICLE XI. This Constitution may be amended, provided two-thirds of the members of the General Society present at any gen- eral meeting or special meeting shall approve, and provided further, that notice of such motion to amend, specifying such proposed amendment in full, shall be given in writing to the presiding oflficer of the General Society and of each State Society at least sixty days before such motion is to be con- sidered. Fourth : That this proposed union may be made effectual this Committee further recommends : 1. The presentation of its report to the respective Na- tional Societies of the Sons of the American Revolution and Sons of the Revolution at meetings to be called for that pur- pose on Thursday, the i6th day of February, 1893, i^ '^^ City of New York, and the adoption at such meetings of a resolution recommending the union of the two societies and the adoption of the proposed Constitution. 2. At a joint meeting immediately thereafter, of the two General Societies, the adoption of the new Constitution and election of officers, to serve until the last Wednesday of April, 1894, or until their successors are elected. All of which is respectfully submitted. New York, December 22, 1892. FRED'K S. TALLMADGE, President of the Sons of the Revolution of the State of New York. JONATHAN TRUMBULL, President of the Connecticut Society Sons of the American Revolution. CHAS. H. WOODRUFF, Delegate New York Sons of the Revolution. HORACE PORTER, President General Society Sons of the American Revolution and Chairman General Conference Committee. JOHN LEE CARROLL, General President Society of Sons of the Revo- lution. 23 NOV lb 1205 BRADI^EY T. JOHNSON, President Maryland Society Sons of the American Revolution. EDWIN SHEPARD BARRETT, President Massachusetts Society Sons of the American Revolution. JOHN WHITEHEAD, President New Jersey Sons of the American Revolution. O. H. ERNST, Delegate from District of Columbia Sons of the Revolution. WM. RIDGI.EY GRIFFITH, Delegate from Maryland Society Sons of the American Revolution. THOMAS W. HALL, Delegate from Maryland Society Sons of the Revolution. SAM. W. PENNYPACKER, Delegate Sons of the Revolution of Pennsylvania. RICHARD McCALL CADWALADER, vice-President and Delegate Sons of the Revolu- tion of Pennsylvania. CHARLES HENRY JONES, Delegate Sons of the Revolution of Pennsylvania ROBERT LENOX BELKNAP, Delegate New York Society Sons of the Revolution. JAMES MORTIMER MONTGOMERY, Secretary of Committee of Conference. General Secretary Sons of the Revolution. Secretary of Sons of the Revolution State of New York. NATHAN WARREN, Registrar Massachusetts Society Sons of the American Revolution. 24 LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS lliiiiiliilllllilllllllllllillllllll 011 697 523 3 \