the encampment, he said: "I have not been able to enter into the details of the organization of a Ladies' Aid Society by the good ladies who have assembled in this city of Denver for this purpose; but, whatever they shall do that tends to perpetuate the great humane work of the war, that has now devolved on the Grand Army of the Republic, and upon all their wives and sisters and friends, I can assure them of my most hearty support."
The auxiliary also received a cordial welcome from other speakers, among them General John A. Logan, who said: "I was once a sufferer on a battle-held and long afterward in a hospital, and every morn I could feel as if a silver cord was twined around a capstan in the region of glory and reached to my heart, where it was anchored by the hand of woman. I thank God that he has brought to the front this auxiliary; that there was mind enough, charity enough, generosity enough, to bring into existence the Woman's Relief Corps."
The convention, upon reassembling, voted to hold its annual sessions on the date and in the city chosen by the National Encampment, G. A. R., and then elected officers for the ensuing year, namely: President, E. Florence Barker, Maiden, Mass.; Senior Vice-President, Kate B. Sherwood, Toledo, Ohio; Junior Vice-President, E. K. Stimson, Denver, Col.; Secretary, Sarah E. Fuller, East Boston, Mass.; Treasurer, Lizabeth A. Turner, Boston, Mass.; Chaplain, Mattie B. Moulton, Laconia, N.H.; Inspector, Emily Gardner, Denver, Col.; Conductor, P. S. Runyan, Warsaw, Ind.; Guard, J. W. Beatson, Rockford, Ill.; Corresponding Secretaries, Mary J. Telford, Denver, Col., and Ellen Fay, Topeka, Kan.
Mrs. Barker accepted an invitation to install the officers-elect, and after performing this ceremony she was duly installed as National President by Mrs. Fuller. At the close of the convention its members were guests at a reception tendered in the evening to Commander-in-chief Beath and Past Commander-in-chief Van Der Voort.
An invitation was extended the women from Massachusetts to accompany the commander-in-chief's party on a trip through the Colorado cañons. This afforded an excellent opportunity for conference upon the work of the year, and the mutual interests of the two national organizations were considered by their leaders.
Through the courtesy of George S. Evans, Department Conmiander, national headquarters W. R. C. were established at the headquarters of the Department of Massachusetts, G. A. R., in Pemberton Square, Boston.
To prove that a national order was needed, that the plan adopted at Denver was the best, and that women were capable of managing a large organization with ritualistic forms and parliamentary rules, required excellent judgment, tact, and a love for the work. These qualities were combined in Mrs. Barker, who sought advice from the officials of the Grand Army of the Republic, and recognized the importance of harmonious co-operation with them.
In her first general order, dated September 1, 1883, she said: "While working in unison with the G. A. R., we can accomplish great results and build well the structure, which we hope will stand years after the watchful comrades have left—as they must—their unfinished work to our willing hands."
At the National Convention at Minneapolis in July, 1884, Mrs. Barker was able to say: "Our success far exceeds the high anticipations of our most sanguine friends." She wrote over a thousand letters during the year she served as National President, visited the Departments of Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, and performed numerous other duties. She declined a re-election, but was made a life member of the National Executive Board, and until her death was a leader in the affairs of the order. A woman of commanding presence, always presiding with grace and dignity, Mrs. Barker was also an eloquent speaker, and she addressed many patriotic gatherings in different parts of the country. She represented the order at the International Council of Women held in Washington, D.C., in 1889, and favored progressive action when advocating the claims of woman's work for the veterans.
The National Woman's Relief Corps has received the cordial endorsement of every National Encampment since 1883, and is the only
