Day 86 of 110: Farewell Address - Washington to Flag Day

Yesterday, I shared the beginning of the Farewell Address of the State Regent, given by Mrs. W. O. Spencer, one of our chapter members, at the end of her term as State Regent. The beginning of the address focus on her activities as State Regent during January 1922 when the Disarmament Conference was held at DAR's own Memorial Continental Hall in Washington, DC.

Mrs. Spencer continues her Farwell Address in chronological order. We pick up again in February, 1922.

Washington's birthday as indeed a gala occasion, as it was my pleasure to celebrate it twice in one year, first with the Winston-Salem Chapter, where a fitting and delightful program was enjoyed, and again with the Greensboro Chapter, when an elaborate and beautiful Colonial Tea was presented.

The first days of April it was my pleasure to accept an invitation to the Georgia State Conference, which was held in Valdosta, Georgia. I went as the envoy of our candidate for President General, and the many, and very lovely courtesies which were to have been tendered Mrs. Reynolds, were showered upon me. I have not words adequate to express to you my gracious reception at the hands of those splendid Georgia women, and I shall ever be grateful for the privilege of representing you upon this altogether lovely occasion.

Immediately following my return from Georgia, I went to Washington for the meeting of the National Board, followed by the Congress. Splendid achievements were wrought at the meeting, and I feel that you will be happy to know that your Regent was requested to act as hostess for all the states, at a luncheon given by State Regents to the national Board on Saturday preceding Congress.

Several weeks immediately following Congress, were spent in New York, and you will be pleased to hear, I am sure, that your Regent had the honor of being invited by Mrs. Schuyler, President of the U.D.C., to be her guest at a beautiful luncheon tendered her by the U.D.C. f the city of New York.

On May 20th, I was the guest of Thos. Wade Chapter of Wadesboro, at the impressive unveiling of the magnificent drinking fountain erected by the Chapter to the memory of the Revolutionary and World's War heroes of Anson County. It was my pleasure to compose the inscription to the heroes of the Revolution, and I have had no task that I have loved better. I feel that no commendation which I could verbalize would sufficiently express the honor which is due the Thos. Wade Chapter for this splendid labor of love which they have wrought, and I shall ever happily remember the unique occasion, Commander McNider, of the American Legion, and your Regent, representing the Daughters of the American Revolution, spoke to the immense audience, after which a most delicious barbecue dinner was served to the many thousands who were present. 'Twas indeed a "red letter" day for Anson County.

Inscription: Erected in honor of Anson County soldiers who served in the World War to preserve the principles and ideals of American independence, and to vouchsafe to succeeding generations the sublime truth and the sacred trust of liberty, equality and justice.

On May 26th the meeting of the Second District was held in Winston-Salem with every Chapter represented. The Regent of the hostess Chapter, Mrs. Clay Williams, presided with the utmost grace and dignity, and the cooperation and enthusiasm of each member present, crowned the day with far-reaching success.

The entire first week in June was spent in the eastern part of the state. Going first to Goldsboro in answer to a special invitation, delightful courtesies were extended me there. Then on to Tarboro, where I was the guest in the beautiful home of Mrs. C. M. Parks, motoring from there to Halifax, where I attended the Fourth District meeting, and formally received for the state, the Constitution House, which was presented by the Elizabeth Montford Ashe Chapter. The gratitude of the entire state and organization is due this splendid Chapter and Miss Ursula Daniel for the rehabilitation of this historic house. The property will be turned over to the State at this meeting. Every Chapter save one, was represented at this District meeting, a delightful barbecue and picnic dinner being served in the grove. While in Halifax, your Regent visited the ruins of the John Paul Jones home, that she might intelligently recommend the first solution of this matter. Early in the year, permission having being given by the National Board, corporation papers were issued by the Secretary of the State for the incorporation of the Daughters of the American Revolution of North Carolina, and I have the honor of announcing that the organization in North Carolina has become a corporate body with all privileges obtainable by such procedure. Two Chapters, the Stamp Defiance at Wilmington, and the Cornelius Harnett at Dunn, have received their charters during the past year.

June 9th your Regent spent in Rocky Mount where a splendid Chapter was organized with sixteen charter members, with Mrs. R. P. Holt regent. Going from there to Wilson, another fine Chapter organization was perfected, the Thomas Hadley Chapter, with Mrs. Walter Woodard, Regent.

Chapters have been authorized by the State Regent at the following places, and when a few details are fully complied with, they will be organized formally and presented to the National Board for confirmation: Oxford, Mrs. James Horner, Regent; Warrenton, Mrs. J. G. Ellis, Regent; Winston-Salem, Mrs. E. B  Jones, Regent; Snow Hill, Mrs. W. B. Murphy, Regent; Mebane, Mrs. J. R. Singleton, Regent; Reidsville, Mrs. W. B. Oliver, Regent; and Shelby, Mrs. E. Yates Webb, Regent. With the exception of the last three named, the organizing Regents have been confirmed by the National Board, and the actual organization is pending.

These will all be active working chapters before my office expires next April, and with the two others mentioned before, make nine splendid chapters which have been organized within this year, and will complete the actual organization of fourteen chapters since I have been your Regent. The revivifying of the Gideon Lamb Chapter, which was entirely dormant, and which I visited in person on June 9th, has been a labor of love for me. It has been my sad duty to disband two chapters, one at Morganton and one in Charlotte, during my term in office, but I am happy to say that I shall turn over to the newly elected Regent of North Carolina in April forty-three active, wide-awake, well-informed Chapters. My rosary of dreams - how often during the past four years I have counted them over and over, each one a priceless pearl! May God keep and bless you every one, and may you grow in service to God and man through the years, even until you are mine again, in a broader, wider sphere!

On June 14th, I was happy to be present and to enjoy with Mrs. Reynolds and her guests the celebration of Flag Day. The Reynolds estate, "Tanglewood,"was indeed a fit setting for the splendid program which had been prepared for our pleasure.

Mrs. Spencer's Address provides insight regarding the early State Society. Many of the chapter names I recognize and can name friends who are Daughters in those Chapters today. I have often been amazed at the amount of travel these ladies managed - or, to use Mrs. Spencer's own words - the amount of 'motoring' that they accomplished. This was, of course, before our modern highway systems. And the reference to the Flag Day event at Mrs. Reynolds' Tanglewood estate was wonderful for me personally. Our chapter recently met at Tanglewood too, and took time while there to reflect on Mrs. Kate Bitting Reynolds, mistress of Tanglewood, and her DAR activities.

Remarkably, Mrs. Spencer has only covered six months of 1922. There is more to follow!