The Society of the Cincinnati in New England 1783-1800

T SHE first American patriotic order, the Society of the Cincinnati, so startled the citizens of I783 that they promptly denounced it as un-American and unpatriotic. As the precursor of all subsequent veterans' and hereditary associations, the vicissitudes it encountered through all the states and in New England in particular are of continuing interest. At the very outset of the nation's life the organization drew sharply into focus the problems posed by groups within the community claiming special privileges because of military service and special distinctions because of ancestry.' On May I3, I783, shortly before the Continental Army disbanded, a gathering of officers along the banks of the Hudson formed a society which, in accordance with the young republic's tendency to compare itself with the states of classical antiquity, they named the Cincinnati after the Roman soldier-citizen example they professed to follow. Its constitution, rather formally entitled the Institution, provided that membership was to pass to the eldest male descendants of the founders, but also allowed the admission of honorary members whose views may be directed to the same laudable objects with those of the Cincinnati. Each officer was to contribute one month's pay into a permanent charitable fund. Since general meetings of the entire order were to be held only every three years, it was suggested that each state society send occasional circular letters to all the other constituent societies noting whatever they think worthy of observation respecting the good of the Society or the general union of the States..... Finally, the Institution described in considerable detail the organization's badge, an elaborate medal in the form of a gold eagle to be hung by a blue and white ribbon.2

Political science · American Constitutional Law and Politics · History