USA > Ohio > The Western Reserve of Ohio and some of its pioneers, places and women's clubs, Vol. II > Part 28
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The Tabernacle is enclosed in high walls, with gateways leading to the Temple, which is an artistic structure of grey stone, used only for the rites of the church and never open to visitors. As we neared our destination, beautiful hills and vales, clad in spring attire, attracted our view, and the hundred hills, upon which San Francisco is built, were to be seen in the distance, flanked by the blue waters of the Golden Gate.
SPECIAL DAYS COLUMBIAN DAY
From the Report of the Plain Dealer, March 23, 1894
Sorosis paid tribute to Columbia yesterday. It was the final celebration in memory of the Columbian Exposition, in- terest in which was intensified by the presentation to the Society of a bust of Washington, made by an Ohio sculptor. It was an interesting as well as charming social event, and the ladies who participated deserve great praise for their efforts in securing so great a triumph.
When Mrs. Leopold Dautel offered the Society the large bust of Washington, modeled by Wilson McDonald for the fam- ous equestrian statue of Washington that stands in Madison
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Square, New York, the club at once decided to make the cere- mony worthy of the gift. McDonald was a native of Steuben- ville, and the grandfather of Mr. Will McDonald, the well known singer of the Barnabee, Karl and McDonald Opera Co. Mrs. Dautel is also a native of Steubenville, and the bust was presented to her on that account by Mrs. Tilden of this city.
Sorosis ladies, in receiving, decided to make the day a Co- lumbian day. A series of tableaux were arranged by Mrs. C. H. Seymour, and a number of ladies took part in the ceremonies. The rooms were tastefully decorated with flowers by Mrs. Ella Grant Wilson.
The opening ceremonies consisted of a number of papers on the Columbian Exposition, by Mrs. S. P. Churchill and Mrs. Houghton.
Miss Helen Jones rendered two piano solos, and a number of impromptu addresses were made by members of the society, preparatory to the tableaux. The bust was placed on a large pedestal in front of the platform, draped in flags.
Then the following ladies, representing the thirteen original states, formed in a semi-circle behind the statue: Mrs. J. O. Leslie, New Hampshire; Mrs. E. C. Tilley, New York; Mrs. W. C. Ong, Rhode Island; Mrs. A. P. Tucker, Virginia; Mrs. Rose M. Anderson, Massachusetts; Mrs. Eisenman, New Jersey ; Mrs. F. Houghton, Delaware; Mrs. Olga Sturm, Maryland; Mrs. Mary Upson, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Charles Moore, Caro- lina; Mrs. M. Striebinger, Vermont; Mrs. S. P. Churchill, Georgia; Mrs. Chestnut, Connecticut.
Each lady carried an emblem of the state she represented and was attired in the national colors.
Miss Gabrielle Stewart was the goddess of liberty. She was attired in a charming costume of blue and white, with a
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liberty cap set jauntily on the side of her head. The calcium light was turned on, and Mrs. Tucker recited Longfellow's "Launching of the Ship," and Mrs. Churchill rendered several patriotic airs on the piano.
The statue was then unveiled by Miss Morna Selover, while Flossie and Clara Douglass, representing the South in Wash- ington's time, stood with clasped hands before the bust. Alice Tucker then crowned the statue with a wreath, and a number of ladies, representing the forty-four states, appeared to com- plete the picture.
Mrs. W. A. Ingham read a short poem on "What Washing- ton Did Not Have," and the ceremonies closed with the "Star Spangled Banner" and "America."
PRESENTATION DAY
At a meeting of the Executive Board of Sorosis on Thurs- day, May 14, a personal tribute of honor was paid to Mrs. W. G. Rose in the shape of a picture, a gift from Sorosis. The painting, a water color by Mr. Geo. Groll, was received by the former president of the society with a few pleasant and appro- priate remarks. Mrs. Mary E. Paine subsequently addressed the club in words eloquent with the spirit of gratitude and affec- tion in which Mrs. Rose is held by Sorosis. She referred to the ex-president as the originator, organizer and promoter of the society, and as one who had cheerfully worked in season and out of season for its advancement and good. She spoke of the energy, the progressive ideas and liberality of thought char- acterizing Mrs. Rose's work, and closed with a glowing tribute to Sorosis, speaking of the society as a sisterhood which united all its members in a bond of sympathy. The following three graces were recommended: Faith in fellow members, hope for the future glory of the society, and charity for all.
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The presentation remarks on the above occasion were made by Mrs. J. K. Hord, as follows:
'Tis said, "Whoever plants a tree becomes a public bene- factor." If this is true what may not be said for her who has planted here for us the tree of knowledge-Sorosis! Without giving Adam even a bite of its luscious fruit! While a period of but three years marks the time since first the tiny rootlets were imbedded, so tenderly have they been cherished under her care, the strength of years is found in the power with which they give support to the vigorous branches whose far-reaching verdure already finds a responsive thrill from many a weary, worn and thirsting spirit.
If, as Bulwer says, "One step in knowledge is one step in sin, and one step from sin is one step nearer heaven," then, indeed, what estimate too high for us to place on this most gracious boon! It were an idle theme for me to attempt at this time to give in words all that is implied to us in the name "Sorosis." It has become a household word-a magic talisman like Aladdin's lamp, whose very touch dispels the clouds which sometimes curtain themselves in the monotony of household cares. It is the window through which steals the bright rays of cheering hope, filling our hearts with fresh courage and re- newing our strength, that we may press onward and run the goal now open to our reach. With all the multiplied oppor- tunities for development and improvement now placed before us, we, the grateful recipients, turn our eyes in tenderness to our benefactor-our first president, Mrs. W. G. Rose-who, from the inception of our club, has shown such zeal and faithful de- votion towards crowning it with success.
Now, when she drops the mantle of her burden on other shoulders, and turns to pleasant recreation, it is my honored
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privilege to present this souvenir, in behalf of all the ladies of Sorosis, as a token of their high regard and esteem. May it ever serve as a link to bind us more closely in pleasant memories.
CANTON DAY
From the Report of the Plain Dealer, January 19, 1894
The visit of the members of the '93 Club of Canton to Cleveland yesterday, as guests of the Sorosis, was all the suc- cess that friends of those organizations could desire and that this paper predicted.
The members were met at the depot by Mrs. C. S. Selover and escorted to the exhibition, where they were met by a recep- tion committee consisting of Mrs. W. G. Rose, Mrs. B. F. Taylor, Mrs. W. S. Kerruish, Mrs. W. A. Ingham, Mrs. J. M. P. Phelps and Miss Georgie Norton.
The ladies spent the morning at the exhibition and then went to the Sorosis rooms in the City Hall, where luncheon was served from 12 to 2 o'clock, under the direction of Mrs. C. H. Seymour. The ladies of the '93 Club present were Mesdames Pontius, DeHoff, Flusser, Braly, Bona, Bernower, Wyant, Quinn, Rex, Frankfelter, Shaffer, McCarty, Courtney, Merriam, Trump, Jones, Vignos, Sherrick, Sherwood, Morrow, Erwin, Nye, Misses Nye, Danner and Vignos.
Mrs. Ingham addressed the club on behalf of the Sorosis, extending to the members the hearty greetings of the organiza- tion and referring to the success of the younger organization in the celestially named city of Stark county.
Mrs. President Sherwood, on the part of the '93 Club, eloquently responded.
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Mrs. Jones of Canton followed in a short but most expres- sive testimonial to the value of woman's work. Mrs. B. S. Cogswell, of the Home for Friendless Girls, explained the good work done at that institution in the prevention of crime. Mrs. Sidney Short then gave a sort of entree to the literary feast to follow. Mrs. C. E. Tillinghast, one of the custodians of the Club, read a carefully prepared paper on "The Lady Editors of Cleveland." Mrs. O. C. Lawrence, president of the Literary Guild, recited "The Ill Fated Mary, Queen of Scots." Mrs. M. J. Caton read a paper on "Constance Fennimore Woolson." Mrs. Thomas gave a description of the work of Mrs. Emma Booth of this city. "The Literary Work of Mrs. Sarah K. Bolton" was the title of an interesting paper by Mrs. Tobien.
Miss Mary Quintrell spoke of the work of Mrs. Lydia Hoyt Farmer, and after a recitation by Mrs. Lawrence, the formal programme closed and tea was served, the visitors leaving at six o'clock for Canton, apparently delighted with their visit to Cleveland and Sorosis.
REVIEW OF HAMILTON'S OFFICIAL ACTS
Read by Mrs. W. G. Rose at Novelist Club
Alexander Hamilton was a mathematician and a good financier. In his Report as Secretary of the Treasury under Washington's first administration he outlined a policy that was followed by the government. It reads as fresh news today.
The soldiers had sold their certificate of pay to anyone who would buy them and at any price they could get. The question was, why should these middle men receive all the government would be able, in the future, to pay for them.
Madison was in favor of the original holders receiving the highest price but the claims of the assignees nullified the claims
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of the original holders and his proposition was rejected 36-13 by Congress.
Hamilton advised the government to assume all the debts, Foreign, Domestic and State, and pay the Foreign debt first, with its interest. Then, have the post office revenue as a sink- ing fund, for a debt should have a way to liquidate it. Also proposed that increased duties be put on all foreign commodi- ties. The debt divided as follows: The entire debt being eighty million, the foreign debt ten million besides interest of one and one-half million. The domestic debt with interest forty million, and the state debt with interest thirty million. After this report there was a rise of fifty per cent in securities.
In March, Congress voted to pay the interest on the foreign debt and the domestic debt in full. The assumption of the state debt was fought out later and Virginia who especially opposed it, was won over by having the Capital of the United States removed from Philadelphia to the banks of the Potomac in Virginia. The District of Columbia ten miles square to be governed by Congress only, was to be the permanent seat of United States government.
Hamilton proposed a tax on whiskey or an excise bill. It was bitterly opposed by Western Pennsylvania and by the Southern States. He also proposed a mint and have the coins stamped with the head of Washington. He made the details so explicit there was no excuse for delay. Hamilton as Secre- tary of the Treasury bought government financial securities in various places, strengthening the public credit. He used the sinking fund for that purpose. The custom house officers collected nearly two million dollars to meet the expense of the government.
Jefferson had arrived home from France. He did not
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approve of the assumption by the United States government of all the debts. He persuaded Madison and Randolph to oppose it, said it was unconstitutional. Hamilton said it was the only solution of the problem.
Hamilton desired to attach the wealthy men to the govern- ment so that they would rise or fall with it. He asked that a number of subscribers be incorporated into a Bank of ten millions deposit. The par value of each share be four hundred dollars. Let the government put in two million and as much more in installments yearly of $200,000. He only omitted what was said on school matters. When hawked about the streets for sale, Hamilton said, "I am buying my own speech."
Hamilton wrote under the name of Publicus and in that way influenced public opinion. Hamilton lead the Federalists. Jefferson the Republicans. The latter were the head of a large party that was entitled to recognition, therefore he was placed in Washington's cabinet.
Washington wished him to be special envoy to England, but Hamilton advised John Jay. His speech is full of the offences to us of the British. He returned with a treaty very favorable to them. The papers tried to prove him a liar. Hamilton called it an old woman's treaty but endorsed it.
Washington refused a third term. He had been called a public thief. Jefferson had very democratic views and dressed in homely attire. He won the people to his views and Adams was made President by only three majority and he blamed Hamilton for it. Jefferson was vice-president.
In that day the largest vote received the Presidency and the second largest the Vice Presidency. In his farewell ad- dress Washington told Hamilton to write it out in full and he would select from it.
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McMASTER'S VIEWS OF HAMILTON
Hamilton was fertile in expedients, no difficulty was so great he could not see its solution. His taxing whiskey to raise money seems reasonable today. The result of Hamilton's improvements was a great gain in industries and a good de- mand for money.
In 1792 Congress thought the public debt should be reduced and asked Hamilton to furnish a plan, but Madison opposed it and said, what they wanted was information.
In the war of France with England, Washington advocated neutrality and was encouraged by Hamilton. Washington said, "It is our policy to steer clear of any permanent alliances with any portion of the world."
A proposition was made to seize all money due from citi- zens of the U. S. to Englishmen and hold it for losses of Ameri- can vessels from British privateers, but it was dropped.
Then John Jay was sent to make a treaty with England in March, 1795, and although the treaty was accepted by several states of the north, the Republicans said that the President should be impeached. Virginia was especially bitter under the influence of Jefferson.
Jefferson was a clog to the administration of Washington. He had pamphleteers to attack the measures of the government. He was the head of a large party, therefore Washington gave him a place in his cabinet and in that way he was cognizant of any event and opposed every undertaking. He was supremely jealous of Hamilton and had won over Madison and Munroe.
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PRESIDENT JEFFERSON
Read before Novelist Club by Mrs. W. G. Rose
Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States.
The Jefferson family came to America in 1612. In 1619 one of them was a member of the first Legislature of the United States, that of Virginia, but his life is unknown.
In 1708 Peter Jefferson, the grandfather of Thomas Jeffer- son, was born on the Roanoke River, Albermarle County, Va. He married in 1839 Jane Randolph of Goodland County. She was 19 years old, strong of heart and well read.
Peter Jefferson with Prof. John Fry of William and Mary College surveyed the line between North Carolina and Virginia and entered a patent for 1,000 acres of land. He purchased of Mrs. Randolph a site for a house, but in six years went to live in the home of Col. William Randolph as guardian of his son, Thomas Maine Randolph. He died August, 1757, leaving a widow, two sons and six daughters.
To one son he gave the first home, to the other the family house "Shadwell."
Thomas Jefferson was born in "Shadwell," April 13, 1743. The death of his father when he was 14 years, left him with large property and many slaves. When only five years old he was placed in the family of Rev. Maury and studied Greek, Latin and French and acquired a taste for writings of ancient philosophers and poets, that remained through life.
At seventeen years he entered the college of William and Mary. He there met Rev. Suell, a Scotchman, a professor of mathematics, who encouraged Jefferson to pursue metaphysical studies. Mr. Suell introduced Jefferson to Governor Fackuir
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and to the office of George Wythe, who used to say to Jefferson, "Parlament had no more authority over us than we over them and we are co-ordinate nations with Great Britain."
In 1767, he was admitted to the bar and in 1769 he was sent to the Legislature of Virginia. He there introduced a resolution to liberate the slaves, but it was not approved, by those who loved their comfort and their ease.
When the stamp-act was promulgated in 1765, Jefferson listened to Patrick Henry, who said, "The colonies are taxed internally and externally."
In the Legislature of 1765 the Virginia assembly espoused the cause of Massachusetts and was dissolved by the royal governor, then, the members pledged not to use any article imported from Great Britian and advised the people to follow the same course. They adjourned but were unanimously re- elected. Again they held a consultation and sent a circular letter to each colony.
Great Britain at once closed the port of Boston, had their Legislatures suspended, their charters annulled, trial by jury taken away and their trials to be had in Great Britian, they were published as cowards at the Courts of Europe.
There was no alternative but abject submission, or an appeal to arms. The King made it a rule not to redress a grievance, unless there was manifested a spirit of obedience. He said parliament had a right to tax the colonies and that one tax must be laid to keep up that right.
Lord North was only the echo of the King and sent a cir- cular to all the colonies, that no taxes would be laid on them, except the one on tea.
Dr. Johnson said, "The Americans are a race of convicts and ought to be satisfied with anything short of hanging." The caricatures represented the American as an Indian.
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Others thought they were nearly all negroes. The political ideas were so strangely at variance with theories of England that the members could not comprehend them.
The day it was to go into operation, they made a day of fasting and prayer to give them one heart and one mind and not civil war. Again Lord Dunmore dissolved the assembly, again they met privately and they declared England would make them slaves. An attack on one colony was an attack on all and a general Congress was called for August 1st, in Phila- delphia.
Jefferson represented Albemarle. He drew up instructions to be given to the delegates, he sent one copy to Patrick Henry and the other to Peyton Randolph, chairman of the convention.
He said non-patriotism was a natural right, that is, to re- nounce the rights of citizenship. When one is born in one country and accepts another as his home, it was a right, not to be interfered with and the document was called, "A summary review of the rights of British America." Jefferson's name was signed to it.
He, with six others, were to be arrested for high treason but subsequent events caused it to be dropped. In August the convention met in Philadelphia and a more modest statement made. Jefferson approved, for his words were in advance of public sentiment.
Lord North sent resolutions for the next Virginia assembly, and Jefferson was asked to prepare an answer to them and they were unanimously passed. He was then delegated to take them to the general assembly in Philadelphia.
Mr. Jefferson was elected in August to the third assembly. The erection of earthworks around Boston showed the colonists that Britain was going to use coercion.
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The battles of Concord and Lexington had been fought. No more compromise could be made and action took the place of lethargy. Jefferson's whole soul was engaged in the struggle, his aim was for the good of the country of which he was a citizen.
In May, 1776, the delegates from Virginia in the Congress were instructed to propose a "Declaration of Independence of the dominion of Great Britain" and six were appointed to pre- pare the declaration.
Adams, Franklin, Sherman, Livingston and Jefferson, the original manuscript was in the handwriting of Jefferson.
Thirteen colonies declared themselves independent of Great Britain July 4, 1776, not until the 9th were all the colonies signed. Articles of Confederation were acted upon from July until February. Jefferson resigned to become a member of the Virginia Legislature and to frame its laws adapted to the republic.
He moved the establishments of the courts of justice for the abolishment of the system of entail, as an injury to younger children of aristocratic families. A bill to prohibit the slave trade, but the crown and ministry objected, as they had profits, but it was carried in 1778.
A regular salary was paid the clergy from the sale of tobacco and all the inhabitants taxed for this purpose. Jeffer- son, brought up a Presbyterian, advocated the disestablishment of the church and the sects were taxed only for their own clergy.
In the laws of Virginia, Jefferson was appointed on the criminal law and he proposed the abolishment of the death penalty except for treason and murder. A total of 126 bills were presented, some not acted upon until 1785.
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After the termination of the war there were bills on education, that all should be taxed alike. This would throw the burden on the rich, who cared nothing for these schools but it was imperative.
In 1779 Jefferson was elected Governor of Virginia to suc- ceed Patrick Henry, also one of the visitors to the college of William and Mary. He effected two changes, abolishing the grammar school and establishing a chair of law, police, medi- cine and chemistry, and instead of divinity and oriental lan- guages, he added natural history, philosophy and fine arts.
Mr. Jefferson found American prisoners were treated cruelly and he remonstrated, until Great Britain was con- strained to follow the laws of civilized warfare.
In 1780 the British soldiers under Cornwallis invaded the state. Arnold, the traitor, ascended the James River. Jefferson called for horses from the members of Legislature and had considerable cavalry. He heard of the forces in the town and sent his wife and family to hiding and while securing valuable state papers, was told they were ascending the hill to the State House. He then rode across the county to where his family was in hiding. He was accused of carelessness, but was exon- erated by the people.
In 1776 Jefferson and Franklin were sent to France to negotiate an alliance with that government, but his wife was an invalid with two small children to care for, and he declined. Silas Dean was there and Mr. Lee was sent in his stead.
Five years later he was again appointed, in 1782. Mrs. Jefferson had died the summer before and he accepted the posi- tion, but an alliance with England and France made it unneces- sary and he returned to Monticello, his home in Virginia.
The general Congress met in Trenton, N. J. Seven states
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were represented, nine was a quorum, so nothing could be done. Some thought seven was enough to ratify the treaty but it was lost. Afterward South Carolina and Connecticut dele- gates presented themselves and the treaty was signed.
In 1784 finance was considered. Robert Morris prepared a table on the value of foreign coin. After one year Mr. Jeffer- son proposed to make four coins, one of gold, two of silver, and one of copper. The gold piece to be ten dollars, the dollar and dime of silver and the cent of copper. This is now in use, the best system in the world.
Mr. Adams and Mr. Franklin were ambassadors abroad, one in London the other in Paris. Congress chose Mr. Jefferson as a third. He sailed the fifth of July and arrived the 26th, 19 days on passage, taking with him the second daughter.
Mr. Adams came from London and the three made a form of treaty that was accepted by Prussia, Denmark and Tuscany. Other countries were indifferent to it. Jefferson went to Lon- don and was presented at the Court of St. James, but they were not cordial and he perceived no favors could be expected there
Meanwhile, privates from the border coasts had captured two American merchant ships. Mr. Jefferson proposed a joint attack of all powers upon them, to guarantee peace to each other, but some were not prepared to act and it failed.
Mr. Jefferson proposed Congress be divided into two parts, one executive, the other administrative, one from each state, constitute the executive and delegates were appointed and met in Philadelphia from May to September.
Jefferson opposed the president succeeding himself to office as they so soon slide into inheritance. He said, "My wish was that the president be elected for seven years and be ineligible to a second term, but it was made eight years, the first four to be called probation."
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