USA > Wisconsin > Centennial records of the women of Wisconsin > Part 10
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Gen. GEO. B. SMITHI, master of ceremonies, in the costume of a gentleman of King GEORGE's court, hushed the waiting crowd by announcing the first tableau. This was Gen. WASHINGTON'S first visit to the fair young widow, Mrs. CUSTIs, who, with her two children playing at her feet, is surprised by his entrance. The tableau was shown in a gilded frame to resemble the pic- tures from which it and all the succeeding ones were taken. It was life-like and exquisite beyond description. Mr. STUART, our southern artist, and a gentleman who came to us a few years since a stranger and now abides the universal friend and favorite in all our homes, very suitably personated our first chivalric
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president, and throughout preserved that stately dignity and impressive reserve for which WASHINGTON Was noted. Miss FLORA VAN NORSTRAND, formerly one of our own sweet girls, but now claimed by Green Bay, appeared as Mrs. CusTis, in that cos- tume and coiffure which for grace and beauty it will ever be diffi- cult to excel. The curtain rose and fell several times in response to the enthusiastic encore, and yet no one gazed long enough on the interior of that lordly home on the Potomac, of which WASHI- INGTON became master when he afterwards received the hand of its mistress. The second tableau was INMAN's most popular pic- ture, which has made us all familiar with the WASHINGTON family group after the lapse of years. The children are larger, and the lady is now aging. Some quoted HERBERT'S -
"Nor spring nor summer beauty has such grace As may be seen in her autumnal face,"
while admiring Mrs. WILLIAM MEARS, who sat for Lady WASH- INGTON. The resemblance was at once so striking and lovely, that an exclamation of delight thrilled through the entire andience.
Judge RYAN's address asks no meed from ns but thanks, for its words of eloquent pathos speak to every heart:
"'Breathes there the man with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land?'
"Poetry is an outery of our higher nature. And well might the fervent poet feel incredulous of one so unnatural, for love of country is an instinct of nature. All society rests on natural necessities. When God. in His beneficence, instituted the family, He ordained the nation. For families constitute communities and are the integers of nations. So family love is the gem of patriotism: love of home, the inspiration of love of country. And so, true to nature, the poet adds:
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"' Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned As home his footsteps he hath turned From wandering on a foreign strand.'
"Home is not the dwelling, so much as the indwellers; the loving hearts, the pleasant voices, the sympathetic faces which consecrate it. So is country not so much the land, as the people who possess it and give it character. Israel was a nation in the desert as well as in the land flowing with milk and honey; intensely patriotic without a county; a homeless people wandering with but prophetic love of the promised land. We love home in our love of those who make it home; we love country in our love of the kindred race who make it a living nation. We may sigh for lovely spots which once were home, but home follows the househokl. We may look back with lingering affection on our birthplace, but our country is with the people amongst whom we cast our lots to live and to die. And yet there is, perhaps, something more than association; an inscrutable affinity between the land and the people; a sympathy with the scene of love which seems to be part of the love itself. Places once loved for their sake whose places know them no more forever, are inexplicably dear to us. This lovely spot of earth is dear to you all. But it is not altogether these graceful undulations, these embowered hills, these glistening lakes, this smiling landscape studded with pretty homes. that you love. It is rather those who dwell in them, sanctifying nature with the offices of human love. In desolate winter, Madison is as dear to you as in pleasant sum- mer. And yet, if the whole community should emigrate together, even to some finer and happier abiding place, would you not all yearn for this deserted spot; mourn with GOLDSMITH over your unforgotten -
"'Sweet Auburn, loveliest village of the plain?'
" And so we all love the land of our inheritance or choice, the insensible scene; but we love with higher and more intelligent love the people who give it life and history. This people. from zone to zone, from sea to sea, in the semi-arctic north or the semi-tropic south; on the thrifty shores of the Atlantic, or the golden sands of the Pacific; born in the folds of the flag, or finding an asylum under it; all who inhabit the land and love it; all who abided by the Union, and all stray sheep who have been restored to the fold; all who claim the great American name and honor it; these are our country-these, and the land so blessed with wealth of nature; these, and the institutions now reaching their century of age; these are the nation whose birthday we are keeping, because we love it and all that belong to it. On these, which we call the United States, on the
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Union, and on every state in it, on this vast aggregation of American homes, and on every home in it, we meet to-night to invoke the blessing and guid- ance of the Lord God of the nations. It is His beneficent order that, of all His creatures on earth, the children of man should mature slowest, remain longest within the age of nurture. Brief as life is, this is great mercy. Because, gifted with reason, and responsible for it, man only, of all creatures, needs edu- cation of his intelligence. The dependence of children is the opportunity. And so the early birthdays of our sons and daughters are not mere festivals; they are mile-stones on the road of life; days of solemn admonition, for study of the past and consideration of the future; that our young ones may gather strength and wisdom before they leave us to encounter alone the trials, and drink the bitter waters of the world.
"Nations, too, have youth and maturity and age. That is the lesson of all history. They dream who talk of the perfection or perpetuity of human institu- tions. The end of all the work of man is the end of man himself-decay and death. There is no eternal vigor for the nations. Age will come, but first youth and maturity. And education will do for nations what it does for individuals - invigorate youth and lengthen maturity. For nations, too, have education. Each generation educates the next. And national education, what we call progress, never ceases from generation to generation. This country began its national edu- cation most happily in the colonies. It graduated most auspiciously in the revolu- tion. But America is but a stalwart youth yet, a young giant of undeveloped strength antl stature, with much to learn for good or for evil. Its birthdays should be days of exultation indeed, or we should be ungrateful to our fathers and to the God of our fathers. But they should be also days of reflection and of counsel; wise festivals wisely kept. Above all, they should be kept in the broad and true patriotism which embraces the whole country, and loves it because it is the country. It may well be that the generous, forbearing and catholic spirit of a century ago might have spared this generation the terrible episode whose glory bears the reproach of all civil strife. Let us to-day thank Him, whose service is perfect peace, that the bitterness of that time is fast passing away. Let it be, a year hence, the glory of the centenary, that love has outlived hate and buried it in the grave of the past forever.
"This is the annual eve of that day, for which so much is done and from which so much is hoped. The lights and shadows of almost a hundred years are upon this day. For there is light and shade in all human history, and ours has no magical exemption. Neither individual nor nation can escape altogether the human doom of error. But wise is the man or nation who is taught by failure.
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Sun your hearts to-day in the warm lights of the century past, but do not shut them against the grave lessons veiled in the shadows. It is not for me, it is not, perhaps, for any living to speak the lessons of to-day. The voices of a century are in your ears; the voices of the great and wise and good, who, being dead, yet speak. Are there such living voices now? Are there such men now? Is there such public virtue now? Is there a pure society now? How do these days, and the people of these days bear comparison with those days and the people of those days? What has the land to show for the growth of a hundred years? Great population, great development, great power, great wealth. Are these all? Have these brought with them none of the luxury and license which turn blessings into curses? Compare the men standing at the end of the century with the men of the beginning. Is the standard of public manhood as high? Or, amidst the gigantic growth of the nation, are the men of this day dwarfed by the men of that day? These are not my ques- tions. They are the questions of those who made this a national holiday; the questions of those who gave us this inheritance of glory and of duty; the questions of the past to the present; voices echoing in our ears to-day down a hundred years of history. It is for you, not for me, to answer these. Yet not for you only; for the whole American people. Words will not answer them. They are historical questions, and the answers must be historical; the annals which the present is to add to the past.
"One great and wise voice sends warning to our ears to-day, crying 'Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable." Since that glorious head was laid in the dust, the Union has had its trial, and, thank the God of Nations, that danger seems passed forever. If the living dead witness the doings of posterity, how that great statesman's heart must exult in the security of the Union for which he pleaded in life, since sealed with so much precious blood. But his words abide with us. Liberty and Union. The Union has survived its trial; Liberty may have its trial next; the liberty which rests on local self-government, the unim- paired sovereignty of the states, as the fathers of the country founded them a hun- dred years ago. Centralization means despotism. History teaches that lesson on a thousand pages. The men of a hundred years ago well understood it, and gave us a system of general and local sovereignty, the best and wisest the world has ever seen. The danger of the past was in the states against the Union; the danger of the future may be in the Uuion against the states. Union and Liberty -- the emphasis is Webster's, not mine-they cannot be divided; they are the twin children of the revolution, to live or to die together. Hear to-day the voice of the historic dead -' Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable.'
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And what do the voices of the century demand to-day of you, the reigning gen- eration of Madison, for the future of the land? Another generation, worthy of them whose descendants you are; fitted to carry on the work so well begun a hun- dred years ago, the great experiment ot man's capacity to rule himself; an experi- ment only for an educated and elevated people. Some short weeks ago, I sat in this room and heard many of the fearful problems of life, readily solved by the warm hearts and enthusiastic imaginations of the young. It were little to say that it was pleasant to listen; it was full of hope. The future may well be trusted to a generation so educated and disciplined. O, si sic omnes. The education of the young; not partial or imperfect or fragmentary education, but full and thor- ough intellectual, moral and religious culture is the great debt of the present to the future; the solution of all our political problems. You have reason to be proud of your schools and of the University. Men of Madison, you owe it to your country not to uphold these merely, but to see to it year by year, that each year's culture of your children rises above the year's before. You will so add more glory to the second Centenary, than if you were the heroes of a hundred battle fields.
"This is truly a woman's celebration, and gives me a license. Women of Mad- ison, what can you do for the future? More than men may, perhaps, by playing well your part of womanhood. The institution of institutions, the seed of all civ- ilization, depends mainly on you; home, the true sphere and glory of womanhood. There are women who disdain the duties of your sex, and aspire to ours. It is an exchange of glory for shame. True glory is in duty. True shame is in failure of duty. What can you, women, give to the world? Pure, refined and happy homes. What can you give to the future? Brave boys and chaste girls; a virtuous and intelligent generation. Woman's true jewels are her children. Woman is the first teacher. Send your boys and girls to what college you may, their mothers are their first professors. Her lessons are the more impressive and enduring. Her early influence goes more to the character of the young, than all the formal teach- ings which follow. Woman's true dignity is at home. Men see a halo of glory around the gray hairs of her, who has played well her part of mother, never seen in the most illustrious of her own sex. Oh woman, give to the future virtuous and disciplined children; and not they only, the nation will arise and call you blessed. For in the Christian homes of the world, woman rocks the cradle of the future.
"Something too much of all this. He would be a stern preacher who could look on this day, on this congregation, and reprove the world of folly. It is not easy for me to-night to feel quite sure at which end of the century I am standing.
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The Centennial dead seem risen from the dust of the century. The scene is so enchanting that it is easily seen it is woman's work. No fear of disloyalty need intrude here. There is not a man among us, of any state or country, of any poli- tics or age, who is not longing to-night to take the red, white and blue close to his heart. This delightful scene will be long remembered. Even when most of ns shall have passed away, the little ones of 1875 will say of this ante-Centennial celebration: Wisconsin's
"·Capital had gathered then Her beauty and her chivalry; and bright The lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men. A thousand hearts beat happily, and when Music arose with its voluptuous swell, Soft eyes looked love to eyes that spake again, And all went merry as a marriage bell.'"
The tableau which followed was our grand "Old Abe," the winged veteran of many a battle field, mounted on his perch. He stood in the most dignified posture during Col. MAYERS po- etic address to him, but though he could gaze at the sun, and brave the roar of cannon, he drooped his head as if scarcely worthy of the Colonel's eulogy. The last tableau portrayed the moment when LA FAYETTE offered his services to WASHINGTON. A finer blending of color in the magnificent dresses of the guests assembled in the drawing room, or more graceful attitudes of the company welcoming the young French officer, could hardly have been improvised. The scene of beauty and brightness will linger long in memory. As had been promised, Col. SLAUGHTER, who was a personal friend of THOMAS JEFFERSON, appeared in the dress of that framer of our Independence, and gave us an inter- esting description of the man and his home, which, by the kind- ness of the Colonel, we are enabled herewith to publish:
Monticello is the eastern terminus of the Southwest mountain of Virginia, and from it is presented a panorama of mountain, dale and river of unequalled beauty.
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Not the least interesting feature is the University, founded and nurtured through the influence of Mr. JEFFERSON. It was the dream of his youth, the pride of his manhood, and the pet of his old age. Mountains in all ages have been deemed holy places and the scenes of great events. On Mount Ararat rested the Ark, the means and emblem of human salvation. On Mount Moriah, Abraham was com- manded to sacrifice his son, emblematic of a still greater sacrifice. From Mount Sinai was promulgated the law of the Most High. From Mount Pisgah the en- raptured eye beheld the land flowing with milk and honey. The sermon on the Mount was preached in love to a fallen race. The Savior of mankind was trans- figured on a Mount, and yet from another he ascended to heaven. The lovers of poesy and of song pay their homage at Parnassus, and the disciples of liberty make pilgrimages to Monticello. In mind, manner and person, THOMAS JEFFER- SON was the most accomplished man I ever saw. His mind was far-reaching, all- embracing, almost intuitive, and struggled to accomplish what no mind ever did, to grasp all the sciences; hence he was in many things more superficial than pro- found; but in his knowledge of the genius and character of his countrymen, and of the governmental institutions adapted to their character, in short, as an Amer- ican statesman, he was the first man of his day. In stature he was about six feet two inches in height, of perfectly developed form, and might have served as a model for the statue of Apollo. His eyes were blue, his hair light, slightly tinged with red, and his whole face beamed with cheerfulness, that badge of a gen- tleman, while his conversation was fascinating, brilliant and instructive. His step was elastic, his movements graceful, blending ease with dignity, and his whole manner cordial and affectionate. With his sanguine, bilious temperament, and his enthusiastic love of liberty, it is not wonderful that while Minister to France during the French revolution, where he was admired and feted by the sarans, the literati, and especially by the illuminati of the gay and voluptuous city of Paris, he should have become tinctured with red republicanismi, that moral pestilence which swept over that devoted country, destroying most that was valuable and profaning all that was sacred. He returned to America fully imbued with French philosophy, French politics and French manners. The contagion spread with won- derful rapidity throughout our country, until the people were nearly evenly divided between those who sympathized with the French and those who sympathized with the English. Nothing but the firmness and the wisdom with which the greatest of all great men, GEORGE WASHINGTON, guided the ship of state, enabled us to escape those whirlpools of anarchy and despotism which threatened to engulf Eu- ropean states. Mr. JEFFERSON himself, in after years, when president of the United States, alluded in a semi-apologetic tone, in his inaugural message, to the
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excitement under which he had labored, by saying ' during the throes and convul- sions of the old world, during the agomizing spasms of infuriated man, seeking through blood and slaughter his long lost liberty, it is not wonderful that the agi- tation of the billows should have reached this distant and peaceful shore.' He was the first statesman who taught the inherent and inalienable right of all men to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; the first to advocate the emanci- pation of the slaves; the first to discover the great secret of perpetuating American freedom by a division of power, in such a maimer as to bring the government to each man's door. He taught the sovereignty of the people and their right to self government. He practiced what he taught, and no man mingled more freely with them in all their social relations. He died full of years and honors, and was buried at his beautiful residence, Monticello, and when I was there last a single marble slab covered the grave."
Those in costume were now called to the senate chamber and arranged for presentation to Lady and Gen. WASHINGTON. This ceremony was a charming feature of the evening. On a slightly raised dais stood Lady W., and by her side her husband. The personages presented appeared in the following order, as nearly as remembered, and if any are omitted, it is owing to the bewil- dering brilliancy of the pageant:
"THOMAS JEFFERSON "-personated by Col. SLAUGHTER.
"Mr. and Mrs. SAMUEL ADAMS "- by Gen. and Mrs. ATWOOD.
"Mr. and Mrs. JOHN ADAMS"-by Gen. SMITH and Mrs. THORP.
" Mrs. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS"-by Mrs. H. P. HALL.
"Minister VON BORKEL and daughter "-by Col. and Mrs. KEYES.
" Mrs. MADISON "- by Mrs. ABEL DUNNING.
"Baron STEUBEN "-by Dr. INGMAN. Mrs. INGMAN bore a name not understood.
"Lady CATHERINE DUER "-by Miss SCHLEY.
"Miss CHEW "- by Miss NELLY SCHLEY.
"Marquis de LA FAYETTE " -by Mr. CABANNE.
"Mrs. BINGHAM"-by Miss ATWOOD.
" Mrs. JOHN JAY"-by Miss KITTY ATWOOD.
"Mrs. CHARLES CARROLL "- by Mrs. TRUMAN BIRD.
"Bishop WHITE"-by Dr. VILAS.
"Capt. WHITTLESEY"-by Mr. C. N. GREGORY.
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Miss FULLER's name was not heard, and, it may be, others have escaped memory.
After the dance (the Lancers) by those in costume, the com- pany were most agreeably surprised by the sound of the piano, touched by the skillful fingers of Mrs. OLE BULL, and the floor was cleared for the Minuet. Soon Madam STAINES, adorned with her natural crown of glory, and her daughter, Mrs. CRAM, who had anticipated the flight of time by a very becoming transformation of dress, appeared leading out in andante measures the stately steps of the time-honored dance. Its intricate but smooth, undn- lating movements enabled one to appreciate the remark of a French writer, who exclaims, " Alas! life is too short to master the mysteries of the Minuet."
Many thanks are due these obliging ladies for giving us this sweet glimpse of the past, and enabling this generation to ob- serve how calmly our ancestors took their pleasures, while from it a lesson of modesty and dignity may be taught many a mod- ern lover of the terpsichorean art. The remainder of the enter- tainment was relinquished to the dancers of all ages, while many retired satiated with the crowded enjoyments of the hours already past. Too little perhaps has been said of the court dresses worn by both gentlemen and ladies-in one word, they were grand and glittering. Our own reflection is, that we have improved upon our ancestors, by simplicity of adornment, and especially that gentlemen's dress now far excels that of " Auld Lang Syne," when SAMUEL PEPYS "ripped the gold lace off his wife's wedding petticoat to trim his new suit." The effect of lower limbs unclothed, save by silk hose, is to remind one of the biped fowl and suggests too a feeble foundation for the flowing and richly dight upper garments, surmounted by the o'ershad- owing wig. Our eye may be at fault, but our Apollo wears a full
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suit of black broadcloth. Thus has passed our long anticipated July celebration, and we feel assured it will be long cherished in memory. As a fitting finale, guests from Milwaukee and elsewhere were refreshed. last evening, with an excursion at sun- set and by moonlight on a lake which has scarcely a rival this side of Como-
" In those twin boats, unknown of yore, On winding lake or rivers wide, That ask no aid of sail or oar, Nor fear the force of wind and tide."
MRS. J. D. BUTLER, Secretary W. S. C. C.
SECOND MEETING AT BELOIT.
THE CENTENNIAL OF BUNKER HILL -HOW THE LADIES OF BELOIT IIONORED IT.
The one hundredth anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill was celebrated in Beloit with due enthusiasm. The selection of Opera Hall for this entertainment was a happy thought, it being by far the best adapted of any room in the city for such a dis- play. On entering it visitors were at once struck with the beau- tiful arrangement and cheerful appearance of the entire hall, and upon close inspection every detail was found to bear careful scrutiny and each department to have some well defined relation to the general plan of a congratulatory celebration of one of the marked events in the great Revolution which secured our Nation lasting peace and prosperity. A multitude of rare works of art, Revolutionary relies, and other curious and costly things were
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displayed around the room in very attractive manner; over the platform were hung two ancient swords crossed upon each other, surrounded by shields, wreath and epanlets and the bird of wis- dom perched above them all, significant of peace and good will between the two great nations which a hundred years ago met with swords nnsheathed. In the corner beyond was one of the most attractive features of all. Across the corner, midway be- tween floor and ceiling were the words, "International Exhibi- tion," in living green, with back ground of white, with the date also in green, above, "1775, June 17, 1875." Directly over this hung a United States flag, bullet rent and battle stained (it was carried by Col. CRANE's regiment in the late war), its folds now resting peacefully upon those of an English flag at the right and a Norwegian flag at the left. Beyond the latter hung the handsome banner of Ireland, at the extreme left the German colors, and at the extreme right a perfect specimen of the stars and stripes. In proximity to this interesting collection of bunting, were displayed pictures of the Centennial Exhibition buildings, a certificate of Centennial stock, and a collection of small flags and flowers. In the corner beneath was an attractive exhibition of choice articles from different parts of the world, and in front stood a table upon which a variety of Centennial medals were displayed for sale. Delicions refresh- ments were served at numerons tables, the charming waitresses, attired in white ruffled aprons and fancy caps with red and blue ribbons, attending to every want in the most fascinating manner. About half-past nine o'clock Mayor DAVIS announced the liter- ary portion of the programme, introducing Rev. G. S. HUBBS as the first speaker. Mr. HUBBS made a few very apt and facetions remarks somewhat at the expense of the legal fraternity who had been invited to talk but declined, and called attention to the
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