USA > Wisconsin > Centennial records of the women of Wisconsin > Part 14
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selected the name of Mrs. L. E. EDGERTON for inscription, upon the memorial shrine, among the names of other women of Wis- consin preeminent for " good works." After many interesting gatherings, they conclude the account of their work with the following admirable suggestion: It has been proposed to give, during the remainder of this centennial year, a series of enter- tainments partaking of a musical and literary as well as social character, in which historical reminiscences and the exhibition of century-old relics will be marked features. Cherishing the historic associations which cluster around the beginning of the century just completed, feeling a loyal and loving pride in the progress and prosperity which have marked each decade of our national existence-a progress and prosperity which have excited the wonder and the admiration of the peoples of the old world-and gratefully recognizing the mercy of the God of Nations, through which we have been brought, a happy and united people, to the dawn of this glad centennial year, the club stands ready to engage, as opportunity offers, in any good and patriotic work which will evince the attachment of its members to their beloved country in this its year of jubilee.
Mrs. G. W. WASHBURN, Secretary of "Ludies Centennial Club."
LEGISLATIVE PARTY.
February 17th witnessed one of the pleasantest parties ever given in the state capitol. It was gotten up under the special management of the ladies, wives of the members of the legisla- ture, assisted by the ladies of Madison, and was a " Leap Year Leg- islative Centennial Party." The following persons constituted the
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Committee of Arrangements :
Mrs. Gov. LUDINGTON, Milwaukee. Mrs. Senator WELCH, Baraboo.
Mrs. Lt. Gov. PARKER, Pleasant Valley. Mrs. Senator FLINT, Menomonee.
Mrs. DAVID ATWOOD, Madison.
Mrs. Speaker FIFIELD, Ashland.
Mrs. Prof. PARKINSON, Madison. Mrs. A. S. SLOAN, Beaver Dam.
Mrs. Senator FARR, Kenosha. Mrs. EDWARD SEARING, Milton.
Mrs. Senator HUDD, Green Bay.
Mrs. R. M. STRONG, Baraboo.
Mrs. Senator TREAT, Monroe.
Mrs. L. T. PULLEN, Evansville.
Mrs. A. J. TURNER, Portage.
The leading objects of the party were to add to the state fund for the procurement of the "Commemorative Work of Art," which the ladies are having prepared as the representative offer- ing of the women of Wisconsin at the centennial exhibition, and to have a splendid social reunion of the ladies and gentlemen of the state. The objects were patriotic and worthy ones, and most nobly did the ladies having the management in charge execute their plans. The commercial metropolis, the capital and various cities and towns of the state were represented, by their intelli- gent and graceful ladies, and their able and gallant gentlemen. A platform was laid over the clerk's desk for the music, and the floor spread with canvass for dancing. The ground work for the decoration committee of Madison ladies having thus been pre- pared, they energetically prosecuted their labors, till the room bloomed with beauty and brightened with patriotic emblems un- der their skillful hands. The desks of the speaker and clerk were covered with the American flag, the gas fixtures festooned with evergreens. On the front of the gallery above were ranged beautiful flowering plants, and in the center, richly wreathed with evergreens and flowers, was a large portrait of GEORGE WASHINGTON. Directly opposite, on the gallery at the west end of the assembly chamber, was draped with national colors the word "Centennial," in large red letters, with "1776" and
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"1876 " at either end just above, and in the center the U. S. and state flags, with a handsome "trophy," consisting of stacked arms hung with military accoutrements, with a drum at the base on one side, and a stuffed American eagle at the other.
The following named persons acted as committee of reception : Messrs. H. D. BARRON, W. W. REED, THOMAS WALL, P. Q. BOY- DEN, ED. KEOGH, J. W. HOYT and Mayor PINNEY, who presented the guests on their arrival to the lady committee of arrange- ments, who received them with grace and dignity.
BACH's superb band from Milwaukee struck up inspiring strains of music soon after 8 o'clock, at first from the platform over the clerk's desk, and afterwards from the floor in front.
SHORT SPEECHIES.
At about 8: 30 P. M., Senator T. R. HUDD and Hon. DAVID ATWOOD, who had been requested jointly to preside, with Gov. LUDINGTON, and GEORGE W. PECK, Esq., of the La Crosse Sun, took seats in the speaker's desk. Mr. ATwooD called the audi- ence to order, and remarked that we had assembled in one of the many preliminary gatherings that were now taking place through- out the country, in the interest of the grand centennial exhibi- tion. This meeting was in aid of the women's movement, and it mingled the social with the business element in a pleasant man- ner. The figures 1776 and 1876 indicated that our nation has existed one hundred years. When we reflect for a moment on what we were at the beginning and what we are at the end of the first century, it is certain that the coming exhibition will be one of vast magnitude, interest and profit to the world. He now had the pleasure of introducing His Excellency, Gov. LUDINGTON, who would propose a sentiment appropriate to this pleasant occasion.
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Gov. LUDINGTON, who was greeted with applause, rose and said:
" Ladies and Gentlemen: I can assure you that it is very difficult to find a proper sentiment for this occasion, but, as I entered the hall this evening, I saw the figures 1776, which remind us of the first year of American Independence, and 1876, which remind us that this is the centennial year. I therefore propose as a sentiment :
"1776-The time that tried men's souls. 1876-The time that tries men's and women's soles-keeping step to the music of the Union."
The president then said he had the pleasure of introducing GEORGE W. PECK, of La Crosse, the wit of Wisconsin, who would respond to this sentiment. Mr. PECK spoke as follows:
"One hundred years ago, to-day, there lived a man who could not tell a lie. That man is before you at this moment (hesitating, and then pointing to the pic- ture of WASHINGTON). Yet, how times have changed in one hundred years. Then we had a continental congress; now we have a congress that don't amount to a continental. The times that tried men's souls. Who does not remember WASHINGTON, with his little army, barefooted, hungry and suffering, in mid- winter, crossing Lake Monona on an ice-boat, rather than build a pontoon bridge, and submit to the exactions of the Potter law; how he entered Trenton, Dodge county, his path strewn with flowers, is familiar to all. How it makes the blood tingle in the veins to think that we are on sacred ground. 'T was on this very spot that Captain JOHN SMITH rescued POCAHONTAS from the Regency, where she was going to be bound out to do housework, and bore her in triumph to Osh- kosh, where she settled down and became the master of a state grange, raised a large family that is now scattered over the country holding positions in front of tobacco stores. How pleasant it is to step into the Historical Society and gaze upon the identical hatchet with which WASHINGTON, a hundred years ago, did his logging on Chippewa river, and never said-'dam it.' Do we forget the women of that early day? Not at all. The picture of MARTHA WASHINGTON carrying to Yorktown GEORGE's dinner in a little tin pail, when he didn't have time to go home, is familiar to all. We do not forget their hardships. When the wild Indians threw young hyson overboard in Boston harbor, so they could not pay back a drawing of tea they had borrowed, they buckled on their life-pre- servers and swam for it. One hundred years ago, this eagle (referring to Old
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Abe) was a humming bird. Now he has grown bald in the service of his coun- try, and is an ornament to society. But, speaking of times that tried men's souls, I am reminded that there is a little cotillion on the carpet even now, that must be attended to. In the short ten minutes alloted for this impromptu response to the sentiment, it has been impossible to allude to all that has occurred in the last hun- dred years. Trusting to the intelligence of the assembled beauty and chivalry to make good any omissions, or to correct misstatements if any have been made, let us hope that those present may have a grand reunion at the real Centennial at Philadelphia the coming summer. Let all respond to the sentiment,
"'On with the dance, let joy be unconfined.'""
This, thrown off in PECK's inimitable manner, was received with repeated hearty laughter, and with applause at the close.
PATRIOTIC SONGS.
Mr. ATWOOD then remarked that it gave him pleasure to in- troduce to the andienee Mrs. H. M. PAGE, of this city, who would favor it with a song. Mrs. PAGE was then escorted to a platform on the Speaker's desk by Dr. J. W. Horr, appearing in costume as the "Daughter of the Regiment," a short dress of red, with white bands and cuffs, with a red cap banded with gilt, the French tri-color- blue, white and red-worn as a mantle on her shoulders, and equipped with a canteen and drum, and sang, in French, two verses of the Marseillaise Hymn, in a clear and spirited manner, beating a tattoo occasionally on her drum, whereat "Old Abe " flapped his wings and gave his approval. She was very warmly applauded and encored, to which she re- sponded by singing three verses of the "Star Spangled Banner." The accompaniment, by BACH's band, was most admirably played, so as to greatly aid, not overpower the singer. A French-born Brown county member of the assembly expressed himself as having his soul stirred within him by the Marseillaise
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Hymn, so identified with French patriotism, which he had not heard since he left his native soil, years ago.
Mrs. PAGE executed her part of the programme in a manner that gave complete satisfaction to all present, and she was highly complimented by many of the distinguished party.
On conclusion of the singing, the president remarked that he congratulated the lady managers of this party upon their com- plete success, socially and pecuniarily. There was yet a long programme of a most interesting character to be executed, and, from the appearance of those present, they would doubtless per- form it well, and at the close of the entertainment he was quite sure that all present would feel proud to congratulate them- selves that they had participated in this Legislative Centennial party under the management of the ladies. Dancing was now in order.
THE CENTENNIAL AT GENEVA LAKE.
[From the Geneva Herald.]
" The ladies of Geneva have been waiting for the time to come in which they could respond most effectively to the call for Centennial work and representation. That time seems to have arrived, and Thursday afternoon, February 17th, at 2 o'clock P. M., a large and enthusiastic gathering occurred at the Seminary Parlors. Miss MARTHA PEET, of Beloit, was present and addressed the meeting, explaining to the ladies what had already been done in the state and what is pro- posed to be done, and also the necessity for a club organization, in order to ensure state recognition, and representation at the Centennial. The interest in the state is widening, and has never been so great as at present. The ladies in the larger towns have formed successful clubs and have already reaped great benefits there- from. Geneva is one of the oldest towns in the state, and does not propose to be outdone by other places, and the enthusiastic results of the first effort are a guar- anty for future success. The following is the plan of organization for Centennial
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Clubs: A president is selected; 37 vice presidents are chosen to represent the 37 states; 13 ladies, chosen from the oldest settlers, to represent the original states, and 11 young ladies, the territories.
Responding to the remarks of Miss PEET, the ladies formed an organization. Over thirty immediately joined the club by the payment of one dollar; we hope to increase our present number to one hundred. The proceeds of the club are to be appropriated towards the Memorial Shrine. The ladies unanimously decided to make Feburary 22, 1876, a memorable day in Geneva. There will be a grand MARTHA WASHINGTON Tea-party given on that evening at WALKER's Hall under the auspices of the Club."
On that anniversary day, flags were flying from dwelling houses, stores and hotels, and even the steamers on the lake shore, held to their moorings by anchors of ice. At noon all the bells of the village rung in concert, and the little boys, catching the enthusiasm, paraded the streets carrying at the head of their procession the emblematical hatchet. Within doors, housewives were busy in preparing for the entertainment of the evening. WALKER's Hall, the place of assembling, was crowded at an early honr. A goodly number of the people were dressed in repre- sentative costumes of " ye ancient time," and among the other attractions were an " Old Folks Choir," an old fashioned supper, the table being spread with linen that had seen service in colo- nial days, and was adorned with antiquated china and pewter ware that had an equally ancient origin; an old style kitchen with its antique appointments, besides more modern attractions. At nine o'clock the company were called to order and Mrs. THORP's Centennial hymn for that date was sung. Prayer was offered by the Rev. C. A. WILLIAMS. A sketch of the life of Gen. WASHINGTON was read by Rev. ROBERT WOLSLEY, and an original poem prepared for the occasion, recited by its author, Hon. JAMES SIMMONS. The assembly then united in singing " America." The local paper in alluding to the occasion, says it
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was the largest and most successful gathering ever held in Geneva.
The next public meeting of the club was held at the house of Mrs. S. P. FARRINGTON. March 11th, Mrs. Judge C. M. BAKER presiding. An original address was read by the Secretary, Mrs. Rev. E. G. Miner, also Mrs. THORP's address to the ladies of Wisconsin.
Letters were presented that had been received from the officers of the state committee, from which we learned that the pictures for the doors of the " Memorial Shrine," were to be painted by Miss HARRIET E. WARNER. The painting of minute landscape pictures, of such a shape as to be placed in a setting of ebony and silver must require peculiar artistic taste and skill. Mrs. Judge WYMAN SPOONER's name was offered as suitable to be en- rolled with the representative names of the honorable pioneer women of Walworth county.
In summing up our work, as our records are called for, we find that we can report $100 raised for the state fund. The door panels of the beautiful memorial shrine, painted by a lady artist of our club, four pictures, sent to the artists portfolio, from pupils of Lake Geneva Seminary, to be exhibited upon the art easel from Wisconsin. A history of our young ladies semi- nary has also been furnished by request to be included with the sketches of the private educational institutions of the state. Thus we feel, that though late in manifesting our interest, we have at last a creditable Centennial record.
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN MILWAUKEE.
There was a large gathering at Quenten's Park on the evening of the 22d of July, to enjoy the concert given under the auspices of the Women's Centennial Association. The Park was brilli- antly illuminated, and presented a most attractive scene. BACH'S orchestra and the choruses of the musical society performed a number of excellent selections, vocal and instrumental. Between the parts of the musical programme, Hon. MATT H. CARPENTER, being introduced by Hon. P. V. DEUSTER, advanced to the front, and commenced the speech of the evening, from which we make a few extracts :
" It is the impulse of our nature, from boyhood up, to commemorate all important events in life; and in illustration of this he spoke in a happy vein of the love that is in us of celebrating our birthdays with candies and cakes and our weddings with tin, crystal and silver, those who live long enough, with gold and diamonds. The same disposition accompanies us through life, and extends to the commemo- ration of leading events in history. Of this we have an instance supplied by the Jewish nation, whose customs, feasts and fasts, handed down pure and unchanged from the remotest generations have done more than any other human agency to preserve the unity of the race as we see it to-day. The crying want of America is nationality. Most of us live for ourselves more than we do for our country; we are too devoted to selfish ends, to our wives and our children, to our business, to money making. This is a selfish age, and we need a change. It is true reform we need to stand by the springs of our origin as a nation, to recall what our fathers did, to cherish the seed they sowed, and to preserve and nourish the insti- tutions they have so firmly and wisely planted. In 1620, a few immigrants landed on a snow covered rock in New England. In 1875, we see descended from them this great union of states, the growth and fruit of that little colony. Thirteen colonies in 1776 declared their independence of foreign control, in order to enjoy civil and political liberty, taking up the sword against the most powerful nation then existing, whose drum beat circled the civilized world. It was against such a
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power that our fathers fought. On the 4th of July, 1776, after more than a month spent in deliberation, congress declared that the thirteen colonies ought to be and were free states. That was the birthday of American liberty, which is to be celebrated next year. These states started with 4.000,000 of people, stretching along the Atlantic coast, clinging to the borders of the ocean, as though timid of losing the means of escape from unknown misfortunes to come, and we have seen them flowing in a steady stream into the west as far as the Mississippi, across the Mississippi, and at last to the Pacific coast, and then stealing back gently to the Atlantic again. He regarded the United States as having a mission more import- ant than has ever been confided to any people to accomplish, a mission that in- cludes the elevation of our own race to the highest pitch of human happiness and civilization, and sending floods of light into the deepest fastnesses and dungeons of the old world. With such destinies as these before us, is it not right that we should desire to preserve feelings of unity and fraternity? Indeed the necessity for it is greater than in older countries, such as in Great Britain, in France and Ger- many, where the people are to a great extent one in origin, language and customs, and a feeling of unity and patriotism is not only forever upon them by the cir- cumstances by which they are surrounded, but not unfrequently becomes a violent prejudice. This he contrasted in a very forcible manner with the condition of cit- izenship in the United States, showing that here we have the best and worst of nationality, French, German, English, Scotch, Irish, Scandinavian and all others, even Asiatics and that the task before us is to foster a feeling of unity among all these diverse elements and to weld them into a common brotherhood as Ameri- cans, not only in name, but in hopes, aspiration and material works. Nearly every nationality was represented there that evening. Very many of them had come from the land of their birth, bringing with them the recollections and at- tachments of childhood, to lay them upon the altar of American freedom and nationality. Then he considered the diversity of climate of this highly favored land, and the preponderance of emigrants of certain nationalities in different sec- tions, and went on to say that it is our manifest destiny to mould all these into one common nationality, so that, as time rolls on, the distinctions of race shall close, the word Yankee, Irish, German and so forth be forgotten in our vocabu- lary, and the whole people from the Atlantic to the Pacific shall come to regard themselves as Americans and Americans only. This brought him to the great oc- casion we are about to celebrate, namely, the hundreth birthday anniversary of the states which he characterized as the most notable event the human race has ever been called upon to witness He said it is eminently fitting that the celebra- tion shall take visible shape in Philadelphia, which may of all places be most fitly
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chosen for the purpose, within the shadow of Liberty Hall and the sound of that old bell which rang out
"The first glad tidings of liberty."
" This centennial is not a mere question of gunpowder and drinking whisky, but there are great ends of economy, patriotism and future prosperity tied up with its proper celebration, and it behooves the state of Wisconsin not to be forgetful of her duty in the premises. Then he addressed himself to the financial aspect of the question, showing how necessary it is for us to be well represented even from an economic standpoint, leaving out altogether considerations of pride and patri- otism: particularly he dwelt upon the impetus likely to be given to immigration of the best class, by the centennial exhibition and the desirability on that ground of our taking the place to which we are justly entitled. * * He then spoke en- couragingly of the labors of the ladies of Milwaukee and paid them a compliment for the work they had so creditably begun by the fete in which they were partici- pating, and prayed that their efforts would be crowned with the success they mer- ited. He hoped that the few words he had uttered would have some little effect in spurring on the cause, and expressed the belief that his auditors would not, when the proper time came, shrink from doing their duty as citizens of Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin."
The honorable gentleman was rewarded for his effort with loud and repeated applause.
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY.
[From the Racine Journal, Feb., 1876.]
The Centennial celebration at Racine, which occurred upon the 22d of February, 1876, was an occasion of marked interest, and one which will not soon be forgotten by those who had the pleasure of participating in its varied and high-toned exercises.
Nature was graciously pleased to grant us one of the most pleasant days for the celebration, and the ladies vied with each other in the culinary art, and spread their tables with such
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viands as were calculated to tempt an epicure, besides adding their pleasant smiles and welcome greeting. The New England kitch- en was an entertaining feature. GEORGE and MARTIIA WASHING- TON received their friends in the dining room, going back to the days of republican simplicity before a room was set apart for receptions, so that whilst the grave and dignified GEORGE and the stately MARTHA were shaking hands at one end of the room, at the other the invited guests were getting away with a vast amount of good old-fashioned New England fare. Mr. R. ADAMS represented GEORGE WASHINGTON, whilst the part of MARTHIA was well sustained by Miss DOOLITTLE. HARRY STE- VENS represented Brother JONATHAN.
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon the ladies held a meeting - Mrs. Senator DOOLITTLE in the chair-and were first addressed by Miss MARTHA PEET, of Beloit, giving in a elear and concise manner the objects the women of Wisconsin had in view in their present work. She also gave a short bnt well defined history of the enterprise from its first inception, at Philadelphia, until the present time.
Mrs. DOOLITTLE then presented Mrs. THORP with the scroll of membership of the Racine Centennial Club, to which Mrs. THORP briefly responded, and then addressed the ladies and gen- tlemen present as follows :
The character of the Hero whose birthday we commemorate is, I conceive, a more priceless boon to this generation, than the treasures of wealth we gather and exhibit as evidences of our material prosperity. As we contemplate the dig- nity and beauty of the man, who in harmony of physical, mental and moral development has no peer in the annals of American History, our highest aspi- rations are awakened and kindled, and we follow where he leads, to the infinite source of light and life. The grandeur and simplicity of true dignity, as por- trayed in the character and bearing of GEORGE WASHINGTON, is a copy set by the Divine Master, which through the century remains unwritten. Our youth are
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taught to emulate and imitate, but none have attained to the serene heights which where in his royal possession. The model still exists for the new century, as complete as in the former day. The vision stands revealed to our view, envel- oped in the spiritual atmosphere of its own purity and loveliness. That unwaver- ing firmness, which conquered and controlled, resting upon its own foundation, was as firmly rooted in his moral as his physical being, and is as well suited to the aspirations of womanhood as of manhood. In this view of the subject, we are to-day especially interested. Anniversaries are not only occasions of joyful reunion, but should be and naturally are, times for reflection - standpoints of advantage, from whence we review the past and glance toward the future. Joy and sorrow touch and vibrate upon the heart chords of humanity in rapid succession, harmonies and discords mingle and swell to a richer chorus the grand diapason of human life. The period of time now emphasized upon the pages of our historic calender, is one of marked interest. The auguries of great changes are wont to come in cheerful garb, bearing hope and promise to those who await them. New things mean better things, as a rule, our hopes taking counsel of our desires. To-day the pulses of our nation's life beat so heavily, while its nerve currents are so rapid and intense that we are warned of approaching danger.
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