USA > Wisconsin > Centennial records of the women of Wisconsin > Part 6
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represent, who are requested by the National Committee to occupy a place, and bear a part in the forthcoming International Exhibition.
MRS. J. G. THORP,
Chairman of Woman's Centennial Executive Committee. MADISON, Wis.
Mrs. JOHN BASCOM, Secretary.
The following response was received from the governor of the state:
STATE OF WISCONSIN, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, MADISON, Feb. 26, 1875.
To MRS. J. G. THORP, MRS. J. C. GREGORY AND MRS. JOHN BASCOM, Officers of the Woman's Centennial Executive Committee.
LADIES: - I have received a copy of your appeal to the legislature for aid in your effort to secure to the women of Wisconsin that honorable position which the National Committee have invited you to occupy in the forthcoming Interna- tional Exhibition.
History concedes that the cause of the American Colonies could not have with- stood the hardships of a long and exhausting war without the patriotic self denial and moral heroism exhibited by the women of the Revolution. I am equally convinced that those blessings of free government we now enjoy as the fruit of that contest, a hundred years ago, can never be preserved from the perils of a prosperous peace without the moral and refining influences of the family circle, and the inspiring example of those noble and virtuous wives and mothers of our land, who have especially in their charge the education of the young and the care of the old. With such a responsibility and mission. I cannot doubt the right of the women of Wisconsin to the recognition you seek for them in the forthcom- ing celebration of our National Birthday, and you have the assurance of my hearty sympathy and cooperation in your application for public aid, to further that noble purpose, and the small amount asked for, I hope, will be generously ac- corded. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. R. TAYLOR.
The legislature of Wisconsin appropriated the sum of $1,000 for the use of the Woman's State Centennial Executive Com- mittee, which had been in the meantime organized. This com- mittee held weekly meetings, issued formulas for auxiliary asso-
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ciations, and recommended the inauguration of centennial clubs throughout the state. The following is the
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE FIRST CENTENNIAL CLUB,
Under the Auspices of the Executive Committee, at the Capital City.
In response to invitations issued by Mrs. J. G. THORP, chair- man of the Woman's State Centennial Committee, a large con- course of ladies and gentlemen assembled at her residence last evening, March 30, to organize a Woman's Centennial Club. The company were animated and enthusiastic, each face wearing a bright and interested expression; conversation had an easy flow, because there was a theme to talk about more inspiring than the compliments and generalities which form the beginning, middle and end of topics at a fashionable party. After moving from room to room of this "ideal home," as one lady expressed it, and admiring its graceful and harmonious appointments, the company was called to order by Gen. ATWOOD, of the National Centennial Commission, who imparted the enthusiasm which was no new fire in his own breast, by the following interesting and pertinent remarks:
" In behalf of the centennial commission, of which he was a member, he desired to express congratulations to the ladies for the evidences here presented, that the women of Wisconsin were awake to the importance of the grand event that is to take place in 1876, and he thanked them for the honor of being called upon to aid in the organization of a Woman's State Centennial Club. Our nation is approach- ing the close of the first hundred years of its existence; and it is known that ar- rangements are in progress for commemorating that event, by holding an interna- tional exposition in Philadelphia, the real homestead of the Union, where the nation was born, and where stands the old hall in which the immortal Decla- ration of Independence was signed, and where still hangs the old bell that pro-
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claimed liberty to the people. It is a fitting place and a fitting time for such an enterprise. Under a law of congress, a Centennial Commission was organized three years ago, consisting of representatives from each state and territory in the Union, to which was committed the duty of superintending the general arrange- ments for this exposition. From history, we learn that man was created before woman. It was soon found, no doubt, that he would prove a great failure if left alone; and woman was created as a helper. Ever since that time women have been found active and efficient coworkers in all great and good enterprises. Nothing of vital importance has transpired in the land, unless it received, in some way, the aid of women. Especially has this been the case in our own country. During the revolutionary war, the women took a prominent part. If they did not go into the field of battle, they encouraged their fathers, brothers, sweethearts and friends to do so; and they molded bullets from pewter ware, for them to use in fighting battles for freedom. In our late war, we all remember what efficient aid the women of the country rendered in saving the Union. It is reasonable to pre- sume that, but for the hearty cooperation of women, we should never have had in the first place a free republic here; and having obtained it, but for their aid the Union would have been broken up in the late struggle. During the first year of the labors of the National Centennial Commission, there was slow progress; the work was attended with many discouragements. While the enterprise impressed itself upon the members as one of immense magnitude, it was difficult to arouse the attention of the people generally to a proper sense of its importance. Previous to the meet- ing a year afterwards, the true spirit of the matter had been caught up by the women of Philadelphia, and an organization of noble and patriotic women had been effected in that city. The influence of this movement was at once felt in the commission; its members were stimulated and encouraged by it, and from that time excellent progress has been made in the noble work of preparation for the international exposition. No doubt is now entertained but this will prove the grandest event of the century, and the most complete exposition of the kind the world has ever known. The Yankee nation is proverbial for doing whatever it undertakes in a manner superior to that in which things of a like character have been done before. Our people feel that he who has the last story to tell has a de- cided advantage; and having the experience of other expositions before them, they will profit by it, and get up a better one than any that have preceded it. That such will be the case with our exposition in 1876, there can be no doubt. The influence of the Philadelphia women's organization has spread throughout the land; and now auxiliary organizations are in working order in many of the states; and the object of this meeting is to inaugurate a women's club for the
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state of Wisconsin; and there is abundant evidence before us that it will prove an auspicious beginning of a great work.
" Wisconsin has immense resources to present for exhibition, and she cannot afford to fail in having them represented. She must act: and there was now every reason to feel that proper action would be taken to give her a full represen- tation at Philadelphia. The legislature has provided for a State Board of Cen- tennial Managers, and the governor has appointed most excellent men upon it. It will organize next week, when it is hoped efficient work will be commenced. The women are aroused and at work, and success is assured. No state can boast of better women than Wisconsin; and there can be no fear but their department will be well filled. With their stimulus and aid to the men, Wisconsin will assume its proper place in the grand centennial exposition in 1876. In the next meeting of the National Commission, he should feel fully justified in reporting that such will be the case."
Gen. ATWOOD, apparently delighted that others were ready to help him bear the burden he had so long and bravely carried alone, then, by the request of Mrs. THORP, read the general plan drawn up by the Woman's State Committee, of which she is chairman. More than fifty persons, ladies and gentlemen, at once signed their names to these articles.
President BASCOM, of the State University, was then called on for remarks, which he made in his own graceful and fluent style.
Mrs. Prof. J. D. BUTLER then read the following paper, pre- pared by her husband, who was absent from town:
WOMAN'S RELATIONS TO THE CENTENARY OF INDEPENDENCE.
" A woman with a spoon can throw out faster than a man can throw in with a shovel." Some sage devised this old saw to express his astonishment at woman's having so much influence while wielding so little power. The same phenomenon has induced various nations to vote their ablest women witches, and hence to drown or burn them. From the same fact, influence is a maxi- mum where power is a minimum, some of us feel that most women who de- mand their rights are seeking what they have, like one looking around for his glasses when they are on his nose, or just above it. The truth is that men
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think, but women are inspired, and only those who are inspired can in- spire. Like the inspired book, they now, more than ever, have free course, and being themselves glorified, they are become the life of life. "I never yet saw the man, how wise, how noble, young, how rarely featured, but they will spell him backward, yea turn him inside out." America has done most for women, and women have done most for America. Woman discorered Amer- ica. The jewels of ISABELLA nerved the hand of COLUMBUS so that after en- deavors, often baffled, but still renewed, he " allured to brighter worlds and led the way." Five centuries before COLUMBUS, GUDRID had persuaded her hus- band, the Scandinavian Thorfin, to take her across the Atlantic and start the first settlement in Vinland. Eighteen wives and eleven maidens adventured to New England Plymouth among the hundred first comers thither. The planta- tion there, but for their presence, would have been a failure, as fifteen male colo- nies along our coast had already proved. All the married men would have died for lack of nursing, or at least of hasty pudding, and all the single men would have run away in quest of sweethearts. In establishing our independence also, women played no mean part. That independence was not declared by old bachelors, but by married men, who may be presumed to have acted under the - I will not say dietation - but rather the inspiration of their wives. Among all the signers of the immortal Declaration, the man of most mountainous will was JOHN ADAMS, But JOHN ADAMS clearly acted under feminine influence. His instruc- tions from his wife are still extant in black and white. Under date of the second of March this queen bade him do what he did on the fourth of July. She had just before berated him as a " spaniel, because having been so often spurned by Britiain, he would still fawn." A dozen years ago, our national existence was under the dread arbitrament of war. We are all witnesses how largely that life then owed its salvation to women. Who has forgotten their work in the Chris- tian and in the sanitary commissions? Young Unionists, also, like the old Con- tinentals, were invincible, because fighting for flags given them by hands more than angelic. Our centenary is to be the grand gathering together of all nations which Babel scattered. The hundred year feasts of the Romans were exclusive. No slave, no foreigner was allowed any part in them. All slaves who shall ap- proach our jubilee, will become free; all foreigners will find fraternization. But women shared in the Roman solemnity. As many maidens as young men joined in its choral songs and dances. Our need of women's aid is as much greater than the Roman's as our women have been lifted higher than theirs by our laws, our schools, our society, and by our religion. Thus, the logic of facts proves that our centennial commemoration will turn out deformed, unfinished, sent into this
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breathing world scarce half made up, if unaided by women. A womanless centenary, or one in which women are mere lookers on - its emblem is Eden without Eve, a poem, drama, or novel without any of her daughters- a year without springtime - a flower without fragrance - an altar without a God!
" But history shall still repeat itself. What American mothers have been in the dead past, their daughters will approve themselves in the living present, making the most of that one day that shall recall in the long lapse from youth to age, no other like itself. May they, one and all, survive our centenary, and then may theirs be the old age of the grape which wrinkles and sweetens into the raisin, till they shall have become themselves centenarian."
Much delightful and soul inspiring music was discoursed at intervals all the evening, by Mrs. OLE BULL and Mr. J. S. SMITH on the piano, and exquisite songs were listened to from Mrs. JOHN C. SPOONER, Mrs. OAKLEY, Miss CHITTENDEN, Mr. KUEHN and Mr. CHAS. PICKARD.
At half-past nine " the cup which cheers but not inebriates " and delicate refreshments were served. The good, old fashioned, patriotic hymn, " God Bless Our Native Land," lined off' in the good, old fashioned way, was sung with relish and spirit, and the company gradually dispersed with the universal feeling that the occasion had been one of delightful social union.
Thus has been inaugurated the First Women's Centennial Club, at the city of Madison, the capital of this state of our love and pride.
That this enterprise will succeed, and that gloriously, inciting the best and holiest inspirations and deeds of which woman is capable, no one who was present at the formation of this " Women's Centennial Club," can for a moment doubt.
Mrs. J. D. BUTLER, Secretary.
MADISON, March 31, 1875.
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The Secretary of the State Centennial Club, being requested to write to JOHN G. WHITTIER for a Centenary Ode, which could be set to music and sung at the monthly meetings of the Club, received the following letter:
" AMESBURY, 10, 4th Mo., 1875.
"MY DEAR MRS. BUTLER: - I feel honored by the request of thy letter in behalf of the Women's Centennial Club of the city of Madison, but I dare not promise to comply with it, as the state of my health and the imperative advice of my physician compel me to avoid engagements of this nature. But I cannot close my note without expressing my hearty sympathy with your movement. It is all important with the complete success of the great Centennial. Without the full and generous cooperation of woman, the Centennial would be " Adam without Eve," to use thy own fehcitous expression. I am very truly thy friend,
" JOHN G. WHITTIER."
SECOND SOCIAL REUNION.
The favorable auspices under which the Women's State Cen- tennial Club was inaugurated one month ago, at Mrs. J. G. THORP's, could hardly have been better seconded than they were Friday evening at the residence of Mrs. DAVID ATWOOD, Presi- dent of the Club.
Our association may congratulate itself upon the generous hospitality which has cradled the infancy of our enterprise, and admitted it to the penetralia of bright and cheerful homes. Perhaps, not even at the "house warming" of the General's spacions new residence, so fresh in the memory of all, was there a more brilliant assemblage of Madison's own citizens, while representatives from sister cities graced the occasion. Mrs. WRIGHT, President of the Beloit Club, Mrs. DAVIS, Treasurer, Mrs. INGERSOLL, Secretary, attended by Mrs. WATERMAN and Mrs. STOCKING of Beloit, and Miss SCHLEY of Milwaukee, hon-
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ored us by their presence, and though the crowded programme of arranged exercises did not admit of a public recognition of their kind favor, the State Club were individually most grate- ful for the fraternization thus granted.
A pleasant exchange of friendly greetings having passed, the large company were hushed to order by the enrapturing strains of music. Mr. J. S. SMITH, presiding at the instrument, played the prelude and accompaniment of M. KELLER's new Centennial song, " Heaven-born Freedom," Mrs. FRANK W. OAKLEY pro- nouncing its patriotic words in her thrilling tones, Miss KITTY CHITTENDEN, Messrs. KUEIN and PICKARD supplementing in full chorus.
Gen. ATWOOD then announced that he had, on that day, requested Mrs. THORP, Chairman of the Executive Committee, to prepare a report of what had already been accomplished in the state, and her son, Mr. JOSEPH THORP, read:
" The Women's State Centennial Committee have the honor to report as fol- lows: An increasing interest in the Centennial work throughout the state is the result with which we have to congratulate ourselves and those interested in our cause, after two months' active labor. We are in correspondence witli some fifty women in different localities, in reference to securing chairmen and the adoption of measures touching this interest. We have now on our list twenty-five names .of persons who have accepted the position of chairman, and are actively at work organizing clubs, and stimulating interest for an honorable representation at Philadelphia in 1876. We recognize a decided change in the character of our recent responses, when we compare them with those we received when we first started in this enterprise. We are much indebted for this change to the influence which the report of the first social meeting of our State Club produced. The social element must be aroused, if the women are to be enlisted. That is the sphere in which their best powers are fostered and cherished, and from that must emanate their most successful labors. Mrs. COLT of Milwaukee has accepted the position of chairman for that city. Mrs. W.M. P. LYNDE, the representative «woman of Wisconsin in public affairs, says: 'Mrs. COLT was delighted with the
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report of your club meeting, and feels that the enthusiasm manifested there must be contagious.' Miss PEET, Chairman of Beloit, says: 'I have the pleasure to report to you that our preparatory meeting yesterday was a success. We met in Temperance Hall, entering the door beneath a fine transparency -1776, CENTEN- NIAL, 1876. The hall was decorated with flags and portraits of our national heroes, mottoes, etc.' Miss PEET adds an enthusiastic account of their organiza- tion, fifty-two names being affixed to the constitution, and limits her number of members to one hundred, before gentlemen were invited to join, and her final estimate is at least five hundred members of the Beloit Club. A grand opening is announced for the 10th of May, in the Opera House, at which the State Execu- tive Committee is invited, and they, with the Commissioner, will participate m the exercises of that occasion. Mrs. GRAY of Darlington, says: ' I am well pleased that the women of the State Committee should select me as Chairman of Dar- lington. Since the conception of this magnificent enterprise, I have hoped to attend, and have been looking about to discover what of the useful and beautiful we have in La Fayette county,' and then goes on to mention mineralogical and botanical specimens which she thinks can be artistically arranged for the Exhi- bition. A letter from Mrs. LYNDE to the Chairman of the Executive Committee, says: 'I wish you would come in and see ns and give us a little of the courage and enthusiasm of which you have so much.' These are but a few of our recent letters. Almost every mail brings us several, and we are kept very busy answering questions, making suggestions, securing able, energetic and enthusiastic women to take hold with us and make this labor one of pleasure and love. We trust that before the 10th of May, the time when the State Committee are invited to Beloit, the city of Madison will be alive and ready to swell the current of Centennial enthusiasm. It will be seen that the State Centennial Chairman and Committee are fully employed in state work, for which the State Social Club is their circulat- ing medium. Its doings are sure to stimulate social interest throughout the state. While we feel in the closest sympathy with the same cause in our own city we cannot be held responsible for city interest or city work.
"There is a city organization, able, willing, earnest, to inaugurate and aid. All that Madison people will, shall be done; and we trust their efforts will be seconded and their hearts encouraged by sympathy and effort on the part of our citizens. We learn that the 'Red, White and Blue Club' of Madison, with appropriate emblems and badges, will soon unfurl their colors to the popular breeze, and the capital city will give the key note which will be caught up and reechoed to the farthest limits of Wisconsin.
"Let us be ready one and all, for the 99th 4th of July, and let its patriotic
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enthusiasm swell until it culminates at Philadelphia, one hundred years from the day when our Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence.
" Mrs. J. G. THORP,
" Chairman State Centennial Committee. " April 30, 1875."
Succeeding the report, it was announced that Col. WILLIAM F. VILAS would read a paper prepared by our own State Executive Chairman. This was listened to with deep attention, and the round of applause which followed when the Colonel's sonorous voice ceased, sufficiently attested the appreciation with which it was received. It should meet the eye of every woman in the land, that she may rejoice in the prophetic vision of the good time coming.
Many gentlemen as well as ladies, remarkable for conservative views, expressed decided approbation of the paper, as well as admiration for the themes suggested.
Women of Wisconsin: Those of us who are actively engaged in Centennial work throughout the state desire that generous and kindly interpretations be awarded us in connection with this enterprise, as we have not the benefit of experience or precedents to aid us.
Personal and social relations, as well as accepted conventionalities, sink into comparative insignificance in the presence of this grand national idea, whose labors are those of love.
The aims it contemplates are broad enough to dissipate every threatening cloud of social, political or local prejudice.
Freedom from these and kindred sentiments, it is our first effort to attain, that the restrictions and embarrassments which are incident to their existence may be avoided.
Let us, as women of our beloved state and nation, not as city, church or neigh- borhood women, consider the relation we individually bear to this, our common cause, in grateful tribute to our common country. Aye more: let us launch out upon this broad current of patriotic enthusiasm, trusting to the God of Nations for the wisdom of our counsels and the worth of our inspirations.
We are now, for the first time invited-rather than impelled by necessity, as in the past-to aid in a national movement.
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Let us not give a reluctant or tardy response, for there is a deeper, more tender meaning, than we at first recognize in its voice.
We shall find no barriers of opposition or prejudice in our way, unless we create them by our weakness and perversity.
We did not hesitate or shrink, when appeals were made to our sympathies and efforts, from the suffering and the dying, though they came from the battle field and the crowded hospital.
The strength of womanhood as expressed in national ways, has hitherto been as the strength of martyrdom, aroused by her devotion to an imperiled cause.
American women have suffered and accomplished for their country as sponta- neously and naturally as they are ever wont to do for their families and friends, because their services were needed. They are still needed to save, to hold and to aid in uplifting all that is valuable in our national civilization.
It has not been our mission to plan campaigns, to fight battles, or to wear the laurels of victory. It has been our experience to bear in suffering, to rear through sacrifice and to yield in agony, the men who wrought these noble deeds. It has been too often our sad duty to go with these dear ones to the portals of the unseen, and to point beyond, with a faith that takes hold upon immortality.
To turn back in sorrow and desolation and quietly take up the burdens of dis- membered households, or help eke out maimed and decrepid lives for those who hare been our strength and pride.
All this has been patiently and honorably borne, with meagre compensation and limited appreciation; proving that it is stimulus, not capacity, that is lacking to bring women to a proper estimate of their dignity and duty.
What they cannot or will not do for themselves by effort or influence, they must endure to see illy done.
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