USA > Wisconsin > Centennial records of the women of Wisconsin > Part 9
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The constitution was then read by the secretary, and circulated
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for signatures. Quite a number of new names were obtained, the gentlemen in the audience submitting gracefully to the de- mands made upon them to play the subordinate violin of the enterprise. While the tableau was in preparation, the audience joined the choir in singing " America," with much zest. The tableau vivant was a vivid representation of Columbia, surrounded by the "Original Thirteen," representatives of the Army and Navy, etc., and the song " Red, White and Blue" was delight- fully sung by Miss HATTIE SIMs, who surprised the audience with the power and richness of her young voice. This closed the interesting exercises at the Opera House, and for'an hour or two following, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. T. L. WRIGHT was thrown open to the guests from abroad, their entertainers, the officers of the club and the musicians, and thus delightfully ended the rare entertainments of this rare occasion. Next day the guests were invited to a drive around our city, and taken to the cars for their departure in the afternoon, feeling greatly pleased with their visit, and the enthusiasm manifested in Beloit for the success of the great centennial.
CLUB MEETINGS.
THE RED WHITE AND BLUE.
May 4, 1875. - Last evening the spacious and elegant man- sion of Mr. C. L. WILLIAMS was thrown open, and a large num- ber of ladies and gentlemen were invited in to participate in the organization of a local Centennial Club. The meeting was en- tirely informal, and a most delightful evening was enjoyed. The "Red, White and Blue " Centennial Club was organized, a con- stitution adopted, and officers chosen. Mrs. Judge HOPKINS was elected president, Mrs. BURR W. JONES, secretary, and Miss
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MINNIE ATWOOD, treasurer. A full list of vice presidents, com- mittees, etc., were appointed. About thirty or forty of those present subscribed to the constitution and paid the fee required to join the club. The Red, White and Blue starts out under most favorable auspices, and if the first meeting be taken as a criterion, its success is assured. Mrs. WILLIAMS received the guests with that ease and grace which has rendered her home celebrated, and she more than merited the hearty thanks she re- ceived for her efforts in organizing this club. Mrs. THORP was present to assist with her counsel, and her enthusiasm for the work was an inspiration to the whole company. We hope to be able to give a full list of officers, etc., in our next issue.
May 14, 1875 .- A delightful reunion was held last evening at the residence of Mrs. J. C. HOPKINS. A regular meeting of the Women's " Red, White and Blue Club," organized for Cen- tennial work. This club is made up of young ladies and matrons, with men, both married and single. Mrs. HOPKINS is presi- dent of the club, and she entertained its members last evening, at her elegant residence, in a manner that gave much satisfac- tion to all present, the rooms being splendidly decorated with national flags, etc. Sociability, business and literary exercises rendered the proceedings intensely interesting. Something over a hundred persons were present, and all were full of real enjoy- ment.
The exercises were opened by the singing of an original song, written by a lady of this city. It is set to the tune of "Yankee Doodle," and was admirably performed by Mrs. OAKLEY, Mrs. CRAM, Mrs. INGMAN, Miss JENNIE MILLS, Miss CORA GREGORY, and Mr. J. J. KUEHN, each one singing a verse, and all joining in the chorus. Dr. C. C. CHITTENDEN presided at the piano.
The song is as follows:
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CENTENNIAL.
[Dedicated to " The Red, White and Blue Club."] TUNE-" Yankee Doodle." A hundred years, a century, So grandly closing o'er us; We'll shout across the land and sea A mighty swelling chorus.
CHORUS - A century; a nation free; A century so glorious; A century; and liberty Is reigning all victorious.
Our children learn of liberty, Amid their childish prattle, Just how we paid the tax on tea In shot we used in battle.
Old Bennington still echoes back From mountain, stream and meadow, "There stand the red coats! beat them, boys! Or MOLLY STARK 's a widow."
The eager men then seized their guns, And doubled every volley, For each one saw his own dear home, And waiting there, his Molly.
Oh! Trenton saw our gallant men, With feet all bare and bleeding; The girls were knitting stockings then, Mothers in prayer were pleading.
'Tis said that MARTHIA WASHINGTON Kept sixteen wheels a spinning; Our soldiers wore The Homespun then, Our freedom they were winning.
Old Bunker shouts to Yorktown now, "What is the land's condition ?" She answers back - " In seventy-six, We'll have an Exposition!" MADISON, WIS., May 14, 1875.
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Dr. CHARLES H. VILAS then read the constitution and by-laws- very finely, and those present, who had not before done so, be- came members.
Mrs. OLE BULL, by special request, read a paper written by a lady member of the club, who declines to let us use her name. The reading by Mrs. BULL was excellent, every word being dis- tinctly heard throughout the several rooms. The paper is as follows :
"In the rush and hurry of our age, it is not often we halt and cast a glance over our shoulder to the past. But now, as the century is drawing to its close, and Columbia sits by the fire side, living over her glorious past, it is fitting that her children should gather about her knees and listen to the stories of her youth. Not that they are new to us. We know each one by heart. Our eager eyes a thousand times have caught the glint of PAUL REVERE's beacon light, and as many have we marched with those first heroes on to Concord and to Lexington. The very mention of those brave days and deeds is potent still to stir the sluggish heart with love and pride. 'We cannot tell our love' as we would, in a great national hymn, which should this day ring across our continent, and from ocean to ocean - but we have a cluster of magic words whose simple meaning has led men on through blood to victory, and women through suffering to fame - 'The Red, White and Blue.' So, in formning ourselves into 'The Red, White and Blue Club,' we feel that the very name insures the enthusiasm which is demanded for its success; and it only remains for us to secure the direct object of the organiza- tion which is to fitly represent our fair city on that great festive day close at hand. And in spite of croakers, who say the good old times are gone and we are not, like our grandmothers, we entertain no fears of our success. How do we compare with our venerated grandmothers? Do we spin? No. Weave the homespun ? No. Mind half a score of children, do all the housework, knit a sock of an even- ing, and go to meeting three times every Sunday? A thousand times, no! The onward march of civilization, with its discoveries and inventions, is not alone for man. Steel and wood, lightning and steam, work to-day for women, and their heads are better than their hands. We cannot spin-our grandmothers could not spell. Think of that, ye day of spelling schools-and when Madison's champion is a woman. Brides elect, we do not knit our pillow case full of stock- ings, ready for the happy day; but we may teach, or sing, or write a 'Bachelor Ben,' and the Balbriggans follow naturally. All honor to our grandmothers!
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Turning over the leaves of history, we note with unbounded pride that every page glows with the story of some brave, good woman who, no less than illustrious husbands and sons, fought for, and won, this new world for us. We admire them; and had we lived in their day would, with them, have run our pewter plat- ters into bullets, and-taken our cup of tea on the sly. Still, we do not shrink from comparison, and have allowed the stately steppings of the minuet to galop into the erratic German; but when the country calls for women, as it ever will in its hour of peril, women's hands and hearts and lives will answer as they have always done. And, out of its social meetings, the 'Red, White and Blue,' in 1876, shall evolve a tribute worthy of its city and its name."
Song, " Waiting at the Brook Side," was then beautifully sung by Mrs. Dr. INGMAN.
Mrs. Dr. FEELING then read, in a charming manner, a memo- rial poem, written by herself expressly for this occasion. This beautiful poem was received with much favor, and Mrs. F. kindly permits us to publish it, as follows:
IN MEMORY OF 1776. [For "The Red, White and Blue Club."]
The poets sing in mythic lore That Justice, when world weary grown,
To glad Olympus turned once more, To Freedom broke the chain she bore, And chose Columbia as her throne.
She came to build a holy shrine, To rive the fetters of the foe, To bid the star of promise shine, To spread the law of Love divine, The golden grain of Truth to sow.
Our land, not then thy honest boast Of queenly cities, untold gams, But prophecies of coming hosts Reëchoed on thy rocky coasts, And sounded in thy woodland fanes.
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What vision for a race oppressed! Beyond the cloud and through the sea A land of fruitage, God's behest, A land of blessing, for the blest, A land of Freedom for the free.
To-night, we count the years, we note The bleak defile, the eyry shore, The storms that beat a valiant boat, While echoes down the silence float To echo on -forever more.
The milestones of a hundred years Are set along the changeful way, What record there of unshed tears! Of crosses borne through hopes and fears To crown our Country's natal day!
What pictures down those aisles of time Are lit with bold unfading glow! What songs that blend in sweetest rhyme, What peans tuned to bells in chime, Along those leagues of distance flow!
There smiles a mother and her child, Gold-haired, with sunny, English eyes- What song so weird his dream beguiled ? Yon dusky mothers of the wild Have taught their crooning lullabys.
Those sturdy ships to-night we greet. They bore the banner of the free; They dared the mighty foe to meet - Old England's proud, colossal fleet - And won the trophies of the sea.
Those battle plains to-night we tread, Where mem'ries, consecrated, dwell. For there our country's leader led; For there repose our country's dead, Who for her sacred honor fell.
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The sound of battle - peal on peal, The rolling thunder rose and fell - The cannon's boom -the clash of steel - Till Freedom's hosts, with freemen's zeal, Rang out the watch word, " All is well!"
Their names shall crown historic page With glory that shall never fail, And tell how Valor won the wage - How died for Freedom's heritage Brave guardians of our Holy Grail.
From out those years what records tow'r Above Oblivion's midnight pall; Of pride, that swayed its little hour; Of nations robbed of wealth and pow'r; Of revolutions' rise and fall.
Fair isles have sunk into the deep, And mighty mountains crumbled low - Our Umion stands; and ours to reap That peace our fathers pledged to keep, That day, a hundred years ago.
Then may we garland Freedom's shrine With gifts of beauty and perfume - Green branches of New England's pine, Red gold from California's mine, White drifts of Southern cotton bloom.
Then Art and Science at her feet, Their horns of plenty shall out-pour; Then nation shall with nation meet, And sing God's praises, full and sweet, That they may join in peace once more.
Our hearts aspire e'en with the song - Our God, in whom all good has birth, Let not the promised hour be long, Ere Love shall vanquish human wrong, And Peace extend o'er all the earth.
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The old song, "The Red, White and Blue," was then sung in a most admirable manner by Mrs. Gen. CRAM, the whole andi- ence joining in the chorus.
The refreshments - plain but excellent - were then served up, in which all took part with a decided relish.
After this, those who desired, participated for a short time in a lively dance, Miss KITTY CHITTENDEN, Mrs. CRAM and Dr. CHITTENDEN kindly furnishing the music on the piano.
At 11:30 the company dispersed, all feeling that a most en- joyable evening had been spent under the hospitable roof of Mrs. HOPKINS.
Thus the "Red, White and Blue Club" may be considered as fairly inaugurated under the most favorable auspices. The meet- ing was a decided success - considered socially, mentally, mu- sically or financially. Each member on paying the initiation fee was presented with a tastily arranged red, white and blue badge, which had been prepared by the fair hands of the ladies, who are zealous workers in promoting the interests of the club. We extend our hearty congratulations to the enthusiastic ladies of the "Red, White and Blue Club," upon the excellent name they have selected, and upon the brilliant success of their regu- lar meeting last evening. May their labors for the year to come prove pleasant and profitable to them; and may they all meet on Fairmount Park in 1876, to witness the grand exhibition in commemoration of the first hundred years of our national exist- ence.
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OFFICIAL REPORT OF A CENTENNIAL REUNION GIVEN BY MRS. GOV. TAYLOR.
As announced, Mrs. Gov. TAYLOR held the third reception of the Woman's State Centennial Club last evening at the Park Hotel. At an early hour in the evening, the hotel was tastefully illuminated by Chinese lanterns all along the front on Carroll street; chandeliers of red, white and blue lights hung in the parlors and corridors on the second floor, while the rarest plants and flowers to be had in the city beautifully and tastefully orna- mented the ladies' parlors. The large dining hall was lavishly draped with the stars and stripes; the floors were canvassed, and FAUST's celebrated string band were in position to furnish the lovers of the mazy dance with their best music.
The guests on arrival were ushered into the drawing room of the hotel, and most cordially received by Mrs. TAYLOR and asso- ciates.
Mrs. HoYT, the Treasurer, uncovered a mysterious basket which she bore, and disclosed the badges of the state club, and fastened one upon each member in passing. The badge is a pearl colored ribbon, on which is printed in blue the coat of arms of the state, while a red knot completes the triad of na- tional colors.
The company assembled, which is said to have numbered four hundred, and would have been larger had the weather been fa- vorable, were invited by Gen. ATwooD to descend to the dining hall, and the literary exercises commenced, after a song by Mrs. CRAM, Mr. FOLDS and Mr. JAMES S. SMITH, entitled "I know a bank whereon the wild thyme grows."
Gen. ATWOOD, reading from the programme which Mrs. TAY-
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LOR had drawn up, found his name next in order for a report of his recent visit to the fountain-head Philadelphia, with his usual promptitude and enthusiasm for the cause, responded at some length.
Next the voice of Mrs. Dr. INGMAN rang out with great clear- ness through the wide hall in a sweet song, and prepared for Mr. CHARLES N. GREGORY's thrilling poem. We are proud to send forth this offering contributed by our young poet, as Madison's and her State University's own laureate, nor are we afraid to place it beside the classic gems which came to us from the east a few weeks since, and were inspired by a sight of Lexington's battle-field, April 19th.
LEXINGTON.
Soft blew the morning airs, pleasantly straying, Under the willows that bent o'er the stream, Hiding the water, and then in their swaying, Showing a moment its silvery gleam.
Merry birds sang on the highest boughs tilting, Violets opened blue eyes to the sun;
But the best blossoms of freedom lay wilting, Ere the bright day of the spring time was done.
Proudly the horses, their haughty necks arching, Bore the brave leaders in scarlet coats gay; Proudly contemptuous the British came marching, Out from the town ere the morning was gray.
Down through the lanes where the country lay sleeping, Under the stars while the shining dew fell,
Never a thought, on their cruel way keeping, Morning's defeat and disaster to tell.
Freedom sleeps light, and a sound will alarm her;
Despots' encroachments fall loud on her ear;
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So on that night every Middlesex farmer, Knew that the foe and the conflict grew near.
Swift flew the message from village to village, Ere the east flushed, all the land was aflame, From every field came the child of its tillage, From every anvil the brawny smith came.
'Twas not a time to delay or to trifle, All must be given lest all be undone; None were too young that could handle a rifle, None were too old that could shoulder a gumn.
On the broad green for the country that bore them, Neighbor by neighbor the minute-men form, Long is the line of invaders before them, Solemn the quiet presaging the storm.
Then the command to disperse while the yeomen Stoutly face death for the land of their birth; Ruthlessly shed by the balls of their foemen, Life's ruddy current pours out on the earth.
Sacred the fame of the men that have striven Bravely and well for their land and their laws; Sacred the turf where a mortal hath given - Freely hath given his blood for his cause.
Though o'er their graves the rank grasses are springing, Though o'er their dust no memorial rise; Yet the brave deed through the centuries ringing; Wafts their great names to the uttermost skies.
But where of late they were proudly advancing, Scarlet-backed troopers from over the sea, Banners thrown wide and with shining steel glancing, On to imbrue it with blood of the free.
Look, the drilled soldiers of tyranny waver! Look, the trained cohorts are turned in defeat! Freedom repulses the foreign enslaver, Fierce was the conflict -the triumph was sweet.
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Ev'ry stone wall, where the farmer had laid it High on the edge of his little hill farm, Flashed out a ball from the band that betrayed it, Staying the aim of a patriot's arm.
Every scant bush that gave place for concealing - Cherry or apple tree blossomed like snow -
Sent its bright flame, and a scarlet coat reeling, Showed how our plowboys could welcome a foe.
Thus in the days of our liberty's danger, They were the many and we were the few;
But we repelled the attacks of the stranger, Thus, with God's helping, we ever will clo.
And when the buds of a century fleetly Aprils have scattered in sunshine and rain; When those old patriots, slumbering sweetly, Long 'neath the sod of a free land have lain;
When time has shown us their work was enduring, Has and shall last as no nation before,
Honor maintaining and justice securing; Has lived a cycle, and shall evermore;
Pause, then, a moment, to speak of their story - Stay, then, to honor those brave minute men;
Vowing, if ever she needs for her glory, Our land shall not lack such defenders again.
Mr. J. J. KUEHN then gave us the pleasing variety of a lay in the language of his own fatherland.
Gen. ATWOOD announced that permission would then be given to any person who wished to make any remarks, and suggested that he noticed a gentleman was present, who always made good speeches, and no doubt the audience would be pleased to hear from Hon. JOHN M. BINGHAM, of Chippewa Falls.
Mr. BINGHAM came forward and addressed the company in his usual terse and elegant manner, paying a high compliment to
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the ladies for the part they took in the noble and patriotic work of assisting to make this great national undertaking a grand success, etc.
The next exercises consisted in some very fine singing by Miss CORA GREGORY.
This part of the evening's entertainment was then closed with the following Centennial Club Hymn, composed by Prof. J. D. BUTLER, and read by JOHN B. PARKINSON:
TUNE. - "Greenland's Icy Mountains."
At Waukesha's health fountains, Menomonee's pine mills, Where forth from iron mountains Metallic wealth distills; By Eau Claire's river-meetings, And Madison 'tween the Lakes,
For centenary greetings Behold Wisconsin wakes!
What though the father freed us From British George's chains, While Paris fashions lead us, Dress tyranny remains, From prairie and from river Where'er our maidens dance,
They call us to deliver From mimicry of France.
Wisconsin fair ones, waken! Her gallant men inspire, With earnestness unshaken And independence fire! See one short year before us, Our hundredth natal day; Join Philadelphia's chorus, And noblest offerings pay.
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After the reading of the poem, refreshments were announced. and all found their way into the private dining room, where the tables, with ornamental cakes, beautiful boquets of flowers, tea and coffee, sandwiches, ice cream and strawberries were await- ing, from whence all departed satisfied that in feeding the hun- gry, the proprietor of the Park Hotel will surely be entitled to the first prize at the great Centennial Exhibition.
The lovers of the dance were not slow in taking possession of the large dining room hall and inaugurating the mazy waltz, and the sweet notes of FAUST's band continued until the hour for dispersing.
The number present must have been between three and four hundred, making the entertainment a complete success, being universally pronounced one of the most enjoyable parties of the season.
MRS. J. D. BUTLER, Sec. W. S. C. C.
FOURTH OF JULY, 1875.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF COMBINED CENTENNIAL CLUBS.
The Centennial Celebration given by the ladies of Madison, on the evening of the 5th of July, in the Assembly Chamber of the Capitol, was an ovation of which we are proud to make record. The banner of glowing colors which the heavens un- furled at Sunday's sunset, followed by a rainbow in the east. gave promise of fine weather for Monday, the day appropriated for the united festival of the Madison Centennial Clubs. But alas for human hopes! Alternate showers filled with fearful forebodings many an anxious heart, lest the efforts of the few
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who had labored so unweariedly to perfect every detail of the interesting programme promised, should not be rewarded by a commensurate audience. But the falling clouds failed to darken or dampen the enthusiasm of our citizens. A large concourse gathered at the hour proposed, and foreboding turned to exulta- tion as friend greeted friend in the rotunda and dressing rooms. The weather prevented the illumination of the park by Chinese lanterns, for which provision had been made, but no influences had abated the zeal of the decorative committee. As we entered the hall the witch's prophecy seemed fulfilled and "Birnam wood had come to Dunsinane." Our Assembly Chamber was a pillared shade, high over arched, and dotted with vine and moss baskets of fairy shapes and velvet hues. Glittering amid this temple which appeared a grove, were banners and "bruised arms hung up for monuments," of our nation's pride, and our country's noble achievements. The speaker's desk had been transformed by artistic hands into a niche with the state insignia, and before which hung a mysterious curtain. On the opposite side of the hall a mossy grotto, enshrining the flower nymphs, added its own charm to the scene. On casting a look over the company assembled, it was delightful to observe how many had caught the spirit of the occasion and brought back the past into the living present. Besides numbers who had spared no pains to perfect their antique and indeed royal toilettes, of whom we shall speak again, there was a tinge of quaintness interspersed in the fashions of to-day; by here a lovely Quaker dress -there a powdered head towering in soft massy coils, or enveloped in the snowy cap of the olden time, while an ancient heir loom dress, mantle, or comb, betokened that the descendants of the Pilgrims, journeying to the western wilderness, had brought many a household God
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with them. The audience was in all particulars select and refined, as was attested by their quiet manner and close atten- tion during the exercises, and the absence of that rudeness of behavior which sometimes characterizes Madison entertainments. Among the guests, we observed our own worthy Governor, as well as ex-Gov. WASHBURN, whose courtly bearing always dis- tinguishes him in the crowd. We do not speak of Madison ladies in partienlar, hoping that all were there, either as mem- bers of a Centennial Club or expecting to become so. We were especially honored by a large delegation from our sister city, Milwaukee, though the crowded programme prevented the recognition of these guests as courtesy and welcoming hearts prompted. Nor can we now give all the names of the four- teen ladies and eleven gentlemen. We recognized Mrs. COLT, famous in the charities of the past Mrs. C. was attended by her daughter. Mrs. ASHLEY, wife of Rev. Dr. ASHLEY, of St. James Church, also gave us the sanction of her genial presence, and Mrs. GILBERT, a favorite in social life, with many young la- dies, among them the three Miss SCHLEYs and the Miss SMITHS, added to the Milwaukee grace and beauty of the festivity.
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