# Democratic Ideals (Brown)/Chapter 7

CHAPTER VII
MEMORIAL SERVICE AND TRIBUTES
At a meeting of the Federal Suffrage Association of the United States, held October 2nd at the residence of Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood, to arrange for a memorial meeting for the late corresponding secretary of the Association, Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby, who died September 7, 1916, at Palo Alto, California, the following resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, our corresponding secretary, Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby, has departed this life for a field of higher service,
Resolved, that in her death the Federal Suffrage Association of the United States has lost a faithful and enterprising officer; the woman's suffrage cause a self-sacrificing, versatile, and brilliant advocate; and humanity a strong and noble soul, with face turned ever to the light, and with voice and pen devoted to the higher thought and broadening vision of the race.
Resolved, that this association will do all in its power to carry on the work for which it was organized, and which Mrs. Colby so ably led; ​
Memorial Service and Tributes
Resolved, that copies of these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this association, and be sent to the daily press of Washington, D. C, and to the surviving members of Mrs. Colby's family.
At this meeting arrangements were made for a memorial meeting to be held after congress should have convened and other friends returned to Washington. The meeting was held on the seventeenth of December at the lecture room of the Unitarian Church. There was a large attendance of the old friends of Mrs. Colby and members of the Federal Suffrage Association. Very beautiful tributes of affection and appreciation were given by representatives of the different societies to which she belonged and the churches with which she had co-operated during her stay in Washington. Extracts from a letter from her friend, Dr. Clara MacNaughton, then in Paris, were read.
The following program was carried out:
In Memory and Appreciation of CLARA BEWICK COLBY
Chapel of Unitarian Church, 14th and L Sts. December 17, 1916, 4 P. M.
Reverend Olympia Brown opened the meeting with prayer. ​
M emorial Services and Tributes
A Hymn—"Nearer, My God, to Thee," was sung. Miss Eva Bright, leading; Miss Bessie Bright, accompanist.
Letters were read from friends unable to be present.
Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood spoke for Woman's Press Association.
Mrs. Mary C. Greathouse in place of Mrs. Carrie C. Kent, for People's Church.
Solo— "One Sweetly Solemn Thought"— Miss Eva Bright.
Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood represented the Peace Association, but unable to be present, sent a greeting.
Mrs. Theodore L. Cole, for University of Wisconsin Alumni.
Hon. John E. Raker, Member of Congress.
Mrs. Florence Willard Day, New Thought Alliance.
A Hymn—"Lead, Kindly Light," was sung, Miss Eva Bright leading.
Mr. Wm. Canfield Lee, for Unitarian and Congregational Churches. (Liberal Religious Union).
Dr. Copeland of Oxford University, England, spoke for the Secular League.
Mr. Kepler Hoyt spoke of her religious life.
Rev. Olympia Brown gave some account of her suffrage work, and closed the meeting by reading a part of the poem, "The Song of the Plains." ​The following extract from the "Woman's Who's Who" was read at this meeting and illustrates the variety of her interests:
Colby, Clara Bewick—Lecturer, interpreter of Whitman, writer; born in Gloucester, England; daughter of Thomas and Clara Willingham (Chilton) Bewick; educated at University of Wisconsin, Ph. B. Taught in University of Wisconsin, department of Latin and History. Edited and published "The Woman's Tribune," in Nebraska, 188388; in Washington, D. C, 1888-1904; in Portland, Oregon, 1904-09. Delegate to International Congress of Women in London, England, 1899; delegated by governor to represent Oregon in the First International Moral Education Congress, London, 1908; delegate to First International Peace Congress in London, 1911. Vice-president, Nebraska Woman Suffrage Association, from its formation, 1881-83; president, 1883-09. Since formation, corresponding secretary of Federal Suffrage Association of the United States. Writes magazine articles for "Arena," "Harper's Bazaar," "Overland," "Englishwoman," etc., and newspaper correspondence. Member, The Fellowship, International Peace Union, National Woman's Press Association, Oregon Woman's Press Association, Higher Thought Center (London), Woman's Freedom League, National Political Reform League, International Woman's Franchise ​Club (London). Has often appeared before state legislatures and congressional committees on behalf of woman suffrage. Aided woman suffrage in England in 1908.
Among many letters of appreciation one has been received from Hon. Burton L. French. Hon. Burton L. French was a particular friend of Mrs. Clara B. Colby, and a strong advocate of the women's cause in Congress. He introduced the Federal Suffrage Bill in the House of Representatives on several occasions. He spoke for it at committee hearings and made an admirable address in its behalf on the floor of Congress. From his most cordial letter we quote the key note, "When the history of the struggle of the women of the United States for suffrage shall have been written, it will contain a record of the work of Clara Bewick Colby, who, as citizen, as corresponding secretary of the Federal Suffrage Association, as lecturer, did heroic work in behalf of the cause of suffrage. She was earnest in her purpose, intense in her convictions, capable in all she undertook."
LETTER FROM IDA HUSTED HARPER
I knew Mrs. Colby for twenty years and I never heard her make an unkind criticism of a fellow worker. She was wholly unselfish, single minded, without desire for personal ​
Memorial Services and Tributes
glory. Woman suffrage never had a more earnest, sincere and devoted advocate. With her it was a vital, fundamental principle for which no labor was too hard, no sacrifice too great. Her courage was sublime. She never waited for money or other assistance when an opportunity offered to advance her cause, but went forward with dauntless faith that in some way the means would be provided. It was in this spirit that she carried through to success a congress of the Federal Suffrage Association in San Francisco during the Panama Pacific Exposition in 1915.
This was the last time I ever saw Mrs. Colby and I shall never forget the scene. It was at night in the splendid Court of Abundance, lighted only by blazing torches, and she gave the recitative for a long series of tableaux. She stood on the pedestal of a towering column, the soft wind blowing her summer dress and long flowing cape into graceful folds, making her seem like a piece of statuary harmonizing with the beautiful architecture. The memory typifies her own lofty and noble character.
IDA HUSTED HARPER. ​
M emorial Services and Tributes
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES U. S. Washington, D. C.
October 9, 1917.
Reverend Olympia Brown, President, Federal Suffrage Association, 941 Lake Ave., Racine, Wis.
My dear Mrs. Brown:
Learning that you are now engaged in writing a sketch of the life of Mrs. Clara B. Colby and her work in relation to the Federal Suffrage bill, which is now before Congress, and has been pending for a number of years, I take it as a privilege to write you a few words in regard to Mrs. Colby and her work in behalf of the Federal Suffrage law in regard to the election of members of Congress as it has come under my observation.
I first became acquainted with Mrs. Colby some twelve years ago in her work in Oregon and then in California for suffrage in these two states. When I first came to Washington, some years ago, I found Mrs. Colby engaged and intensely interested in the proposed Federal Suffrage law. I had occasion to meet Mrs. Colby quite frequently in her great work. Her work brought her before the various committees of the House and Senate—in particular the House Committee on Judiciary and the Committee on Election of President, Vice President and Representatives in Congress, and the Judiciary and Woman's Suffrage Committees of the Senate.
Mrs. Colby's presentation of the Federal
8.5 ​
Memorial Services and Tributes
Suffrage law to these committees was such as to receive the unstinted praise of the Senators and Representatives who heard her strong and logical arguments irrespective of the individual views held by the Senators and Representatives. She has contributed largely to the cause of equal suffrage for woman and her work and words will be of lasting benefit to the outcome of woman's suffrage.
Her work will be a guide for those who have taken up the question where Mrs. Colby by her untimely death was compelled to leave it.
It would be hard for me to express my full consideration of the noble and splendid work done by our friend in this cause—so near and dear to her. It had become her life work and had she been spared she would have been given the privilege of seeing her desires fully realized—for it certainly will be a reality ere long.
Your life sketch of Mrs. Colby will be of a necessity a glowing tribute to a womanly woman—engaged in a most worthy and righteous cause. Her words have left their lasting mark and I am more than pleased to know that you are going to preserve them to the end that the present, as well as future generations may reap their full benefit.
Being much impressed with your work, I wish you every success. Believe me, I am,
Yours very truly, diet. JER/OPM. JOHN E. RAKER.