The New York herald., 1873-10-10
TIE WOMEN'S CENTENNIAL.
Meeting at stsiuway Hall Of the women's Gen.
tennial Assoc; ation-An Evening Spent in
Talk and a Rumpus Winding 1t Up
High Old Time All Around.

Talk and a Rumpus Winding 1t Up
High Old Time All Around.
grand mass meeting ito use the phraseology OF
the womens Centennial Association circular was
held last evening at Steinway Hall. To speak more
correctly a large gathering OF men and women as
sembled in the hall about eight O'Clock, attracted
thither by the promise made In the circular
that there would be .eminent speakers, horal
decorations and music" The attractions, how
ever, did not come up to the promise. There was
but little music, no flowers and no eminent speak
ers. Indeed, there seemed to be sort OF spiritual
mist all the room, which was made all the
more evident by the talk OF some OF the speakers.
BERGH ON WOMEN.
Henry Bergh was the first person to address the
meeting. He commenced by saying that when he
left home he expected to be only spectator dur
ing the meeting, but rs he had been called upon TO
preside In lieu OF gentleman previously desis
mated, he accepted tue honor with all its burdens
or course he was expected to make speech
but he was very sorry to say that he wasn't 10 the
humor and couldn't do 1t. He was unprepared
and had nothing to say other than TO express the
hope that the Women's Centennial Association
would be success. He never when abroad, gave
a thought to the dear women without feeling
proud OF his American sisters. He felt that they
werd did not enjoy. 1t was true that there were
masculine monsters even in this city who allowed
1.-THE ovellest creatures OF the Almighty to stand
in an omnibus all the way down town; but as
general rule the men In New York were pretty
good fellows in his opinion. Mr.. Bergh then
wandered in a misty sort OF way into dis
QUESTION about beautiful women particularly and
all kinds Of women generally, ana finally drilted
into story telling.
A GUSHING WOMAN.
At the close OF Mr.. Bergh's remarks Mrs. Brown
son Clarke was introduced to the audience. This
lady was buxom young woman, not bad looking
generally. she was neatly dressed, and after
being introduced pulled out OF her pocket roll OF
white paper. which proved to be her address,"
She read it deliberately. and gave due weight TO
every syllable as though she was determined that
il there was an obstinate masculine monster pres
ent he could not 90 home and give hls wife as an
excuse why he dldn't know what Mrs. Clarke spoke
about that she read too hurriedly. 1t was notice.
able that whenever she made mention OF the word
.gentlev being one and '.men'' the other. When
she uttered the first she emphasized II
strongly, iust as II she meant 70 call the
little crowd of mascuines present amiable darngs,
for gentle" certainly means amiable IN mas
culine sense Notwithstanding this delightful nat.
terry Of Mrs. Clark not one OF the monsters deigned
to greet the compliment paid them with even
shear, near,n not to say anything about three
times three and tiger. Mrs. Clarks address was
outline OF what the AIMS OF the Association are,
and what 1t might be in the future.
There was considerable OF sentiment OF the gush-
ing order and at the close of the address she made
the announcement that II the Association
from each prizes would be given Tor prominence
in the higher arts, history, scientific works, poems
&c Tne art 81 COOKING 1ns ns
ducements for 1.-THE daughters OF the Republic'' to
contend for in the prize race but there Were many
present who believed that this science was COM
pletey covered under the general term OF "indus-
trial pursuits'-around stove probably.
THE AMERICAN FLAG, ETC.
Colonel T. b. Thorpe, hearty old gentleman,
with sonorous voice and an easy address, was
the next speaker: He said tnat America was the
especially. He saw before him. to use
n,s own words .prOmiscuous audience
he liked to see fine looking ladies' turn ont in
goodly strength on all patriotic occasions. He
eaglesm. He liked spread-eagleism, he said. He
was always happy when he heard man or a
or her country. It was a healthy sign, sure sign
OF real patriotic feeling. The Colonel at this point
grew enthusiastic and shook his head sayagely
grasping for an invisible flag stan, and strobe
up iand down the stage with majestic
the ladies ON the 'front.' row before HIM.
All the time he Kept talking about tile American
nag, in which he managed to wrap up the panic
in Wall street, the stern OF an American snip, the
wheat OF the West and the Rocky Mountains.
The reported arrival OF Miss Anna Dickinson at
this eventful stage created somewhat OF furry in
the audience, many OF the boder OF the Mascu-
lines going so far as TO call out for her by name,
which rather disconnected the good Colonel who
abruptly closed his address.
ONCE MORE.
General Fitzpatrick was the next speaker. HIS
address was OF the spread-eagle order, and drew
| forth considerable applause at its close.
wHAR DID HE cUMD FRUMy
Mr.. Chauncey Barnes followed General Fitzpatrick
/ in short address. He made q comparison
between man and woman and declared it as Gospel
/ truth that, whereas woman was a lump OF lowell
ness, man was nothing but body .lull of whlskey,
tobacco, flesh and the devil." owing to the re-
| peated demonstrations OF enthusiasm on the part
i OF the audience which were given in and out OF
place during the address, Mr. Barnes had finally to
would be compelled to do in the years that to
| come, when We would have government that
would be respecter OF persons.
/ A SCENE.
Yet though Mr.. Barnes then and there disap.
| peared for about five minutes, during which time
and calls OF Louder resounded through the hall,
/ ne again scrambled up on the platform and began
1 new harangue. Cat calls. Kisses and cries OF
"Put him out greeted him from all sides, and yet.
| ike Banquo's ghost, he would not down. The
persuasive Bergh finally succeeded in pulling him
dragged back he shook his fist at the audience and
yelled out az the top OF his voice, ''You are all
! going to destruction
/ This scene brought the meeting to close amid
great confusion.
| 1t must be said, in conclusion, that the Centen-
NAL Association IS, apparently, in bad hands.
Spiritualists. w0men's rights women and goodly
sprinklng OF the free love deyoces OF both sexes
formed tae major portion OF the audience, and the
\ few persons who went for the purpose OF encour-
which the meeting was held had 10 leave. In the
end, thf rough sheer disgust. The whole AFFAIR wae