The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-06-27
NEW YORK CORRESPONDENCE.
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF soRosIs.

formed by this time, is Sisterhood,
differing from other feminine assoeia-
tions in the respect that it is not relig
ious in the limited sense Of the word,
nor seetarian, but in general sense the
religious feeling that is rooted in the
hearts of all women has promoted the
growth of this and probably all female
organizations. The corroding dissatis-
faction with life vegetating without an
object is the almost inevitable lot Of
single women, unless gaunt hunger
compels exertion. Something to strive
for, something to do, activity to be util-
lied, aspirations satisfied these are such
women's needs. To ameliorate the con-
dition of the unfortunate, succor dis
tress, tend the sick, ETC., have been al
lotted such women, as If only the easy
details under supervision of privileged
managers could be properly performed
by a sex, possessing only animal in
stincts, and according to Spurzheim,
"as incapable of reason as q dog.n
Mdis nous dUous change tout celia.
Titans have been given TO the world
by mother earth, and proved the worth
and power of the female mind, and the
recognition of this fact has made the
thoughtful enquire why woman should
not rank with man in any branch of
art, science and literature, If the differ
ence is not radical, but on the surface.
This, then, is the mission of Sorosis;
into this work the members have thrown
their collective strength with disciplined
force. The aim is to obtain the right
for woman to compete freely with man
in all industries where brute force is not
the motive power; to remove the bar
riers that exclude her from enjoying the
same privileges accorded to man in the
pursuit of a livelihood, and submitting
her, after preparatory studies, to the
same tests and paying equal wages for
her labor. The ladies of Sorosis are the
worthy representatives of this idea,
embodying an unusual amount of intel
ligence, education, talent and original
genius. Recent accessions have been
made to their ranks this year, and only
two Withdrawals; one a necessity, the
other voluntary. On Monday, the 3lst
ult., the Fifth Anniversary of the Asso-
citation was celebrated by a midday
''dinner," we should call it but for the
unusual hour. 1t was a banquet given
in the dining room at Delmonico's,
where $50 ladies assembled, Ia rare COM
bination Of mental and physical attrac-
tiOns), at one festive board, with Miss
Emily Faithful as the orator OF the
day. 1t was a scene not soon to be for
gotten. a very high order of ability is
distinctive characteristic of the club.
Representative women, who have with
slender opportunities fought their way
TO a morsel Of fame, not as epicures to
swallow triumph as an end, but as O
means to achieve an honorable indie
pendence. The Hall was tastefully dec.
grated with flowers, the tables set in the
form of a double 7. Mrs. c. B. Wilbower
recently reelected President for the
fourth time presiding, and at the East
or Broadway center, supported righi
: and left by Miss Emily Faithful anC
J Mrs. Hanaford; and the Vice President
Miss Kate Hillard, of Brooklyn, on the
West or Fifth Avenue center, supported
by Mrs Harland and Miss NJ. Mitchell
Every sense was destined to be gratifieC
by the liberal management. $50 sweet.
scented boquets, of spring violets anC
roses, lent fragrance to the air, and a
the same time were a source of pleasur,
, to eyes keenly alive to the beauties o
| nature, as with dropping lids and boweI
5 heads, every ear listened to few shor
!; and appropriate words in which tn
Rev. Phebe Hanaford invoked a bless
ing. Then $50 knives and forks wer
e set in motion, and welded with a vim
/, highly complimentary to the JdniliGre
of the kitchen. Wit and repartee wer
shot in volleys, as Nectar and Ambro
1 sia rapidly disappeared, and as the ap
petites of the divinities were satisfied
/ the intellectual treat became NOR
: spicy. A song and chorus, written b.
5 Mrs. NJ. w. Rasenhill, preceded al
eloquent address from the President
! strenuOusly advocating woman's indi
d, viduality and the right to work out he
own salvation, temporal and eternal
. Miss Faithful, at the close Of her ora
S tion, feelingly alluded to the fact tha
e SOrosis had been first to welcome an
last 10 extend attentions in strang
n land. a humorous parody by Nine
It Mereghi, ''The Spider and the Fly" tn
d latter typifying the genus homo, "wh
!, can't come in," read ty Anna Randa
d Dehiel was received with merrimen
'e Mrs. Croly, farmer President, abser
,, from sickness, was present in though
y Her essay on Realities" was in ht
ir usual pleasant style Mrs. Weed cle'
N erly responded to the toast, ''The Sor,
sis Dinner" interpreting verbally Ii
u i hidden feeling of all present, ''The Coz
h desses felt themselves happy in eating.
As An original "Song to Womanhood au
d Poetry" was charmingly rendered b
oi Miss Ellen Miles, Sabbath School 81
: perlntendent for Mrs. Hanaford. Fo
ID lowing that lady's neat response TO Il
u song was presentation of $50 from h
to y, Sunday School for the benefit of Il
le Cary Memorial. Miss Fanny Howell
er poem, winning Woman was vel
* good in style and sentiment, as was al