New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-19
THE LAST CENTENNIAL NOBILITY.


The directors of the Centennial Commission
influenced probably by the wish to recognize
the value of the work done by the WOman's
Executive Committee, have proposed That o
separate building be erected by the ladies OF
the United States in which they shall exhibit
their work. Subscriptions for this especial pur-
pose are now coming from all parts of the
country to the WOman's Committee. 1t only
seems lust. after the women of tho country.
and especially those of Pennsylvania, have
worked so long and faithfully for the coming
exposition, that they should have some share,
wholly their own, in the glory of it. NO doubt
the building will be promptly raised and the
space as readily filled with samples of wOm-
ans work. But whether this exhibition Will
really he creditabe or desirable one is matter
for debate.
While we are ready to uphold the superb
oritv of American women to those Of every
other country. we must suggest that handl-
work of any sort is the one method IN which
they fail to make that superiority apparent
Indeed, we are at loss to know with what
especial work the building is to be filled. One
two, or three sculptors of the gentler sex will
probably he represented, and Miss Winnie
Ream will seize the opportunity to Justify
her claim to the place of National artist
awarded by Congress. We have dozen mer-
itorious and three or four really excellent
water-color artists bat after these-wiat! 10
how many inventions can our women lay
claim or what kind of handicraft is there in
which they are not inferior to those of other
countriesf In straw weaving, embroidery,
lace making, all manufactures in short OF
sufficient delicacy to reach the grade of a fine
art, American women are surpassed by the
Germans, Italians. and Irish. Designing,
which has just begun to take its place here as
an occupation for women. has for years been
carried to an admirable degree of excellence
in England, especially when applied to house
decorative arts. We know of but one or two
successful architects of the sex in the country,
and not Il single wood engraver of the first
rank.
The truth is, our women do not excel as
manufacturers, by reason of the very qualities
for which they do excel in other occupations.
They are nervous, quick witted, intOlerant of
control. The races who are most success
full handcIaitsmen, such as the Chinese and
Germans, are cool, steady. and Astounding IN
patience. The methods by which American
women have asserted practical ability unfOrtu-
natcly cannot be exhibited in ga building 200
"feet square, Since 1875 they have stood
shoulder to shoulder with men as pioneers in
opening the resources Of this great country.
The life of the backwOodsman's wife, redupli-
Gated million times, is triumph OF strength,
of endurance, of tact and womanly virtue. 1t
is she who has borne the heat, the burden,
and the aguc of the day. But you cannot pro-
ducc that at the Centennial; she herself will
not bc seen there, and would cut but sorry
figure perhaps if she were. There is not a
profession nor an occupation into which the
energy of our women has not led them, and
Often with brilliant success. But their "wOrk
therein is not evidently of sort for exhibit
lion in IA hall, to be touched, tasted. or han
died.
On the whole. We think it is pity that any
effort should be made which will only damn
with faint praise those who surely deserve the
hearicst plaulits. The old trite truth, that
woman's best work is telt and not seen, will
interfere with the scheme in spite of the zeal
of executive committees. The women of 1875,
if they could control the affair, would perhaps
shrcwdly hint to Mrs. Gillespie and her assO-
GATES that, as mothers, our women ought
taci,ly to make their claim for good work well
done. and that thus they would establish a
lien on all signs of advancement or elevation
that their sons could show. But that wife-and-
mother vocation is last century view of the
case. Cornclia, if she lived nowadays, would
perform a surgical operation or dash off a
slashing political leader when she wanted to
astonish her guest, and leave her jewels to
play unnOticcd in the back yard
In the course Of year or two shall begin to see
ncca sinnalX snch neMSnanCr Cencnfs this