The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-03
noNoR 70 wnou noyoR Drr
Who Originated the New York Womnn's
Centennial Movement

To THE EDIroR or THE SCN-Sir: Since
THE SuN shlncs" for ALL" am confident that
II viii publ il "plain, unvalnishc6 tale" about
the NeS York Woman's Centennial movement.
Doubtioss you arc aware Of the controversy
which has recently sprung Ip in the papels and
In putlic relative to this woman. movement, In
connection with the Centennial Exhibition. No
mott q would have been taken " 1t at all had
not the ladies' who are managing II he n led
into most unwise and ungenerous action toward
the originator Of the scheme. Who started the
Centennial movement among the ladies OF New
York; TO whom are we indebted for this feeble
spirit Of enthusiasm whchis now pervadinc our
city ladies? Ask Mrs. Gillespie, the lady who IS
at the head Of the Philadelphia Woman's Asso-
citation. She will tell YOU that In January last n
gentleman from New YORK city called upon her
and conversed at some length upon this woman's
association, and the worl, which hal been ac-
complshed in different States. It was n sui iect
Of discussion. and matter of severe comment,
mat while the ladies Of South Carolina, Conurc-
ticut, Rhode Island. Florida. Wisconsin. C1l,for-
mia, AMI other States, had gone to work and
raised money for the worthy Of jcct Of cxliLic
Ing The products Of wpm1n's labor nuth of brain
aud hand, the wnmea OF New YORK were indtf-
ierent ana had donc nothing. Several attempts
had been qiadc, without success, to interest the
people Of the metropolis IN this particular work.
ana the city OF all others which should have
taken the lead, was having the finger Of rc.ronch
pointed at her for ! zincss aud Indifference.
Mrs. Gillespie asked her caller to suggest the
name Of some energetic woman In New York
who would interest herself IN this work. aud to
whom she should write Ihc mama of Nrs
peirCo was given, rs "A ltdy Temporarily residing
In New YORK. who had been successful In organ
izing similar work IN Massnrnusetts She was
known to toe interested in women, and had done
good service with her pen ana on the platform
In behllf Of her sex. Mrs. Giilcatie comtnuni-
shall presently see.
shortly af;cr TINS conversation a series Of let
tiers appeared in ono ~ the daily uapers ~ a
sister city, setting forth the work which was be-
inE done in NHshtugton aud Philadelphia for
the Centennial Exhibition. one of those letters
spoke very particularly of the work progressing
under charge Of Ma. Gillespie. and set forth at
some length the successful efforts made by wo-
men in other States Of thc luiUn. At the same
time an appeal WIS made. EDITORIAL to the wo-
selves for work In mis- mnftcr At that time
Mrs Dr. French was delivering series Of tee
lures 70 WON Il at Chlckciing Hall, ami had in
vitcd Mr.. Icrce 10 address the audience after
several tunes. and at the lust lecture spoke on
tue subject II women's Efforts Ia other cities 10
all the Centennial.
A week az er that. Mr.. Peirce. full OF the
spirit Of hidne her sex in this city To mako "A
creditaulo show at Philadelphia. appointeJ "A
special meeting auu hN private invitation and
through the public press. invited all ladies IN
terrsted in this work To meet her on Monday
afternoon. ut Chickcrng Hat. for conference
anu united action. The experiment was novel
one. fora foreign lad. ta Bostuuian y to attempt
t. ie al movement looking TO the orcaniza,lnn
OF "A New YORK enterprise. She realized this.
ana Yet had faith to believe that movement
made in behnlt OF a national affair would re-
be II recorded that she bad expressly decl red
before the meeting was Called that she desired
no Office. and only wished 10 work m the ranks
with oihers. she hah prepared her list Of OH
GERS. All OF them New York ladies. and had lone
everything by which they alone should receive
credit for the movement. AT that meeting Of
some four or nve hundred women. 4 spirit "
apathy. was manifested. aud only toward the
| close di1 any tccing 4 tutcrc-t te.on.e mani.
fest. But the ball had been started, and would
rlll.
\ few DAYS nfferward some Of the New York
ladies', eng G,HGis, met together ~ priv te
! house, aud resolved 10 carry forward the work
begun Ut Chickcriug Hal Out with no foreign
| from the Hut. "a to what was wanted. 10
cover w their determination In tuis respect, It
was resolved t. put down only the names OF
tuch a4ies Us had a rcGigrec-Whose Gnces tors
" AZ Into he revolution" or whose preat-gr nd
fa'hefs signed the Declaration OF Indepsnd-
enc: They then resolved; hrst OF all, to rai-e
! t2,0t0 to- whatf Ala t. display women's worl.
during tue last century, 10 increase the build
lng fund II the women paNilhony on, no. 10
| buy - l. nnor! To slorify themselves nfst an 4
then raise seven OF eight thousand dollars more,
What next did tlese natriatic women d,
| Fearful tina; lmc one might susncct that the Z
! little sp1th % enthusilm u been klndlei L.,
tise that this movement has no connection
what ever vi % tie Centennial lne ting at Chl,k
efiug Hail. Iae vlrtupus inli-uttion with
| which ihey DENY tncir ntreniase IS most anus
! ing. No 4 shiU uarle debut MO was ever more
eager g fl-ect and deny that her etanaflthel
/ wa buichcF q. ore these '.ilcr o. shake -
| tie iintutltipn that their movement originated
| with Nts. PIERCE. hey may rest assured taa'
! Mr.. Ptirce never adyoc1tei So foolish "a vast,
OF money as che giving II 500. n.st, for a tan
! urr whatever tho Cesrrittdafa 81 the Sew
! York sicncrs II the Declaration may consider
pat 1917 in, az help for tlc'r .tI.tlc idea ~ sl
! sci -.lll d '.uun never came irlM The hsiu D
New En.Hnd woman. Bat the banner move
give their quarter. 20 tito Ladies' Fv equity.
| Com,ul zee % nave tt,ir names enrolled On