The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-28
ADDRESS OF j. L. POWER.


ADDRESS OF J. L. POWER.
Capt Sykes, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen;
When, last spring, it was my privilege
to participate in the ceremonies of laying
the foundation stone of this now complete
and beautiful building, | resolved to be
present, if spared, on the Opening Day of
the State Industrial Institute and College
for Girls. As an ardent friend of the en-
terprise, | have watched with interest and
satisfaction the progress that has been
made, but | looked forward with Just
little anxiety and apprehension to this
occasion. | knew that the Trustees and
the President had planned wisely and
well that the architect had skillfully
drawn and faithfully executed the designs
that have eliminated in these spacious
elegant and substantial buildings that the
State had made, for a beginning, generous
provision, and that this Queen City of our
Commonwealth had added munifcent-I
may say, an Indispensable contribution !;
but would the people ratify all this
Would the people respond, by sending the
Jewels of their homes to be treasured and
polished in this beautiful temple? If they
would not, then the glorious conception of
"a Mississippi Woman" aided by her fair
coadjutors of Claiborne county, the voice of
the press sustaining their cause, and the
prompt and liberal legislation in answer
thereto, would all be for naught. Would
the girls come? And would they come in
| such numbers as to test the capacity of the
College, end from all parts OF the State, so
as to indicate that our people generally
had faith in this new departure? Would
there be vacant rooms in those splendid
Il, I'D e IL -
corps of instructors have unoccupied seats
in their class-rooms
These surmises and apprehensions are
all answered to-day in such way as to
gladden. our hearts, and make us more
than ever to feel that we are citizens of a
State that has mapped out for its future
| the highest and noblest achievements in
intellectual and industrial progress. Yes,
| the girls are here and though most of you,
young ladies, are for the first time from
home, you are among friends, who will
| endeavor to make you feel "at home" and
who will always be ready to aid you in
every possible way. These fathers, and
mothers, and sisters and brothers, who have
gathered here to-day to bid you welcome
to Columbus, will cherish you and care for
you as members of their own households,
and will each feel personal interest and
personal pride in your comfort and pro
gress.
But L am expected to-day to speak as a
representative of the Press. The con.pi-
ment implied in being thus chosen. IS most
highly appreciated. l have the pleasure
OF knowing, however, that on such an oc-
casion "brevity is wit" and that you will
be more than pleased not to be inflicted
with an essay on the press-its peculiar
mission-its all-perv aiding inffuence-or
the great things it has done, or NAV do, for
the Girls College. OF this YOU NAV rest
assured: that the Press will do its full duty
to the College, if the College will do its
full duty to the State and Of this enter
tain not the shadow of a shade of g doubt
There are twelve thousand or more journals
published in the United States, and one
hundred and twenty-five in our own State
the organs of parties, of industries. of
science, literature and art--all differing on
every subject, save one: the elevation and
ennobiIDg OF woman. On that grand plat
form they all stand united-in thai creed
they are all agreed. The press has been
the great lever that has lifted woman to
the high, co-equal station she now occupies.
The first flap OF its iron wing dates the
dawn of her emancipation from the condi.
ton of inferiority, dependence and servi-
tude assigned her by the hitherto lords of
creation, until now there appears to be no
field of human progress and no depart.
ment of human effort, in which she is
not a powerful and essential factor Tn
1880, according to the e. S. Census of that
date, there were 4,074, 238 persons EMPLOYED
in what is termed professional and per-
sonal service" and of this number I.36I.-
295 were females. OF the II, a0S Journal
Ists-publishers or editors-2SS were fe-
males; there were l0,0S4 females EMPLOYED
as printers, book binders, lithographers
and stereotypers; 1868 were EMPLOYED in
telegraph and telephone companies: and
OF those classed as teachers and scientific
persons'--aggregating 227 ,710--73, 1886 were
males, and 154, 375 were females The
next census will show a still greater pro-
portion of female participation in every
trade and calling.
A school of this character is. therefore
not only in harmony with the spirit. but
an absolute requirement of the age. In
the populous States and cities of the North |
and West, schools have been established
and endowed by private means and enter
prise, in which girls are being qualified for |
special work but in our condition we can |
Dn.y extend such advantages by the State |
undertaking this duty. Mississippi NAV
be said to be the pioneer in this direction.
and her generous and welI-matured plans
Tor the establishment of this College have
excited the wonder and admiration of peo-
pie who have imagined that our only am
1ition was politics and cotton The OPEN
ng of the doors of our State University
md our A. & M. College to the girls was
IN innovation that reflects eternal honor
Ipon the enlightened and progressive man
lgement of those institutions and The
ounding of this institution is an event
hat will shed lustse upon our State for all
oming time, provided this inaugural day
> an index of the record ii shall make.
Young ladies, the success Of the College
ests with you-not so much with the
trustees, the President and Faculty.. as
nth you, collectively and personally. And
good deal of the success to be achieved
rill depend upon the results of this first
ession. There are not few who nave
nd who will continue, to regard tins AZ an
Expensive and doubtful experiment. so
bat it is incumbent upon each pupil en-
oiled on the register of this College. to
emonstrate by her progress, and her
apacity for useful and honorable labor.
nat this is indeed an institution calculated.
4 the language Of ito charter, 10 fit YOU :
,r "the practical industries OF the age.,,
'ou can accomplish all this by the observ- Z.
nee Of one simple but indispensable rule
1plication- Il was said In a loving tribute J
} young man, had his application been !
lnl to bis genius, bis progress would
erius, but you could not Be here to-s3sv 3
"a you not satisfied your County Suner;n.
ndents that you not only knew come 7
ing but that vou have the $3.50 49, = q