The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-11-04

mas gained, and sinking under the toll
their own incidence increases. will at
length give up their unsteady efforts in
despair
Let me impress upon you, above all
things, that in example and influence
consists woman's power. Therefore
cultivate assiduously every graceful,
womanly accomplishment, and stndy
particularly the science of neatness,
order and taste; for these are essential
items in the formation of complete
female character; deficiency in these
requisites to domestic refinement and
enjoyment, admits of no equivalent.
Mr. Chairman who, let me ask could
stand In this temple of Art and Science,
consecrated and made holy to learning.
aud in this presence and on this opening
day, before this brilliant circle of youth
full hope adorned and graced by that
lovely presence which speaks to our
hearts of all that is beat tiful, pure and
holy, and not feel subdued by the
associations of the place, the time and
the purpose of our meeting!
Truly, this is an occasion fraught wi tn
40 common interest to the people OF the
whole State-especially to her women.
Need l say that though woman's true
sphere, her holiest, sweetest duties are
within the narrow limits of the home
sircle, whose sacred precincts 1t is her
peculiar privilege to adorn, to beautlfy
and to bless, and to make better, purer
and happier by her silent influence, the
lives of those with whom she comes In
daily contact; yet, as the age IS pecom-
ing more practical and liberallzed IN It's
consideration of the just but long with
held claims of woman's right to honor
ably compete in the race OF lie for
self made and independent livelihood,
you, and all of us are to be congratu-
lated that our State, by this College
about to be opened, has inaugurated
| the first advance in fitting and prePar-
| ing her women for the practical indus
tries of the age.
1t is true, as said by Washington
| Irving, that "There is in every true
woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire
which beams and blazes in the dark
! hour of adversity;" but what would
his avail against the unjust and cruel
principle which prohibited her from
engaging in honest employment that
would bring, in reward of her labors, a
support and competency, and condemned
her to learn by experience that no food
is so bitter as the bread of dependence,
and no ascent so painful as the staircase
of patron"
Until recently, the situation of cult
waited and refined females without for
tunes and the home circle, was deeply
affecting. Excluded from the active
employments in which they should have
heen permi' ted to engage with the ut
most propriety, unless their superior
genius gained for them admittance int
the precarious world of literature, o.
their beauty, culture and amiabl
qualities secured for them suitable
; marriage, they we're forced to labor IN ;
limited field with small remuneration
, for their toll, or finding nothing to d.
could but fold their hands in idleness
, Under the old order of things. an
because false modesty excluded then
. from remunerative employments, thei
: more serious occupations, "un!ess tn
Y washtub or dusting brush was thei
2 portion, was sewing and embroidery, an
= their greatest drudgery, the preparatio
! of iellies and sweatmeats. But, wit
!. the advance of more enlightened idea
d women are being recognized as reason
o able creatures, and entitled to compe
n in the race of life with the sterner sel
Y and an education progressive throug
II life," of which, until recently, they wei
thought incapable is now being tardll
g extended to them.
u In the last few years new impul
% has been given to female educatio
4 Here and there, normal schools to equ
-e them as teachers are being endowed |
j. private munifcence or supported |
'e State aid.
But, in this Institute and College
le still further advance is made-one tn
Df covers the whole field and supplies eve
IN want in female education. Under .
$, instruction to be received here, won
IS, will be qualified to engage in the rem
III nerative employments of life, and D
or destiny for usefulness and her freede
y, from poverty and idleness will be assure
to Feeling thus / stood with lock
N, shi elds, shoulder to shoulder with yt
he Hon. J. McC. Martini, and with "
lis Hon. J. J. Gage], on the tioor OF
nd Senate. and on each recurring and cios'
in contested vote, lasting through wee
ng pro oclaimed with our voices and I'M
es- ence. woman's rights of emanclpatl
from conventional restraints. WA
of Won. sir. Hon. J. L. HarrisonI,
IDS Ajax Telemon of the House, W
I'd radiant baldric and nodding plume, $
so by side with you, Hon. L. M. MillerI,
re Jupiter Tonans, with the scepter
Of thunder of your commanding pow
ex stood its champions and secured
nd passage when subsequently 1t came
,ur for action in that branch OF the Legl
of ture. | rejoice with you to-day,
we are permitted to stand mere al
are the exhilerating influences of this men
md able day. brought about by your q
his ing minds, and realize the consumma'
md of our cherished hopes.
Dve When, on Saturday the llth da
nv Anril last. | assisted in throwing
nal first dirt preparatory to the comment
di of work ON this imposing edihce
of said:
pes ..Tbe fears entertained by pending the dI
let sion OF the bill in the Senate lest MISSISSIPPI"
md prove recreant to the high trus. ~ in The
ute anifest sentiment of her people to withhold
,ite ing that would contribute to tue perez su0e
this College so hatteringly inaugurated'
Irs feel satisfied, Governor, that
tho noonle of this State will very soon rea
an6 IF thew do not already appreciate
noe y;sdom implied in the very perth
and language of that part of your last =
,e NAL message to the Legislature, whe
I to YOU propounded the pregnant ques
and oyerhowing with meaning:
for ,,x.ss,..a !. To assume the obligations OF e
ters ,;ng the rrls would il not be better 70 est
tant female college 1t once than " rss 'Ae
Cahs nsriment of co-education at oxiofo
So SUI We are acquainted with only
l'nS oh;acti,n thus lar advanced by tho
NV Uaa onnosition to the College, which !, q
m II enough of seeming plausibiiit
o'u command an answer or invite lnHes
&c :; .;on And this only objection II
m;,.as of many of our people te
anu ast,hl;shment OF this College Is RAJ
ngn a.s, disanpearing. The objection was a.
ople' n;sl..ading and unsubstantlai:
neie, n,anv of our best citizens conceive
'ense ;dea and persistently ciung 20 IT.
aIl moneys to be appropriateu
oeoo state for educational purposes snoe
o % 70 common schools and not TO Coz
omc, They either forgot or never Kne'
rouu foot that Mississippi was now doing
asonrces justified, and that the
rga was near at hand when IN 1ns - ~
'rs us many thinking ones, 2 na,. m.d A. II
!, pas, pa., rection might have to be caiieu
neal thai some Of our most lnteiilgene
'uuge ali over the State are Ignorant ol
NOR Mississippi is doing for ner eo'
,encn schools. And as comparisons ar1
rmine times suggestive, need here oui:
'ooity .ha attention of such to the iac,
conn stat;stics rhow that in proportion.
mPer' a,le property, Mississippi is uoi'
arins' common schools, one ana seven
'teem' ~ much as North Caroiina, w
'sipPi ,,,ch as Alabama, two ana 'nies