The Portland daily press., 1885-09-14
The New Exposition at New orleans.

To the Women of Maine:
In compliance with request from Mrs. j.
G. Nixon, whom / had the pleasure of meet
ing at New Orleans last spring, and who is
superintendent Of woman's work at the Ex-
position, am anxious to do all in my power
to arouse fresh interest in this subject in my
State. There is no question that an admira-
BILE exhibit could be made by Maine if little
enthusiasm would bring together persons
whose separate works seem small in their
own modest judgment, but which, collected
together, would surprise and delight by their
number and their Importance. In visiting
the Exposition found reason to congratulate
the women of the country as a whole upon
the general result of their achievement; but
New England did not do herself justice, and
Maine had not the representation of her
feminine skill and taste which had hoped
to find. Another opportunity is now offered !;
new and better facilities are provided The
"woman's work" is to be exhibited side by
side with mans work Sin the spaces set
aside for State exhibits" and will doubtless
receive that careful criticism that spurs on
to greater excellence. An eloquent appeal is
made to us by our Southern sisters, who are
eagerly emerging from the long shadow
which has oppressed them, and desire to
claim their share in the modern worlds bright
handiWOrk
quote from Mrs. NiXon's letter: profit
ing from the experience of last year, we hope
to make our exhibits more interesting and
complete, better worth the trouble and time
taken to see them. Can you not aid by in
spring the women of your fine old State to
send us an exhibit of woman's work in its
best and broadcast sense? In the matter of
artistic, industrial and inventive displays we
are naturally out of the procession, as the in
evitable result of our long years of poverty
and housekeeping. tits for you of the North
to show us what sthe outside world has been
doing the past twenty years"
Such cordial words of invitation surely de-
serve an equal cordiality of response.
In an admirable circular recently issued
by Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, whom we delight
to honor as wise and Jealous worker for
all the best interests of her sex, she refers
to last years Exposition as follows: "The
industrial undertakings of American women
have beenIshown by our late exhibit to be
very various in their character, and in many
respects, important to the community as well
as to themselves. We, who were brought to-
gether by last winters work at New Orleans
have all learned from it something concern
ing the extent and character of these indus
tries. l think that what we have learned in
this direction must excite in each of us a de-
sire to help the women workers in all parts
of the Union
There is no limitation to any class of work;
the broader the field covered the better.
Not wishing to trespass upon the space
kindly allotted me by the editor, Twill briefly
add that Hon. J. B. Ham, commissioner
for Maine, has signifed in the most obliging
manner, his readiness to aid such an exhibit
mall ways. He will assume the cost of
transportation of articles, and by being in
New Orleans during the Exposition, will be
able to give personal supervision to them.
1t will give me the greatest personal pleas
ure to aid the women of my State to exhibit
at a distance some of the beautiful, useful
and ingenious work in which they excel, and
of which, we, at home, are justly proud
Persons in Portland willing to aid by send
ing specimens of work can deliver them at
my house, 103 Spring street, where they will
be cared for till Commissioner Ham takes
them in charge. Applications by letter will
receive prompt attention.
MARGARET j. M. SWEAT.
Portland, Sept IL.