The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-23
THE WOMAN'S COUNCIL.
AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION
WITH A HIGH PURPOSE.
All Associations of Women To Be
Brought Into Cooperative Relation
for Their Reciprocal and General Good
An Address.

The international Council OF Women,
held ut Albaugh's 0pera-house, Washing
ton, d. c., March p to April /, 1855, con-
yened by the National Woman Suffrage
Association, addressed by nearly 100 women
from seven different countries, and repre-
senting liity-lhrec national societies, was
the first attempt to unity the spirit and
method of the worlds organized woman
hood. Under the nine general topics OF
Education. Philanthropy, Temperance, ln-
dustries, Professions, Legal Conditions,
Political Conditions, Moral Education and
Organization itself, las the essential pre-
requisite OF the most effective work in all
these lines a representative body OF
women took grave counsel together, and
without one dissenting note, the mighty
chorus of harmonious purpose sounded
through the civilized world. 1t is perfectly
safe to say that never before did the nations
womanhood, by single demonstration, 80
impress its thought, its sympathy and its
purpose upon the public mind. This proved
the well nigh reslstless power OF associated
effort. 1t was the harvest Of forty years
spent in seod-sowing; the hour was ripe
for IL; an earlier effort would have been
premature, il not impossible.
The chief outcome OF this great meeting
was still wider evolution OF woman 3
work. A permanent International Coun-
Gil was projected Ito which none but Ma
tional Councils can be eligible rs auXill-
ares), and National Council Tor the
United States was formed 10 which none
but National Associations within the
United States can be eligible rs auXilla-
ries). The names OF the officers OF the
National Council are affixed 10 this ad.
dress. The purpose OF this National
Council is thus stated in It's constitution:
owe, the women OF the United States,
sincerely believing that the best good OF
our homes and Nation will be advanced by
our own greater unity OF thought, sympa.
thy and purpose, aud that an organized
movement OF women will best conserve
the highest good Of tho family and the
state, do hereby band ourselves together
in a confederation of workers committed
10 the overthrow OF all forms OF Ignorance
and injustice, and to the application OF the
golden rule 10 society, custom and law
The report Of the committee that sub
milted this constitution contains this adj
ditional statement
1--WE are strongly in favor Of such
federation, believing that II will
incidentally increase the worlds
sum total OF womanly courage,
efficiency and esprit dc corps; that will
widen our horizon, correct the tendency
20 an exaggerated impression OF ones own
work us compared with that OF others, and
put the wisdom and experience oi each at
the service OF all
The cosmopolitan character Of the couu-
Gil isshown in Article III. OF its constitution,
which reads as follows
"This council Is organized In the inter
est Of no special propaganda, and has no
power over its auXiliarcs beyond that OF
suggestion and sympathy therefore no
society voting 10 become auxiliary 10 this
council shall thereby render itself liable
10 be intcficrcd with in respect 20 liz
complete organic unity, independence or
methods Of work, or be committed 10 any
principle or method Of any other society,
or 10 any uticmncc or act Of the council
itself beyond compliance with the terms
OF this constitution"
These terms relate wholly TO the condi'
tions 81 membership, which are as follows,
"Any society OF women, the nature OF
whose work Is satisfactory 10 the ENccu'
tive Committee, as TO either It's undoubt
edly national character or national value
may become auxiliary 10 this Council by
lis own vote, aud 10y the payment OF q SUI
amounting 10 half cent yearly per NON
Der. In addition TO q tficnnial payment O
S25s into the treasury u the Nalionu
Council, no, later than three months PRO
10 is iriennial mcctings."
Article Ill. reads asiollowE Tho officer
shall be- a President Nico-Prcsident {
Large, Corresponding Secretary, Rccordin
Secretary and Treasurer Each rrcsidoI
OF an auxiliary society shall be ex-oilic
Vice.Prcsideut OF the National Council
and the President OF the National Counc
shall be cx-oilicio Nicc-Prcsidont Of Ill
international Council. The live gcnor
officers. with tho Nicc.prcsidenis, sht
constitute an Executive Committee,
which seven members shall make q gu
rum, to provide Tor the general interests
the Council"
The meetings Of the National Coun
are 10 be tfiCnnial, aud the Committee
Arrangements Tor them IN composed Of q
Executive Committee and one dclcgl
chosen by each auxiliary society a. iIa II
fcscntaiiyc.
This address is sent 10 all national orgl
izalions OF women, earnestly inviting IN,
90 become auxiliary to the Council by I
NAL action at their next executive soesi6
o. be reported 90 our corresponding sec
tary, Mrs. May Wright Sowall, lndianal
IL, Ind.
The leading object oiihis new moycm,
Is 70 aggregate oil local societies hayi
the same object into national ~
s,ics eligible 10 auNiliaryship In
National Council Vt Women. For
stance, the clubs organized by women
oil the leading cities have thus been
hated, but IL u hoped that a convent
will be called within year 10 form a
tiona federation Of womcn's clubs; the
Gncncc Of individual clubs would be
creased by coming into such conicdcrat
and the confederation would be eligible
auxiliaryship In tho National COun
The same IN true Of the wOmcn's protect
agencies and many other excellent W,
Ties that have been organized, locally,
not ~ yet generally.
II u confidently anticipated that oil
tional organizations Of women will wit
tkc next two years become auxiliary
the National Council aud be ready TO !
ticipalc through their Representatives
the Orr, tnonnial meeting Of the WomS
National Council, 10 be held In WASH
ton In The spring Of 1891.
We also suggest tho ratification OF all
cal societies into womon's councils for q
town or city, and the aggregation Of
State societies into State aud Terrific
councils, thai this general plan Of soil,
iiy may be mado helpful 10 the uiu
possible degree, bringing women OF