Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1889-08-01
The NEW YORK CENTENNIAL.

The Part Performed by Woman on tho
Recent Celebration of the One Hun
dredth Anniversary of the Inauguration
of George Washington as President of
the United States.
At the reception given Mrs. Olive
Logan Sykes by the National Press As
ISOLATION at Washington, d. c., recent
ly, that lady spoke as follows:
Judging from numerous protests
and petitions sent to the committee be-
fore the New York Centennial, and
from the indignant disapproval ex-
pressed by women all over the country
since, one unacquainted with the facts
would think that women had been en-
tirely overlooked and ignored in all ar
rangements pertaining TO this great
celebration. In fact. such person
would find himself considerably In doubt
as to whether George Washington ever
had wife or mother. And yet woman
did fill an important place in the great
entertainment and furnished part Of
the programme. / see questioning
looks:
"Did any Of the grand and noble
women of our country find place
among the speakers upon that occasionp
grant you, nay.
Were our worthy foremothers, or
their equally worthy daughters, ac-
corded honorable mention?' Again |
answer, nay.
did women with silvery voices fur
nish vocal or, with deft fingers, instru-
mental music during any part of the
programme? No.
'.And yet woman contributed three
essential factors to the success of the
New York Centennial, without which it
would have been a thing unheard of
and name unsung. For woman con-
tributed
81. The man they celebrated.
80 The men to celebrate him.
49, Her share OF the money raised
by taxation to carry out this great
work.
"What would the New York Centen-
NAL have been without men and money?
And of these important factors, woman
contributed all of the former and her
share of the latter.
"Since the Centennial tho New York
papers ask in innocent establishment:
Did the dear women want TO marchP
Well, suppose they did? Have not the
dear men set us the example by march
ing, in season and out of season, upon
every possible pretext and on every
possible occasion? Judging from ap-
pearances, man is never so supremely
happy as when he marches-with a
uniform, helmet and gun, If he can get
them; but with tin trumpet and a
two-penny flag il he can not. He will
stand in the rain for hours waiting for
chance, but march he must and march
he will.
IF women followed the Scriptural
injunction, and meekly asked their
husbands at home if they found it ex-
hilarating, and If it was the height of
their ambition TO march, the men sure
ly would have to answer, Yes, or their
actions would belle their words.
'1n the light of recent developments
1t certainly must have been "lapsus
lingue' upon the part of man that here
tofore America has been known as Ar
temus Ward would have said, as of the
female persuasion She has been
the country we have delighted to honor.
and to her our loyalty has been
pledged. Now all this is changed. The
New York Centennial did many won
derful things, but none more wonder
full than the changing of the sex of this
beloved child OF our hearts.
"a leading newspaper starts eulo-
CYSTIC article with the following words:
America has done himself proud In the
recent New York Centennial it was
one of the finest he has ever known 1t
certainly does seem hard, after Amer
lea has worn petticoats a hundred
years. to make her change her costume
now! But If the great -Four Hundred
so decree, l suppose poor little Amer
lea must submit"