Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-10-30
For The Ellsworth American.
The Women's Congress

of America assembled al Toronto. Canada,
the l4th inst, for its eighteenth annual
convention, holding three daily sessions,
and closing Friday evening. the l7th, snd
was represented by members from the far
West. extreme East, middle States, aud
provinces of Canada.
Arrangements for the reception and en-
tertainment of the delegates from the
States were in the hands of competent
ladies and gentlemen of Toronto, every
detail of which was admirably plan
ned and carried out. A local committee
wearing a. A. W" badges met the in
coming guests on the arrival of trains and
in the most cordial manner welcomed aud
assigned them to their several houses of
entertainment. The formal reception was
given Us Tuesday evening in the handsome
theatre Of the Normal School, crowded to
rs capacity by the refined society Of ladies
and gentlemen Of Toronto, in full evening
dress. The city authorities, clergy. Pro-
fessors of Toronto University women of
the W. c. I. L, Mrs DR.. Boyle of the
faculty of the Womens Medical College.
sud Hon. Mr. Ross, Minister of Education.
and other prominent persons, all gave
most excellent speeches Of welcome and
congratulation to the "A. A. W"
our president, Mr.. Julia Ward Howe,
responded fttingly, gracefully, and with
great acceptance She said she was over
powered by welcomes from so many
sources, hearty. cordial and generous. and
She voiced the association for the advance
ment Of women, in saving their greeting
IN this beautiful city on the lake, q great
honor and far beyond their expectations
that many invitations to hold this session
in other cities had been declined to leave
for the first time their own country. and
most fortunate in their decision, as this
truly grand receipt N testified Mrs.
Howe referred most beautifully 10 the
English governments being presided over
by 8 woman whose name was honored in
every civilized country [the mention Of
Victoria brought immense applause with
band echo Mrs. Howss response was
full Of touching reminders Of the loyalty
Of Canadians. aud gracefully closed by
saving England and America for the
world" Prolonged applause followed.
Mrs Kate kannett Wells Of Boston, was
! introduced and spoke feclingly of our most
overwhelming welcome, of the cordiality
and generosity of Toronto citizens. of the
beauty of this queen city of ontario, Of
the schools, public and private, Of the lib
eral institutions and Of the many rich and
4 elegant church edihces, etc, etc.
! Mrs.. Henrietta Wolcott Of Dedharn
Mass. treasurer of the association, made
very happy impression in her response,
lines between Canada aud United States
We were met and received not as strang-
ers, but as old friends and relatives Re-
ferring TO the object of these meetings,
Mrs. Wolcott wished our Canadian cousins
TO understand that we were not mutual
admiration society-thst no association on
the continent had more varied views
among its members on politics. on the Nc
Kinley bill (laughterl on the franchise,
and other vital topics. To bring out and
discuss the best thoughts from different
| standpoints was educating, charging.
While members accepted our motto
Truth, Justice. Honor" as the corner
stone of this associations existence, all
were at liberty to give conscientious ex-
| preston 10 honest convictions After
| closing the formalexercises, introductions,
greetings, a stroll through the galleries
| and halls, finished most delightful even
Ing with cordial Canadians.
The Toronto NM says
The amphitheatre Of the Normal school
was last night the scene of one of the
most brilliant gatherings that ever assem-
blsd within its walls. The eighteenth an
nual Congress Of the association for the
Advancement of Women, held this wear in
Toronto, by invitation of the Mavor and
| City Council, has brought together from
| all parts Of the neighboring republic many
OF the brightest and most cultured repre-
sentatives of its intellectual won nhood
| The assembly that thronged the Normal
School rotunda last night was gathered to-
gether TO extend public welcome and
greeting TO the distinguished visitors. The
bulk of the assemblage was, as WAS MT
ural, composed of ladies', but there We're
also present large number Of gentlemen
distinguished for their interest iB educa-
tional matters and all movements Of pro-
gressive nature"
The history of this association for
the advancement of women dates from
1873, when a committee from the Club
Sorosis of New York called upon all
women of America who by voice. or pen,
or practical work were interested in the
leading reforms of the day, to send in their
names, forming a "Women's Congress
to meet the demand of the times in inter-
change Of thought and action, and to
consider and present practical methods
for securing to women higher Intellectual
moral, and physical conditions, with a
view to the Improvement of all domestic
and social relations" The officers are
president, vice president from each state
and province, secretary, treasurer, two
auditors and twenty-five directors. Mrs
Mary A. Livermore was the first president.
The "A. A. W." steadily grows in num-
bers and influence, having members in
nearly every state, territory and Canada
While all the papers presented for dis
cussion were exceptionally well written,
and instructive, Astounding in originality
and bright thoughts, and discussed by
eminent women capable of handling the
subjects, | must mention as leading
topics the Practical Value of Phil
osophy," by Mrs. Julia Ward Howe;
Estimates of Woman's Character" by
Mrs. Ellen NJ. Mitchell of Colorado
Woman in the State by Miss Mary F.
Eastman of Massachusetts; "Women and
the Forum" by lawyer Martha Strickland
of Michigan; "Women's position 10 Ad-
vanced Civilization in Ancient Egypt" by
DIR. Louise Leonard, Washington, D. c.;
Working Girls Clubs" by Mrs Helen
Campbell of New Jersey; 1.-The Gain and
Loss of Art Study Abroad" by Mrs. Sarah
Moore of Nebraska; 1.-THE Colored Wom-
en- of the South" by Mrs. Elizabeth b.
tune of South Carolina; and The Work
and Influence of DIR. Maria Mitchell" by
Prof. Mary w. Whitney of Vassar Col