The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-07-01
A LADYS OPINION,
DEMANDS OF THE TIMES
OR, DEMANDS OF THE NINETEENTH CEN
TURY AS RELATING TO THE
UNITED STATES.
Alumnae Essay Before the Amelian
Literary Society OF the Due West
Female College, by Miss Leona



Female College, by Miss Leona
Blake June 25, 1891.
The most casual observer OF transpIring
events cannot but be impressed with the re-
sponsibility that rests upon the people OF
America to-day, and stand In wonder at the
signs and demands of the times.
From the very nature Of our Republican
government. that which affects Its Interests
as whole. affects equally those OF the mil
lionaire and the humblest peasant. Indivd-
ual votes make up the great power which
concentrates the welfare of American citizen
ship into q representative body, and the his
tory OF this growing republic Is made and
authorized by the votes Of Its people. Few
other nations seem so responsible for their
destinies az this mighty gem of the ocean
with its wonderful achievements and grand
possibilities. This age Is the grandest OF all
ages. 1t is rich In invention and develop
nent The locomotive that flies across this
broad continent In u few days is about to be
supplanted by the alr.ship on which we may
mount up as on eagle's wings and travel with
the f1eetness Of bird.
The genius OF man has brought down the
artillery of the clouds and caused the mes
sage to be. carried by the fash Of lightning
To-day, on every side, we arc thrilled by the
mighty roar of the waterfall attuned TO its
thousands of splndles, while the power OF
steam Is welding the great lever that lifts the
commercial world.
These are among the many heraids OF
American success, and progress Is the watch
word that intoxicates the age with the nllur-
Ing prospects and possibilities OF the fu-
ture
world with another famous "march TO the
sea-" but recount the rapid strides OF prosper
ity,-the history OF a country blossoming In
the waste places, and which stands as mon
ument TO Industry. She has more ships on
the seas than any other nation. and her ex.
ports indicate more prosperous future.
Scarce half century Will roll around When
she may be Joined with Canada and Mexico
int no m
and not until she feels her pulse vibrating
from every North American shore, Will she
be content
Her railways are the arteries which trans
nit life to the ends of her borders, while the
systems OF communication bring her close TO
the outside world.
America to-day IS the youngest and richest
OF all nations; and, while she is viewed wl:h
jealous surprise by the commercial orld, yet
there Ia something radically wrong in her
government which stands on the alert ut the
demands OF Wall Street while ten thousand
people, according TO the board OF health, die
annually from starvation in the city OF New
York.
Money Is the mighty king at whose feet It's
against the demands of justice and the ap-
peals of the needy.
Vast money combinations and trusts are
overriding public opinion, threatening the
power OF law, and seriously endangering the
welfare of American homes.
The Idea OF bondage IL revolving to Amer.
lea whose freedom has been dearly bought,
yet the producers, who form the masses, are
ltalsts OF to-day, than England ever imposed
by the Stamp Act. Consolidated wealth is
restless In the hands of few whose iegalized
gambling Is protected at the cost OF the o poor
and needy whose only protection Is Il govern,
ment which Is the prey Of spoilsmen and
contention of partisaus.
Who can foretell the future OF this mighty
republic with her increasing wealth, which
Z hQ n tnt tot inn n a
log higher and higher above the poverty
that stalks beneath! The price OF freedom
from this existing evil Is vigilance and en- en-.
ergy on the part OF every individual whose
vote expresses his choice; and not until we
hare All educated public sentiment, will the
freedom be obtained.
There are great public questions agitating
our country to-day, and tile imminent battle
Is between just public sentiment ana tne
power OF money combinations. Where the
individual citizen does not prosper, Inc coun
try is not upon firm basis, and from the
light of history, the time will come when the
people will rise Ia wrath and avenge the op-
preston.
NJ oral ed ducatIon is the means which can
until It's scope Is extended from the Atlantic
TO the Pacific, from the Lakes to the Gulf,
will the victory be won. Our government
has been corrupted by men elected 10 repre- e.
the people; thus 1t becomes an oppressor
rather than protector from existing evils.
II costs thousands OF dollars 10 adjust the
Indian troubles OF the West, which is tne re.
suit OF our own people unjustly invading
their meagre rights. They have been driven
from their humble abodes by the cruel hands
Of monopolists; yet there is Il growing inter-
and the voice OF duty Ia sounding throughout
the Union bidding US rise TO the urgent de-
mands of justice and mercy. The boast OF
fiuence Of the Paplst and Communist, are
threatening tho foundation Of Chnrch ana
State, while the roaring mob eXults along the
highway. To whom must we look TO pre-.
but to the typical American-the champion
Of the future?
America. with her growing industries is
The receptacle for the outcasts Of every chime
-fugitiVes from Justice and hre.Drands 10
society; hence the inviting attractions which
yearly increase her population, is the power
which endaDgers her Interests and threatens
the welfare OF her homes. The foreign
element Is gaining numerical strength In
the political world. while society is absorbing
Its contaminating influence:
New Orleans has recently been aroused by
the Infamous Malta, and the safety OF her clt'
Surely the signs OF the times bespeak an
impending crisis. Never were the demands
OF society greater than at the present day |;
and IL remains for the present generation 70
lay the chief corner stone on which shall
stand the social fabric OF the future. Shall
we who enjoy the privilege OF living In this
enlightened age prove recreant to the duties
Now, even today, is the time for exertion
and for exhibiting every virtue that sllnl
eXalt 10 Its true position the social standard
world Education is the motive power which
II rightly aimed, is TO move the world to Vic
tory. Honor demands IT.; the opportunities
which surround us demand IT..
Our own Palmetto State has reason 10 be
proud Of her past record. Indeed she can be
found in the front rank OF the great army
that is conquering, ignorance ana supetsu
tion; and when the smoke Of the conflict
shall have rolled away, among the trophies
that shall tell the story will be the record OF
our beloved Institution-the Due west re
male College. She has done well, and every
true Ameliun to-day can point TO her win
pride as the 1Oun tain from which howed the
gracious influences of instructors whose
memories we cherish, and whose examples
are legacies worthy Of our highest apprecia
tion.
While this and similar institutions are
rs stars adorning our southern SKY, yet mere
remains greater institutions to be established
which shall arm our girls with stlll hlgner
and more practical education with which 10
meet the demands of the times. we watch
with interest the effort that South Carolina
her girls, and believe the day is even dawn
Ing upon success. She Is planning ior the
location and erection OF Female Industrial
College, and such an institution may be the
nucleus OF a noble work which VIII equip
them for pleasant and lucrative positions.
There Is growing tendency among the
girls OF to-day toi live useful lives, and they
are realizing that their mission consists not
In being mere butterflies Of fashion, or link
ling ornaments of society. II is conceded by
some that the tendency OF such an institution
would be to reach out after the unattainable
and to overstep the bounds OF her natural
sphere. BE IL lar from us 10 advocate new
field OF labor for woman, but that she may
realize that her sphere Is crcumscrlbed only
by the nearest duty that lies In her pathway
nd hot h.,r n nIert,n doing
what her hands find to do. The day Is passed
for her TO be content with a superficial