The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-18

Appeal to the Women Of Virginia by the
Lady Managers.
To the Women Of Virginia:

10 the Women OF Virginia:
The undersigned have been chosen as the rep
resentatiyes from Virginia upon the board Of
lady managers Of the Worlds Columbian Ex-
position. and in view Of the near approach OK
rhat great alspay 81 the products OF mind and
iature Is now in session and Will be called upon
10 make an APPROPRIATION so as 10 have Nlr-
einia properly represented. we think this sn
appropriate time TO cali upon our own sex for
assistance, and to remind them that this is the
flrst occasion upon which women have been
gwen the opportunity TO show what they can do
IN an enterprise OF this kind.
We do not understand our function 10 be that
We are IN any way to assert what is commonly
called womans rights. While anxious 10 inspire
our women 10 take interest IN the Worlds EX-
position. and while resolved that wOmans work
and woman's capacity shall have full rep
Fascination and recognition there, we realize
that tho chief burden OF the enterprise is 10 be
borne by men, and the greatest opportunity for
work among our women is in urging the men Of
virginia TO an interest In the Exposition and
creating the strong public sentiment in its
favor here which II so richly deserves.
virginia was so little represented at the Cen
tennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876 that
she was only conspicuous by her absence, and
the only structure representing her there was
by the private outlay OF one OF her puDlic-splr-
ltei sons. There were many reasons then for
her faiiure TO mako public appropriations of
rms kind There are none such now There
Will be no excuse II this ancient and glorious
Commonwealth does not take the place al Chi
caRo TO which she Is entitled. It Is not only on
the grounds OF her ancient prestige, her splen-
dld part in our national history and her
claim 10 representation as one Of the
oldest and most powerful Of all tho States.
that we urge upon our women 20 see that Nir-
ginia is properly represented. What We con-
slder as even more powerful than all these sen
timental considerations. which We by no means
nnderrate, Is the recuperative energy Virginia
has shown OF late years, the wonderful mate
rial development that has taken place here and
the great opportunity given MS BIZ this Worlds
Exposition 70 exhibit her material advantages
10 the world and turn towards her the capital
and population which are the hope of her fu-
ture. We believe her women realize tho oppor-
tunity as thoroughly as her men, ana that
Woman's influence, united and brought 10 bear.
can do much TO stimulate the yigilant and lib
eral spirit of our men,
We invite the women of Virginia to form
women societies in every county OF the state,
with the object OF securing, first, liberal apprO
priaiions by the Legislature, and, second. col
lectlng the best that their respective counties
have to display so that at Chicago every county
OF Virginia hall be represented and her exhibit
shall be such that whoever visits the Chicago
Exposition will not look upon her display as
merely that Of her past glory. but shall see that
her people are alive and energetic, her products
valuable and the State is a desirable place for
new settlers
This is great opportunity for orr State. II
IS a great opportunity for our women 10 help
her. II il is seized upon with enthusiasm by
lirglnlan women. and their work Is thoroughly
done. the statement of what they can accom-
pllsn Tor our dear old commonwealth. n made
by us. would appear like wild exaggeratiOn
We appeal 70 our women TO organize in every
county IL matters not how few may start such
organizations, or how many may be formed in
any county. Zach organization OF this kind
can and will produce rs good results. We in
yite correspondence and will gladly send forms
OF organization of Worlds Fair clubs. To all
such We will have sent the current literature
Of the World Fair and aid them IN every way
in our power. such communications may be
addressed either TO Mrs. John Paul. Harrison
burg. Va, or Mr. John y Wise, No. Is east
Twenty street. New York. and will re-
ceive immediate attention.
We also respectfully reqnest all the newspa-
pers Of Virginia 10 publish this address, with
such favorable comment as they may see ht to
make, Mrs JOIN PAUL.
Mrs JONI :. WISE