Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-20
WORLDS COLUMBIAN FAIR.
The Women Of Virginia Requested to See
That the state Is Represented.

mar the state ~ AstpAe e'HeNNi'
To he Women Of Virginia.:
Tho undersigned have been chosen as |
the representatives. from Virginia uponthe |
Board of Lady Managers of the World |
Columbian Exposition, and IN view OF the !
rear approach of that great display OF the |
products Of mind and matter and OK the |
fact that the Virginia Legislature Is now IN
session and will be called upon 10 make an
aUproprlatiOn so a. to have Virginia pro-
perly represented. we think this an appr0-
Uriqte time to call upon our own sex Tor as
slstauce, and 90 remind them that TINS Is
the first occasion upon which women nave
been given the opportunity TO sho" What
thew can do in an enterprise OF this KIND.
We do not understand our function TO
be that we are IN any way to assert what
il commonly called wOmanS nights.
While anxious to inspire our women to
take interest in the Worlds tx
position. and while resolved that wo-
mans work and woman's capacity
shall have full representation and recognl-
ton there we realize that the chief bur
den OF the ENTERPRISE - TO lee borne Dy
men, and the greatest opportunity Tor
work among our women IS IN urging the
men of Virginia 10 an interest IN the TX
position and creating the strong publ.c
sentiment IN its favor which 1t SO rIchly
deserves.
HFR ANCIENT PRESTIGE.
Virginia was so little represented at the
Centennial Exposition az Phladelphla III
1876 that she was only conspicuous by her
absence, and the only structure represent
Ing her there was erected by the private
outlay of OIL OF her public-sprited sons.
There we're many reasons then for her
failure TO make public appropriations OK
this kind. There are nOnesuch now. mere
will be no excuse If this ancient and glori-
Gus Commonwealth does not take tho
place at Chicago to which she IS entitled.
ii Is not only on the grounds OF her an
Gent prestige, her splendid part
in our national history, and her
claim TO representation as one OF the
Oldest and most powerful OF all the states.
that we urge upon her women to sec that
Virginia IS properly represented. what we
consider as even moro powerful than all
these sentimental considerations, which we
by no means uaderrate, IS the Tecuperatlve
energy Virginia has shown of late years,
the wonderful material development that
hag taken place here, and the great oppor-
tunity given Us by TINS Worlds Exposition
TO exhibit her material advantages 10 the
world and turn towards her the capital
and population which are the hope OF her
future. We believe her women realize tho
opportunity as thoroughly as ler men,
and that woman's influence united and
brought TO bear can do much TO stlmu-
late the yigilant and liberal spirit OF our
men.
WoAIRN's SOCIETIES
We invite the women of Virginia to
form women's societies in every county IN
the State with the object OF securing, hrst,
liberal appropriations by the Legislature,
and second. collecting tho best that their
respective counties have 70 display, 50
-. Nh IH
shall be represented and her exhibit shall
be such that whoever visits the Chicago
Exposition Will not look upon her display
as merely that or her past glory, but shall
see that her people are alive aud energetic,
her products valuable, and the State Is a
desirable place for new settlers.
This is a great opportunity for our state.
II IL great opportunity Tor our women 70
help her. If it is seized upon with enthu-
siasm by Virginia women and their work
is thoroughly done. the statement OF what
! they can accomplish for our dear old Com
monwealth. II made by US, would appear
like wild exaggeration.
CORRESPONDENCE INVITED.
We appeal to 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. Each or
| ganization of this kind can and wall pro-
duce its good results. We invite uOrre.
spondence and will gladly send forms OF
| organization of Worlds FAIR clubs. To
all such we will. have sent the current
| literature OF the Worlds FAIR and aid
| them IN every way in our power. Such
| communications NAV be addressed either
TO Mrs. John Paul. Harrisonburg, Va, or
| Mrs John =. Wise, No. IS east Twenty
second street. New York, and will receive
| immediate attention.
We also respectfully request all the
newspapers of Virginia TO publish this adj
| dress, with such favorable Comment as
they may see 1T to make.
Mrs. JOHN PAUL,
! ARs. Joas $. WISE.