The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-06-30

An Address to the Women of Virginia by
Mrs. Lucy r. Beale.

Mrs. Lucy r. Beale
As our sisters and sympathizers in the i'm
portant undertaking Of forming worthy ex-
hibit at the approaching Worlds Fair, the lady
assistant Of the board OF managers OF Virginia
would make an earnest appeal for your hearty
cooperation in the task laid upon her OF
which. honOring as u is, she feels herself un.
worthy. and 70 which she must be unequal. If
deprived of that warm encouragement and
helpful effort which is yours to give. and with
out which there can be no success.
The State. not vet recovered from the i'm
poverishment OF war and burdened with
heavy debt, has been able TO appropriate to
the cause only the inadequate sum OF S25.OOO:
as against the hundreds Of thousands granted
by our Northern sisters. But, poor though
we be. let the women Of Virginia. with
patriotic pride that cannot brook humiliation.
tax themselves 10 sgnaliZe this anniyer-
sary Of the New Worlds birth. and the
occasion on which for the first time,
our Federal Government has bestowed upon
woman. as such, financial aid ana oihciai
recognition. At Chicago we must measure
not only with the women of other states. but
of the whole world. IL the achievements OF
industry ana originality IN both the physical
and moral domain Remember that Accord
ingly our status will be decided. and that
henceiorth We shall wear the badge or pride
OF of shame. Shall not this thought quicken
10 vital energy every pulse Of heart or bralnf
Such thought and purpose - Will best help
must begin with the individual, and each
woman must set herself to inaugurate some
scheme FOR forwarding the cause. whether by
direct pecuniary AID or by hersef producing
some work OF supreme excellence or assisting
some other who has the talent but lacks the
resources for so doing. Let US re-echo the
CRY of poet sister Browning. Tor More
room for women and let rs do what we can
to help her Look to history and we cannot
lose heart. Compare our status with what
the mast can show 10 has been enlarged 1t
can now DO glOrlhed. ..
DO not fear that any woman's exhibition
shall lose the credit OF her labor. The Colum-
bian Commission orders that every article IN
whose production woman has participated
shall have that fact duly indicated. aud more
over. Congress has provided where such Is
the case that one or more women snail DC on
the committee of award. According 20 the
MAN of classification used by the National
Commission. womans labor is found 20 appear
IN almost every department, and never be-
fore has her industrial as well as her
artistic work had such opportunity or deciar-
ing its excellence. Then let US see 10 II tnat
avery industry IN which woman is engaged is
represented in its most perfect specimens.
We desire TO invite any woman VINO mas ihileh
upon some improved principle or original
line of work to communicate freely WITH us
that she may be encouraged by any means
within our power, and we cordially invite all
societies of women organized Tor the purpose
Of forwarding any material OF moral worK 81
woman o. advise us as TO the pest meth0u Oh
advancing their aims
We see that in other States statistics are
being gathered illustrative OF wOmans help
i'm the moral and intellectual progress or fhe
State rs well as her more material interests.
Have Virginia women been idle IN these hooIe
fields, Have they not with tongue and pen
faHa
and encouraged "a higher aspiratloni Is there
nothing In the way Of the garden, the DAIRY.
the orchard. Or OF domestic ordering. that Las
received special impress al her hand;
And now let Us urge upon all engaged in
! this patriotic work. an earnest preparation OF
| this great object lesson, this unel ualed ecu
! cational panorama. go soon 70 uhtoiu llsoIl
within our borders. Let Us. at TINS apt iunc-
/ ture seek TO bring Virginia forward and give
her n high and honorable record in the history
II il proposed 10 erect on the Exposition
/ grounds at Chicago house tor the entertain
/ ment and comfort Of Virginia visitors ana lhS
! display OF her collective eHhiDlt' "n ,, snall
/ la a dunlicate OF the home or our Washing
! tom 10 erect this emblance OF Mount er-
i non IL will bs necessary 20 raise the sum OF
/ not less than fifteen % twenty thousand dol-
{ iors. and when We remember that II each u
the hundred counties OF the state VIII
/ contribute the comparatively aLlat SUN ~
/ an hundred 70 one hundred and hity
! dollars. leaving 20 the cities. towns and cor
/ norations the remainder surely that does not
! seem too great an Offering for us 10 make
/ / or each county let local committees be or
eenized FOR systematic work. and let theinge-
unity of these committees come into play ia
! lie way OF feasts. fairs concerts etc 70
| Gather from willing hearts and open. though
scauty. purses the amount necessary 70 ena-
bic our own Virginia 70 take her wouted pace
| in this grand assembiage OF States.
AT tho centennial OF 20. too fresh from nef
woe. she lifted not her head. she gave 20 sign.
was dumb. Bet let us now feel and demon,
strate TO others that 30 tho beloved O.d
landu life has inded come again. en0 that
MT only 10 our eye is she 'fairest among ten
tbonsand.r but to others she Is still alto
gether lovely
organic effort must resolve itself into indi-
| vidual action as well. aud each Virginia
woman must feel that she herself Is The
Winkslreid on whose sole arms hangs victory
Again asking the assistance and encourage
ment of my Virginia sisters, am their CO.
| iaI~-er LADY ASSISTANT.