The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1893-05-06
THE WOMAN'S BUILDING.
Address of Mrs. Potter Palmer Lad
Abcrdcen.

HI'N6p, Ill, May II he last nail in
the Woman'S buiIding was driven.
Mrs. Potter Palmer spoke as follows:
lhe moment OF trutIOn has arrived
Hopes which for more than two wears have
gradually been gaining strength and def
nH'h"NN nave now become realities. To-day
me exposition opens its gates. On this OC-
Ca~Iun OF the formal opening of the wCm-
an : building the Board of Lady Managers is
>lnENdfIE fortunate IN having the honor to
Welcome distinguished official representa-
uNeN nt many of the able foreign commit
tee and OF the state boards, which have so
effectively Co-operatcd with il in ACCOMPLISH
Ing the results now disclosed to the world
Experience has brought many surprises,
not the least of which Is an impres-
>IFe realization of the unity of hui
man Interests, notwithstanding differ
encc> OF race, government, language,
temperament and external COnditionS The
people of all civilized lands are studying
tho anne problems. Each success and each
failure IN testing and developing new theo-
rlr~, l. valuable to the whole world. Social
and industrial questions are paramount, and
are receiving the thoughtful consideration
OF statesmen, students, political economists,
humanItarlamS, employers and EMPLOYED
oi all existing forms OF injustice, there
Is none SO cruel and inconsistent
a l. the position in which women are
placed with regard to self-maintenanCe; the
calm Ignoring of their rights and response
bl!lt1e> which has gone on for Centur-
L.. If the economic conditions are
hard for men to meet, subjected
a they are to the constant wedding out Of
the less expert and steady hands who are
thereby plunged into an abyss of misery it
Is evident that women thrown on their own
resources have a trightful struggle to en-
djrc, especially a. they have always 10 con-
tend against public sentiment which dis
fDElHttnAnT,t-
Pl"ymcutS a a means Of livelihood.
The theory which exists among COnserva-
tive people that the sphere of woman i her
home, that it isUntcuinine even mon>trOuS
for her to wish to take place beside or 10
compete with, man in the various lucrative
industries, tells heavily against her, for
manufacturers and producers take advant-
aye OF it to dI~paragc her work and obtain
her services for a nominal price, thus profit
iu@largcl y hv the necessities aud hclplessness
OF their victim. That 50 many should cling
tn respectable occupations while starving in
following them and should refuse to yield
To di-cpuragrmeut and despair shows a high
quality of otcadtaStne>> and principal
These are the real heroineS of life whose
haudiwork we are proud to install in the
exposition because it has been pro
durrd i'll factories workshops and
ditiuns, and with the most sublime patience
and endurance.
The absence of Il Just and general appre-
Clatl"n Of the truth concerning the position
and status of women has caused us to call
special attention to II, and to make a point
OF attempting to create, by means of the eX-
position. a Well-d"tincd public sentiment in
regard to their rights and duties, and the
propriety of their becoming not only self
SUPPORTING. but able to assist in maintain
ing their tamilir, when necessary.
Lady Aberdeen. representing England
and ireland, spoke briefly. La part
she said:
It i, a great honor to be allowed to take
part in the opening ceremonies of an enter
prise towards which the eyes of all who
tax" an interest in the work OF
throughout the world are turned with hope
and confidence Mrs, Palmer has told Us OF
What ii" and her colleagues desire to attain
through this great undertaking objects
which ~hc has put before Us are calculated
a. arouse our utmost enthusiasm. ! am
sure that the women of other countries
repre- elt"d here will never forget
which She and her tcllow-workers have
placed lI~ AMI We can assure her that she
VIII cyerrCCoIyC the most loyal support that
Wrrau render in our measure throughout
tin' r"ur~" ot this exposition. take It that
is.,. one supreme subject of friendly rivalry
here Will be to show how much
the women of each country have
served that country and have thus raised
il high in the civilization OF the world by
thcjr devotion, their skill, their talents,
their influence for good. And taking this
a the standard by which We are to test our
>cIv,-. ! am proud to think that | am here
a~ the representative of the two countries in
which can claim a share OF nationality
Scotland and Ireland.