Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-02
MRS. PALMER's REMARKS.

W0Unan-
AT the opening Of the woman's building .t
the Columbian exposition Mrs. Potter Palmer.
the president OF the board Of lady managers.
made an elaborate address.
Hrs. Palmer said in part:
"The moment of fruition has arrival Homes
which have for more than two wears been
gradually gaining strength and definite
ness have now become realities. To-
day the exposition opens its pates
On this occasion of the formal opening
Of the woman's building the board Of iady
managers is singularly fortunate in having The
honor to welcome distinguished Official repre-
sentatiyes of many of the foreign countries and
of the state boards which have so effectively
co-operated with ii in accomplishing the re-
suits now disclosed TO the world.
"EXperience2ags brought many surprises
not the least OF which is an impressive realiza-
ton OF the unity % human interests. notwith-
standing the differences of race, gov
ernment. language. temperament and external
conditions. The people of all civilized
lands are studying the same problems. Each
success and each failure in testing and Develop
ing new theories is valuable to the whole world
students. political econ omists. humanitarian,
employers and employed.
INJUSTICE TO WOMAN.
"Of all existing forms OF injustice there u
none so cruel ani inconsistent as is the position
in which women are placed with regard to
self maintenance. the calm ignoring of their
rights and responsibilities which has gone
on for centuries. Ii the economy
conditions are hard for men to meet subjected
as they are 10 the constant wedding ont Of the
less expert and steady hands (who are thereby
plunged into an abyss of misery. it b
evident that women, thrown upon their own
resources, have frightful struggle TO en-
dure. and especially as they have always had to
contend against public sentiment which dis
counienanced their seeking industrial employ--
ment as a means of livelihood
The theory which exists among conservative
people that the sphere of woman is her home
thai 1t Is unfeninine, even monstrous for her
to wish 20 take place beside or to compete
with men in the various lucrative in
dussries. tells heavily against her. for
manufacturers and producers take advantage
OF II 10 disparage her work and obtain her
services for a nominal price. thus profting
largely by the necessities and helplessness Of
their victims. That SO many should cling
20 respectable occupations while starving
and following them, and should refuse to Weld
TO encouragement and despair shows a high
quality O. steadtastness and principle. These
are the real heroines OF life, whose handiwork
We are proud to install in the exposition. be-
cause it has been produced in factories work.
shops and studios under the mos: adverse
conditions. and with the most sublime patience
and endurance.
I'VE nope the statistics which the board OF
lady managers has been SO earnestly attempt-
ing to secure may give correct idea of the
number OK women, not only OF those without nat
ural protectors OF those thrown suddenly upon
their own resources. but the number
of wives of mechanics, laborers, artists, arti-
sans and workmen OF every degree who are
forced TO work shoulder 10 shoulder with their
husbands IN order to maintain the family;
without noting the number forced to support
their husbands in idleness and vice.
ABILITY NOT GOVERNED By SEX
Realizing that woman can never hope to
receive the proper recOmpense for her services
until her usefulness and success are not only
demonstrated, but fully understood and &C.
knowledged, We have taken advantage
of the opportunity presented by the exposi-
ton TO bring together such evidences of her
skill in the various industries. arts and pro-
fessions may convince the world that ability
is not matter OF sex. Urged by necessity
she has demonstrated that her powers are the
same as her brothers. and that like encourage
ment and fostering care may develop her to an
equal point OF usefulness.
1.-The board does not wish TO be understood
as placing an extrayagant or sentimental value
upon the work of any woman because of her
sex. Il willingly Acknowledges that the indus
| tries, arts and commerce have been for centu-
ries lu the hands of men. who have
carefully trained themselves for the RESPONSE
bilities devolying upon them, and who have
consequently, without question, contributed
vastly more than women TO the valuable
thought. research, invention, science. art and
literature. which have become the rich hertz
age OF the human race. Notwithstanding their
disadvantages, however, a few gifted women
made their value felt and have rendered ex-
ceptional service 20 the cause of humanity.
when our invitation asking cooperation
was sent to foreign lands the commissioners
already appointed generally smiled doubtfuIly
| and explained that their women were doing
nothing; that thew would not feel inclined TO
! help us, and in many cases stated that
| il WAS not tine custom OF their country for
women to take part in any public effort that
| they only attended TO social duties, drove in
the parks. &c. But soon as these ladies
received our message sent in a brief and
| formal letter the Free Masonry among women
| proved to be such that they needed no explana-
tion; they understood At once the possibilities.
Strong committees were Immediately formed Of
| women having large hearts and brains, women
who cannot seltishiy enjoy the ease of their own
lives without giving thought TO their helpless
and wretched sisters.
"Our unbounded thanks are due TO the ex-
allied and influential persons who became, in
| their respective countries, patroresses and
| leaders of the movement inaIgurated by us
| TO represent what women are doing,
They entered with appreciation into our
work for the exposition because thev saw an
1 opportunity. which they gratefully and DELI
cately veiled behind the magnificent laces form
ing the central objects in their superb collec-
tons. 10 aid their women by opening new mar
kets for their wares. This was the earnest
purposes of their maiesties, the Empress Of
Russia and Queen of Italy. both SO noted for
| the progressive spirit they have DISPLAYED in
promoting the welfare Of the women under
Their kingly rule. They have sent large collec-
items of the work OF peasant women. showing
the methods which exist under their patronas &c
| for selling their hsndiwork
| The committee Of Belgian ladies WAS kind
| enough TO take special Pains TO comply
| with our request for statistics concerning
the industries and condition of women. not
| withstanding the fact that the collecting Of
statistics is nos in Europe 30 popular o.
/ with us. Ii has sent complete reports. very at
tractiyely prepared in the form Of monographs
ana charts. giving details which have been Sc
cured only By great personal effort. These
figures have never before been obtained in
that country, and the committee itself is sur
prised az the great amount OF novel informa-
ton II has succeeded in presenting.
Her majesty. the Queen OF England, las
! Kindly sent an exhibit of tine work of her own
hands, with the message that while che usually
ieels no interest in expositions, she gives
this special token of sympathy with the work
OF the board of lady managers, because
OF lis efforts for women. That the English
J committee has included in its exhibit and In its
catalogue plea for the higher education of
| women ID $40 fact