The record-union., 1893-05-02
THE wOMAN's BUILDING.
Interesting Exercises Attending Its
Dedication.

Interesting Exercises Attending Its
Dedication.
CHICAGO, May 1.-The most satisfactory
feature of the days proceedings, from a
feminine standpoint, was the formal dedi-
cation of the women's building this after
noon. A great throng of women crowded
into the building, to the imminent danger
of silken fabrics and frail bonnets.
The ceremonies opened with a grand
march by Jean Ingeborg Won Bromsart of
Weimar, Germany, followed by a prayer
by Miss Ida Hilton. Then Miss Frances
Ellicott of London favored the assembly
with dramatic overture.
MRS. PALMER's ADDRESS.
AT the close of the overture Mrs. Potter
Palmer, President of the Women's Board
of Lady Managers, delivered the dedi-
catory address. She said:
1.-THE moment of fruition has arrived
The hope which for more than two wears
has gradually been gaining strength and
detlniteness has now become reality.
for to-day the exposition opens its gates
and with it comes the formal opening of
the woman's building. Experience
brought surprises, not the least of which
is the realization of unity of human in
-terests Notwithstanding the differences of
race, government, temperInent and ex-
ternal conditions"
Of all the existing forms of Injustice.
she thought none so cruel and incon-
sistent as that pertaining to women with
regard to self-maintenance. 1t was ONLY
too evident woman, thrown upon her
own resources, had frightful struggle.
The theory that the sphere of woman is
home told heavily against her. men TAX
ing advantage of it to force her hire to a
nominal price, and many who clung to
respectable occupations showed high
principle and were real heroines of life.
whose handiwork she was proud to in
stall in position.
Mrs. Palmer dilated upon the broad
stretch between the theory of the sanctitv
of home and the actual status of affairs.
and then turned to what she called deal
ing with existing facts. She said it was
hoped to create by means of the exposi-
ton well-defined public sentiment in
regard to the propriety of women main
tanning families.
Mrs. Palmer then at some length dis
coursed upon the present situation of
women and the theories and arguments
raised for and against her, and again COM
ing back to the exposition said that real
izing that women can never hope to re-
ceive proper recompense for her services
until her usefulness and success are fully
recognized, the opportunity had been
taken of the advantage presented by the
exposition to bring together such evil
dences of her skill as to show that ability
is not matter of sex. The board, she
said, did not wish to be understood as
placing sentimental value upon the
work of women because of her sex. It
was simply hoped to place the facts be-
fore the whole world and let it Judge for
itself
Mrs. Palmer detailed the difficulties en-
countered in bringing the Commissioners,
especially foreign Commissioners, to a re-
alization of the fact that woman was fill
ing sphere greater than was thought,
and then returned thanks to those who
had aided in bringing the woman's ex-
hibit to its present state of perfection.
In conclusion Mrs. Palmer said: "The
eloquent President of this commission
last October dedicated this great exposi-