The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-05-02
THE W0MAN'S BUILDING.
Dedication Of the Great Structure to
Exemplify the Work Of
Women.
Not to Put q Sentimental Value
Upon Her Work Because
of Sex.

But to Exhibit to the World What Women
Can Do-Dedicnted to Elevated
Womsnhood.
CHICAGO. Mny 1.-The most satisfactory
| feature of the days proceedings, from q
feminine standpoint. was the formal dedi-
cation of the women's building this after
noon. A great thronR of women crowded
into the building to the imminent danger
of silken fabrics and fra,l bonnets. The
ceremonies opened by . grand march by
Joan InRelborR Won Bromsort. of Wsimar.
Germany. followed bv PRAYER by Miss Ida
Hullin. Then Miss Frances Elliott. OF Lon
don, favored the assembly with . dramatic
| overture. at the close of which Mrs. Potter
Palmer, president Of the woman's board of
lady managers. delivered the dedicKtory
address. Mrs. Palmer spoke 40 follows:
"The moment Of fruition has arrived.
The hopes which. for more than two years,
have gradually been gaining strength and
defnitenass. have now become realities. for
to-day the exposition opens its gates. and
with IL comes the formal opening of the
woman's building. Experience brought
many surprises, not the least of which il
the realization of the unity of human in
terosts, notwithstanding differences of race.
government, temperament external condi-
| tions.''
| or all the existing forms of injustice she
thought none 30 cruel and inconsistent a.
that prevalent with regard to tho self
maintenance of women. It was only
too evident that woman. thrown up.
on her own resources, had q frightful
struggle. The theory that the sphere of
woman is the homo told heavily against
her. men taking advantage Of it to force
her hire to q nominal price. and many who
olunR to respectable occupations showed
high principle and were the real heroines of
life. whose handiwork We are proud 70 in
stall in the exposition. Mrs. Palmer di-
lated upon the broad stretch between the
theory of the sancity Of the homo and the
actual status of AFFAIRS and then turned to
what she called dealing with existing facts.
She said 1t was the hope to create by means
of the exposition we'll defined public sen
timent in regard to the propri-
ety of women maintaining families. and
it was hoped the statistios the board Of
kauy Iu0uHRoGS uoN UuCukeA WOOA0 8AVC -
correct idea of the number of women, not
only those without protectors, but also
those forced to work shoulder to shoulder
with husband. without noting the number
forced to support husbands in idlsness and
vice.
Mrs Palmer then at some length dis
coursed upon the present situation of wo-
men. the theories and arguments raised for
and against, and again coming back TO the
exposition said that realizing that women
can never hope to receive proper recon-
pence for services until her usefulness and
successfully recognized opportunity have
been taken advantage of, the opportunity
is presented by the exposition to bring to-
gether suoh evidences OF her skill as to
show that ability 10 not matter of sex.
The board, she said, did not wish to be un
derstood as placing sentimental value
upon the work of women because of sex.
1t was simply hoped to place the facts be-
fore the world and let it judge for itself.
Mr.. Palmer detailed the difficulties en-
countered in bringing the commissioners
especially foreign. to q realization Of the
fact that woman was filling sphere greater
than WAS thought. and then returned
thanks to those who had aided in bringing
the woman's exhibit to its present state Of
perfection.
In conclusion Mrs. Palmer said: "The
eloquent president of the commission last
J October dedicated the great. great. g eat ex-
position TO humanity; We now dedicate the
woman's building to elevated womanhooJ.
knowing that by so doing we shall best
serve the eause of humanity"
The jubilate was sung by Mrs. H. H. A.
an orchestra. Then followed the presenta-
tion of the large silk American flag by Geo.
s. Knapp and his son q. M. Knapp. Of Chi
caqo. This flag Is made of American silk
and will be the standard flag of the Colum-
bian exposition. At the close of the fair 1t
10. knI khA
ment and become the national standard.
Before it was turned over to the ladies q
portion of the fringe was cut from the flag
with pair of scissors which came from
Turkey, and this. together with the scissors,
was presented to Mrs. Palmer by Mrs. Sol
Thatcher.
In receiving the flag on behalf of the ma.
tionsl committee Mrs Palmer said: "While
J We will carry this beautiful banner to none
: but bloodless victories, We will honor and
cherish 1t nevertheless. F"
Brief addresses III de by several other la
dies. representing the commissions of for
eiGn countries. explaining the nature of
! foreign exhibits and the manner in which
} they were collected. Tho countess Of Aber-
deem was listened to with great interest.
I She said she felt greatly honorsd TO be al
lowed to take part in the opening Osremo-
of all interested in woman turned with
hope and confidence. She was sure the
women of other countries would never for
{ get the debt Of gratitude. and know that
friendly rivalry would show how much the
) women OF each country had done TO raise
il, and how great their influence for good.
She was proud to be q representative Of
two countries. Scotland and Ireland, whose
women had counted for much in history.
} 1--WE hope" she said, ITO show in an Irish
village tho work of Irish peasants anu
specimens of their finished work, 40 re-
minders Of the fact that these beautiful
laces of tho wealthy are manufactured in
Irish oabins - we'll ~ ordinary linen."
She expected much good to come from
the exposition, which would bring into
lowly homes At least . little moro of sun
shine. Yet the greatest and most far
reaching. she thought. would come from
the meeting Ut repressRtivs women of all
countries where they would learn what ID
being done to carry forward the common
cause OF humanity. This meeting would
be source of common strength from which
will be gathered inspiration whsrswith oil
might render higher. heller aud moro fruit
ful their service 10 the world. and from II
women weuld 20 forward, nrsd with . COM
mon devotion to serve their generation
with which past Rges were never blest.
Then Mrs. ]. +. Richards. OF Montana.
presented Mrs.. Palmer with the nail which
that state has chosen as a asvmbolical gift
to the president of the board Of lady man.
ayers. Mrs. Richards said in pari; II beg
TO present Montana's contribution 10 Grs.
| Potter Palmer honored president Of this