The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1894-02-07
speech OF Mir. Charles j. LeseSne at the
the Knights of Pythias Banquet.

We regret not being able to publish the
admirable address, delivered by Hon. r.
Frank Wilson in the Baptist church on the
occasion of the installation of the officers
of the Knights of Pythias. The address
was fine presentation Of the objects of the
order, and delivered in most mastery
manner. We, however, give our readers
the eloquent tribute delivered at the BAN
ouet by Mr.. Charles J. Lesesne, iu re-
sponse tot the toast of Woman"
! Chancellor Commander and Brother
Kniehts-The committee on arrangements
didn't see lit to consult me as to what toast
| I should like to respond, but seemed to
think that if any subject would inspire me,
| it was woman. It seems to me that some
gentleman who has enjoyed conjugal bliss
might do better justice to the beautiful SUBJ
! iect than can, for having had such luck IN
that line as to produce anything else but
bliss, know nothing about it.. But, while
it might sound strange to those Of you who
have been taught that the waters of foun-
tain can't how above its source, l do know,
that woman, the second edition Of human
ity and the specially created counterpart Of
man, is the greatest Of Gods creation. And
though Thales ascribed to Diogines Laertius
the giving of thanks to fortune because be
was mainland not woman. it was not be-
cause of his intention to minify woman IN
the narrow confines to which she had been
assigned by man, but because of her cir
cumscribed sphere compared with the hb-
ertv Of Of man. During that period OF the
worlds history the distorted ideas OF men
about yoman's usefulness in the advance
ment of civilization were akin to the Greeks,
that philosophy demeaned itself by stoop-
ing to uses. But woman is no longer toy.
She is proving herself the equal Of man in
mans own work, and in her sphere proper,
she is far his superior In the language Of
Iamented author: whether by 'fortul-
tous' concourse OF atoms; or by that dlspo-
sition of unknown causes whlcL we call ac-
ciaent; or by that intelligent, non human
arrangement of human affairs that seems to
imply an unseen intelligent power which
most men delight to call God," woman to-
day stands in the front rank Of many OF the
ayocations of man, and her intellectually
is reflected in the government of many na-
tons OF the worlds highest civilization
Much of the cream of our public and pm
yate libraries are the emaratlons from her
brain. She is found in all climes ex erting
her influence and expending her energies
In heather countries--living sacrifices to
the cause of the civilization and evangell-
zation Of the world.
Pure women, possessing all the attributes
of grace and embodying the better I'M
pulses of the human race, inspires man to
his loftiest aspirations. Were 1t not for
the purity and loveliness of woman, man
would not be what be is-with woman goes
sentiment, and the swaying Of her wonder,
full influence over man develops all the
better impulses Of his nature and lifts him
up to a higher state. II there IS one thing
in the world which appeals to ali the purel
emotions of emotions Of mans soul, if there
is one thing which commands his highest
regard, and which he reveres more than the
bonds of fraternal brotherhood, it is the
name of woman. And
"Oh woman, in our hour of ease,
Uncertain, coy and hard to please,
And variable as the shade
By the light quivering aspire made,
When pain and anguish wiring the brow
A ministering angel, thou