The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-05-03
THE SOCIAL SCIENTISTS.
Three Hundred Ladies' Present at the Big
Meeting at Leavenworth.

Meeting at Leavenworth.
LlAvENwoRTH, May 3.-The social
science federation is under full headway
here with over 300 delegates present
The meetings are being held as the
First Congregational church.
Mrs. Laura E. Scanmon's welcoming
address as president was on the subject
of indlvidualism The speaker said ludi-
vidualism was recent growth. For ages
the world was made up OF few magnates
The woman belonged TO the man, and
the man to master and he to the king.
All were under one and that often the
one least fitted to rule. Life Was cheap.
The word of a gentleman" OUT
weighed that of many menials. The
penalty for killing a Wlld boar was
death.
Even in this country one-half of the
race was given over body, brain and soul
to the other half. IT was during the last
half century only that the rights of indI-
vidualism were asserted and vindicated.
E'The one has been detached from the
many and independent responsible self
hood has been developed. Now self
development is regarded as the supreme
object of life.
But. the speaker went on to say, per-
sonal freedom was not an unmIxed good
1t might lead to excess OF dignity, TO d DIS
would evolve not in greatness but in odd
ity, and genius would pass into eccen-
trlcities which would obscure its bright
est ray.
The culture of self was privilege
AID duty, but the law of use made all
gifts worthless unless they were actively
employed. Power, truth, wisdom, even
goodness, if boarded only for personal
benefit ike the mama of the children of
Israel-a worthless thing
To give away material things or that.
which costs no sacrifice was the cheapest
poorest kind of charity. One must put
herself in the place of those she would
assist. How to reconcile self culture
with the helping of others? that was the
problem.
Mrs. Scammon then drew a telling pic
ture of the life of the poor and unfortu-
nate and of what might be done for them
if the right means were used.
The undeveIoped, the uncultivated
may be massed together but they cannot
combine; it takes high development to
form a bond of union, and high pur
pose to cement that bond The intellect
lights the torch by which souls see and
recognize each other.
The poor and ignorant must by the
spirit of loving kindred be uplifted.
A brilliant reception, whicn was great
ly enjoyed by the members of the ieder-
alton, was given from 6 to SO o'clck in
the evening at the Soldiers Home. Mrs.
Smith received the guests and was as
sisted by Mrs. E. N. Morrill, and Mrs
Scammon.
The assembly hall was handsomely
decorated with flags, draped and fes-
/ tooned from the ceiling, and the floor
was covered with rugs. On the stage
was the orchestra, led by Prof. Meyrelles,
and in front of them was a screen of
] large plants, (palms, rubber plants and
| fernsl Some excellent music was dis
| coursed by the orchestra during the pro-
! ceedings A profusion of flowers adorned
the hall
Delicious refreshments were served at
quartette tables and a number of young
ladies' from the citya ssisted in serving.
: The guests numbered two hundred, all
| in reception toilettes.
| Near the close of the entertainment
/ Governor Smith addressed the ladies in
his usual happy manner At the con-
clusion of his remarks the guests gave
three hearty cheers for the Governor and
| Mrs Smith.
Later in the evening the young ladies
present and a number of gentlemen
| friends from the city had dance.
Today many interesting papers are
| being read.