Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-05

we like and have most pleasant memories
OF the beautiful buildings with their
graceful outlines and yet so noble in
design and proportion.
10 which building should we first
direct our steps? We had been the dav
before to the Woman S building, but only
Tor our press meeting which had en-
crossed our time and thought, and having
caught passing glimpse of its attrac.
lions, we naturally desired to more partic-
ularly note its exterior and interior
features. 1t was designed and planned
by Miss Elise Mercur Of Pittsburg, Pa,
and in its elevation of 932 feet above the
sea level, and surrounded by terraces.
parks and fountains is indeed beautiful
Tor situation" and may well be said to be
the joy of the visiting ladies at Atlanta
We did not feel disposed, as we looked
up at its rich frieZcs and cornices (the
material being of cement plaster of snowy
whiteness) noting on the roof balustrade
the figures symbolic of woman and her
power, and, higher up to the dome with
its statue of Immortality, to doubt the
general verdict, even before we had com
| pared them, that there was no handsomer
building on the exposition grounds, and
we were glad that it is likely to be a per
manent object of interest and beauty in
Atlanta
Passing up the broad steps and through
the c0lonnado of CoriDthian columns en-
closing the portico, we find ourselves
in the spacious reception hail. and here
we sit down for few moments to collect
our scattered thoughts.
We should not be permitted to see the
president of the board of women mana
gers, Mrs. Joseph Thompson nor Mrs.
Lulie Gordon, the chairman of the
woman's congresses, but we had seen the
vice chairman, Mrs. Cox, the wife of one
of Atlanta 5 leading lawyers who had in
PRODUCED the presiding officer of our n f.
W. 2. A exercises.
We had heard her gracious welcome,
| and had seen in her representative
Southern woman, and in a subsequent
conversation during the lunch hour, had
| remembered how gentleman had
answered the query What was the pref
test thing you saw at the Worlds Fair
in these words "the smile of Mrs.
Potter Palmer We wondered if in later
days and weeks we might not answer in
the same way, substituting the name of
our winsome friend of the previous after
noon. And, by the by, we believe that
the women of the South have very much
our own personal convictions regarding
woman S work, when done in Il thorough
| ~ womanly way, and very little sym
patty with her or her accomplishments
when she attempts the masculine role
and drops her feminine individuality in
the tasks to which she sets her hand In
various pleasant interviews with the
ladies of different Southern states while
comparing ideas of work we were
strengthened in our past impressions and
confess to feeling of pride that woman
is able to accomplish So much in every
direction, first and most important of all,
| in the home and the church in philan
tbropic, educational, artistic and social
circles but we wish that at once and for
ever, the new woman theory could be
exploded. Whether the term first came
| into being from the lips of some of our
own sex. or as an utterance by pen or
voice of certain knights Of the quill who
| are always on the alert for some startling
phrase upon which they may ring the
changes that please a careless public,
| we know not, but we wish that it. and its
twin companion the striking sex may
speedily be buried beyond the possibility
of a resurrection. There were Marys and
Marthas and Queen Esthers in the olden
DAYS and the true woman Of today I'm her
increased capabilities for being and doing,
belongs to the same type of womanhood,
and whether single, or the helper of some
chosen companion, should he allowed
peaceably to add her efforts, whether
the product Of brain or hand, TO the bet
torment of the world and the uplifting of
humanity.
Looking around us we remember that
the expenses of the exhibit in the Wo-
mans building aside from a small appro-
Irritation, have been borne by women. We
can only briefly mention some of the
things most interesting to Us.
The states of Massachusetts, and New
York in the wings running east and west
from the reception hall, add choice ex
bibits to those of the Southern states.
Had we not seen so much to delight us
in the wonderful displays of neealework,
wherein satins and embroidery silks made
combinations seemingly too beautiful for
human hands to have wrought, canoes
and portraits, whence faces look out at
one. lacking only the power to speak, and
numerous other attractions, we should
perhaps. have realized the truth, consider
/ ing the early history and rich treasures of
the states whose exhibits we saw, OF 4
remark made by a Virginia woman,
ssTaking away our relics for the colonial
room has ruined our state collections.
We. however, saw no lack and We're glad