Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-12
MOTHERS CONGRESS
The Plans for This Great Project Are
Maturing.
LETTERS FROM ALL SECTIONS RECEIVED
A Growing interest Aroused Among
American Women.
EN- TIL SIASTIC INTEREST

Wider and deeper interest than ever
seems to be attracted by the project Of
holding in Washington in the near future a
national congress of mothers. Mrs. 7. w.
Birney of this city. who proposed the plan
and who Is pushing the Idea forward to cul-
mination, is daily in receipt of letters from
all parts Of the country assuring her of the
cooperation of some of the best known and
most energetic women in America But her
correspondence on this line Is not strictly
limited to her own sex. as the following
note, received the other day from Mr.. Chas.
Dudley Warner, the famous author and
writer social questions, will testify:
From the names enlisted in your work,
and the apparent spirit that animates
them, I do not doubt that this movement
will be of great service to the cause of true
womanhood."
Prof G. Stanley Hall of Clark University,
Worcester, Mass, also wrote: Your work
has my most hearty sympathy and praise"
Letters From Women.
. But the letters that throw light on the
probable success of the projected congress
come, of course, from women. Mrs. Helen
Campbell of Campbell. Cincinnati. lead
ing worker among her sex, wrote as fol-
lows: Nothing could seem more vital and
nothing would more heartily enlist my SYM
pathy and effort than your proposed con-
gress in February. l go in a few days to
Boston for work in three sections of the
home congress, and later as chairman of
the committee on household economics of
the national council of women. and in both
l shall have opportunity to talk of the plan.
The friend with whom live goes with me
for work in the same congress, Mrs. kath-
crime Westendorf, who is known to special
lists as a singularly successful soul de-
n defective children
trainer for fifteen years of kindergarten
teachers. You will find her an invaluable
suggestor and helper. We propose to print
a small circular describing the work to be
done, and have a called meeting for the
formation of a Mothers Club directly on
cur return from Boston, about November l.
We shall be glad to keep in full touch with
your work at all points, and give it a hearty
God speed. The time is ripe for it.
Commentator From, Chicago.
Frances f. Newton of the Chicago Kin
dergarten Institute writes: 1T is needless
for me to tell you how greatly 1 rejoice
that your great, beautiful scheme is so
sure of realization. The necessity for a
mothers club in every community cannot
be too strongly emphasized, and the ways
and means thereto are as many and varied
as the people to whom the appeal must
come. But as during our civil war there
was at least one man in every neighbor-
hood ready to act as leader, with wisdom
and wit enough to appeal to those about
him in a way Enthusiastically fitted to
fire their patriotism, and to gather them
into companies and train them for serv-
Ice. so do l believe that in every place
where there are homes and mothers there
will be one woman ready to act one wo-
man whose insight and motherly longings
will lead her to realize at once that this
mothers congress Is but the outward, WIS.,
ible expression of an energy which has
been gathering force and expulsive power
throughout countless ages in the heart of
humanity 1t will make no difference to
| her that she has hitherto never felt her
| self fitted for leadership; that she is tin1id
and retiring; some voice of God within her
will tell her that she is to go forth and
| publish the news Of this epoch making
event, and she will go.
mo woman with such illumination, fired
with such purpose, will fail. Men will
| listen for the sake Of their mothers, wo-
| motherhood. All will feel that the con-
| gress had to be. and that no one is with
out responsibility concerning it, for, truly
| it concerns home. church and country. l
| believe 1t needs only an inspiring appeal
| sent to women everywhere to arouse such
| enthusiasm as not even you have dreamed
| and clubs and circles will spring up like
grass in the springtme.''
| Mrs. CrOley's Interest.
One of the most encouraging letters SO
| far received has come from Mrs. ]. A
| Croly, president Of the New York State
| Federation of Women's Clubs and Societies
who writes thus: THE object of your cir
cular is one that will enlist the sympathy
| and cooperation of many good women
| The education of the mother is particu-
| larly needed at the two extremes of the
| social scale-the very rich, who give their
children over to the care of servants. and
| the very poor, who consign them to the
| street.
Still more good will be accomplished
| by the education Of q public opinion which
of the mother, yet furnishes no aid to the
| conditions or environment necessary to the
race Improvement of offspring. The mother
is not born full-grown; she is only as old
| as her child. She grows with 1t, and needs
| the consensus Of the worlds knowledge
on this most important of all subjects to
| aid and strengthen her in her task. Cheap
| sentiment expressed in words is common
| enough; what Is needed is restraining
| and educated influence among men, and a
deeper appreciation by both men and wo-
men Of the sanctity of those relations out
| of which is perpetuated the life OF the
world, and the secret of which God has
| Contided to woman. A wonderful trust
worthy of eternal aspiration and endeavor!
No personal ambition can compare with
this in being one with God, in the father
hood and motherhood of the. world-one
with it's ministry and saving power. That
these needed influences may grow out of
your work, hope most sincerely"
"Bessie Beach" Volunteers.
Mrs. M. D. Lincoln who is well-known
among readers by her pen name Of Bessie
Beach," has taken a great interest in the
| project, as this letter from her to Mr.. Biz
ney will Indicate:
1.-The Importance of the great work, the
conception of which. I think, originated
with you, cannot be estimated. For the
study and execution Of plans which might
reach the mothers Of this country 1 have
laid aside all literary work and devoted
myself to investigation and stating the re-
suits. But how feeble and Intellectual my
efforts! To the women who have matured
plans for the practical cooperation of wo-
men the country and the world over for q
great and noble work I offer my sincere
and grateful appreciation and cordial sup
port. I will pledge myself to the humblest
service If 1 may aid In reaching the moth
ers who have no claim to motherhood in
Its truest sense. To reach these and rescue
the children, and save them from the ills
and evils Of unholy influences and cruelty
and crime. no sacrifice can be too great"
Need of Scientific Study.
Mrs. M v. O'Shea Of the Buffalo School
of Pedagogy writes thus: Our recent
studies upon the normal development of