The Portland daily press., 1896-07-16

she was everywhere appreci and
recognized, though God alone could place
her scryioes at its true value. The work
of woman has been a power in emergen-
cies and always for good. In calamity
and distress she has ever been helpful
and heroic. Not only have some of the
brightest pages of our national history
been illuminated by her splendid ex-
ample and noble efforts, for the public
good, but her influences in the homo,
church, school and community, in hold
ing character for every profession and
duty to which our race is called, has been
potential and sublime.
sit is the quiet and peaceful walks of
life where her power is greatest and
most beneficial. One of the tenderest
passages to me. In the works of John
Stuart Mill, is one that beautifully ex-
presses this thought. 1t is recorded IN
his autobiography, when he paused to nay
a high and deserved tribote TO his wife,
Of whom he could not speak too much.
''ae said: She was not only the au-
thor of many of the best things did, but
she inspired every good thing did,
Many men here are from whom
frankness would not withhold, but conn
mand like expression of obligation to
woman, wife, mother. sister, friends. ZAP
plsuse.) One of the best things of our
civilization in America Is the constant
edvancementsof woman to a higher plane
OF labor and responsibility. Opportuni-
ties for her are creator DOW than ever be-
fore. This is singularly true here, while
practically every avenue Of human en-
deavor Is open to her.
"Her impress is felt In art, science,
literature, song and government. Our
churches, our schools, our charities, our
professions. our general business inter-
ests are more than ever each year, direct
ed by her. Respect for woman kind
has become with us national charao-
teristic, and what high and manly
trait it is. None nobler nor holier, it
stamps the true gentleman. The man
who loves AWlfe and mother and home,
will respect and revere all womankind.
"He Is always the better citizen for
| such breeding. The home over which the
trusted wife presides, is the ideal of our
strength, the best guarantee of good oiti-
zenship and sound morals in govern
mept. 1t is at the foundation upon
| which all else is constructed. From the
| plain, American home, where virtue
dwells and truth abides, go forth the
| men and women who make the great
states and cities which adorn our re-
public, which maintain law and order,
and that citizenship which aims at the
public welfare, its common good OF all.
| (Applause.)
i congratulate you upon what woman
| has done for the grand and noble OBJ
| jects in the past / rejoice with you at
| the wider and broader tield of the pres
ent and the splendid vista of the future
| which ia everywhere opening up for you.
| again thank you for your presence, and
for this manifestation of your regard
| and good will. Some one has said that
women mold the future as mothers and
govern the present as wives. Mr.. MoKin.
ley and / will be most happy to meet and
greet you one and ALL" (Applause.)
When the Major had fnishod Miss
Bidolle Switzer of Cleveland, presented
Mrs. Mckinley with large basket Of
roses. The band, composed of women,
truck up and song written for the
occasion, was sung by Mrs. Mary Ellis
worth Clark. The women fell into line
while the band was playing and for
nearly three-quarters of an hour Major
Mckinley shook hands with his visitors.
There were no professional female agi-
tations or reformers among the hundreds
who came to Canton today. The wom-
en- represented the hest culture and So
ciety and the most refined homes OF
Cleveland.
MIR. Mckinley may go to Cleveland to-
morrow to ID cot tho merpb bers of the ma
ii onal executive committee.