The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-21

The ladies-bless their hearts! "have
been a popular masculine toast for come
time-slnce. indeed. primitive days in that
garden Of Eden. where grew the fatal
apple tree Within the last quarter Of
century. however, the genus man has be-
gun TO qualify his toast with a blessing
on their minds. having had increasing
reason. as the doors were opened more
ana more broadly 10 her effort, TO respect
81 a q potent factor in the success OF
some OF the enterprises which are most
crcditable 20 the world to-day. Woman,
accustomed one hundred years ago TO be
the ductile creature Of all the soft quail
ties. and TO be valued in proportion 20 her
sOftness. has fulfilled Mrs. Brownings
prophecy In Aurora Leigh and become
competent TO spell" Recent telegraphic
dispatches announced one OF the latest
and largest enterprises to whose rescue
the women Of the country have come
with a vigorous protest against failure.
This is the establishment in the city OF
Washington Of great national univer-
sity along the lines suggested by Presi-
dent Washington. The ladies who have
taken hold of the project belong 10 the
class Of workers I'm whose lexicon there
Ia no such word as fail. They have made
a practical and rational beginning by
seeking 20 raise the first $4,000 neces-
sary for the erection of an administra-
ton building, TO form the nucleus OF
the university, and hope to be able 10
lay the cornerstone on February -, 1899
Their purpose in tho interim is 10 urge
the matter continuously on the attention
OF women all over the country. They
intend, likewise 10 interest all the school
children in the work. AS a first step
toward awakening interest in the under
taking they will assemble In convention
i'm Washington on December 18th, to de-
eide on ways and means for arousing
pubic sentiment
with this in view Mrs. Susanna Phelps
Gage. of Ithaca, y. Y, secretary Of tie
George Washington Memorial Comm ttee,
has issued hundreds Of circulars Wh@se
contents are as follows:
In this early work OF the commit ee,
upon the George Washington Memorial,
the effort Is made 10 secure the co opera
lion OF the great educational ana l'atrio-
tic organizations OF women. IN order 'tst,
By utilizing the forces already existent,
gel cral and effective moveraen- may be
made
The facts which we would have known
are these: that Washington by his will
left a bequest OF $4,000 for the foundation
of a national university; that the bequest
would now equal nearly S4.5oOOOO IL cared
for as he designated. that this bequest
was allowed 10 lapse and that the need
of a university for research and inves-
tigauon Is nearly as great as one hundred
years ago.
The committee OF one hundred. COM
posed of leading men in educational cir
cles, has the matter in charge and has
repeatedly brought it before Congress.
THE women of the country, recognize
ing the great obstacle TO the friction of
the work a. be popular ignorance OF his
tOric fact. have set themselves TO arouse
interest in the bcQucst. and the purpose.
To attain definite results, definite aim
has been set. Therefore, the committee
propose 10 raise $4,000 for q memorial
building, TO be used as an Adminstra-
ton Building for the University OF the
United States. as the national university
is to be called
1t is hoped that this object will so APP
peal TO your patriotism and interest in
higher education that your influence may
be freely accorded to its support, and
that you will devote a programme in the
early winter 20 the subject Of such
university.
'Win you join I'm thus making ready
for a fitting celebration of February y.
1895 that 10 may bee the Offering Day"
Of the Nation when he selections from
WashinptOns will may he read end a
fund secured toward its realization in
the George Washington Memorial? Thus
We may prepare for a suitable com
mcmoration OF the one hundredth ami
vcrsary OF his death on December w.
1899
ON December 14-16th OF this year a
meeting is called I'm Washington. ID. c..
10 discuss plans for this work. You are
most cordially invited TO send accredited
delegates TO take part in the delibera-
lions.
This ends the circular. Mrs James
Lyons, constituting the cOmmitteo-at-
large for Virginia. Will appoint her dele
gates within the next week. The head
quarters of the committee will be at the
Raleigh. Pennsylvania avenue. Washing
ton. ID. C.. The ladies will be met by a
committee from the Senate, who will es-
cort them, through the various Govern
rnent DEPARTMENTS, and on the evening
OF the 10th, there viii be 4 grand BAN
quet
Among the ladies prominently identi-
tied with the movement are Miss Ellen
A. Richardson. Copiey Square, Boston;
Mrs. Phoebe A. Hearst, of California;
Mrs. William T. Carter OF Pennsylvania;
Mrs. William Reed. of Maryland Mrs.
Alice d. Castleman. Of Louisville, KY;
Mrs A. IL Fosdick OF Alabama; and
Mrs. Ri. X Mcneil OF South Carolina,
and Mrs. Van Leor Kirkman, or Ten
nesscC
Among the Organizations interested are
the National Council OF Women, Mrs.
Mary Lowe Dickinson. president; Wo-
mems Christian Temperance Union, Mrs.
Frances Willard. president the General
Federation OF WOmcns Clubs, Mrs. Ell
len 81. HcnrOtin, president: Daughters
American Revolution Mrs Ellen Hard
In WalwOrth, chairman. Columbian
Daughters OF America. Mrs. John Quincy
Adams president; Kings Daughters,
Mrs. Margaret Bottome, president. With
the circular letter is also enclosed an
outline OF tho memorial presented to the
United States Senate by John w. Hoyt.
setting forth the purpose and need of
National University. and printed ex-
tract from the proceedings OF the thirty
nth University Convocation including a
paper by Mrs Gage entitled "rhe Need
OF a National University In It's Relation
10 the Common Schools" Already keen
interest has been awakened in the move
ment for the reason that women will be
admitted 10 the University
lfxs. Ellen A. Richardson. OF Boston,