Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-09
THE NEWS OF NORFOLK PAGES TWO THREE AND FVF

| iN'ioi cdn uraW no more beautiful pic
lure than that presented around the
fireside of a happy home. l believe
that In that sacred spot called moth
ecs room the most perfect form of
human feeling exists, that around it
al human institutions converge. and
mat from it eminate the most power
iul forces of humanity. for il is there
mat we first hear the gentle voice of
woman and feel the tender touch of a
mothers hand-the hand that shapes
the destiny of the world. 1t is indeed
ciVlllzation's highest sanctuary and II is
thefe that woman stands forth as the
queen OF humanity in all the glory of
her royal palace.
But this is not the only picture that
ueHandS our consideration. for millions
oi the noblest women that the world
mas ever seen have never met the part
ner that was created for them. and
nave never had happy homes over
winch they could preside with honor to
themselves and honor TO posterity
thousands have been deceived in the
men they have married and out i'm the
cold calculating world we see them
struggling for the honorable support of
themselves and their families.
hundreds of thousands of the brave
young women, whose bright smiles
GLADDEN. this old worlds heart are
forced TO provide for their own wants
uniii some worthy youth volunteers his
strong arm. These are some OF the
stern realities of love that confront us
IL matters not where we turn these
are the cold facts that are revolution
izing thought, brushing aside false
theories and sentimental arguments
ana bringing the civilized world to a
true sense OF its duty to woman.
The wisest and most benefcient
legislation of our century has given
TO woman the full enjoyment OF prop
erty rights in nearly every State in
the Union, and 1t requires no prophetic
vision TO see that in a short time
SIMPLE justice will demand that the
doors OF every public institution OF
learning she is taxed TO support will be
thrown open to receive her
The pen of the historian can draw
no more pathetic picture of depression
and anguish and desolate homes
than that portrayed by a true nc
count of the years that followed the
downfall of our storm Graded nation
when the noble women of the Sunny
South, who had been reared in the
lap of luxury. nurtured i'll the arms
OF tender care and educated only for the
enjoyment of a life of ease were thrust
out upon the world they had been
taught to shun, of the cruel ways OF
which their pure souls knew nothing,
doing all that love could do. that devo-
ton could suggest, or that affection
could prompt, struggling against the
great odds to obtain the necessities of
life l have often pictured in my imag-
in ton the sad scenes of these dark
days and have been tempted to question
the justice and the mercy of God, but
when look around this stage upon this
new and beautiful picture of life and re-
member that the fair daughters of the
South who composed it have Just COM
pleted their college course at an insti-
tuition that has for many years been
an ornament and 81 credit to our city
l begin to understand the true mean
ing of the first picture, and to see that
IL was necessary for the innocent of
one generation to suffer in order to
bring the South to a, true sense OF the
duty resting upon her to provide to the
future for that broad and liberal edu-
cation of her daughters which alone can
prepare them to face the responsibilities
of life. confident Of their own abilities
to succeed and able to demand Just and
adequate compensation for the free and
Independent application Of their powers
An education that teaches young wo-
men to be independent, self-respect ting
workers is condition precedent not
only to her happiness. but to her safe
ty. In every instance where woman
mas come into contact with the mate
rial world she has vastly improved its
condition When I go forth each
morning into the busy world and be-
hold the cheerful countenance. the
bright eye. the neat attire, the modest
manner the self respecting dignity of
the educated and refined American
girl of to-day, who is not ashamed to
work and is willing to face the criti-
cism of society in order that she no
longer be burden upon her family, l
cannot believe that freedom of action
and freedom of choice will ever dimin-
ish those inexhaustable fountains of
love. the springs whereof is the mys-
terry of womanhood."
YALE"
At the close of Mr.. Venable's address
Miss Mary Julia Bunting spoke the
valedictory. Her effort was an ablc
one. her subject being Facts and Fan
cies." When she had finished the di-
plomas were presented to the graduates
by Prof. Winston. and as they receiv-
ed them, the ushers brought in bo-
quets and presents OF various kinds
overwhelming each one OF the young
ladies with these testimonials from
friends and relatives.
Before the benediction by DIR. Young.
Captain Roper made n short talk. as
mentioned above, explaining the cause
of the college closing. In his remarks
Captain Roper paid high tribute to
the past faculties of the college and its
great usefulness.