The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-02
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AN INTERESTING
Commended for Isecosnition OF

Speaker Contcnded for Recognition Of
The Silent Caus;,i Force of Woman
III Fixin. the Dcstinics OF Ma
tions-Examples from History.
Mr. 1Algernon B. Chandler. Jr., schol-s
arly young Virginlan, an alumnus of the
University of Virginia, lectured before.
! the Womans Club last night. His
theme was Woman in History. and
his audience, a representative and cul-
tured one, .om the ranks of the club
and their male friends, who were adj
mitted last night by special dispensation
Of the club rules. 1t was delightful
evening. The lecture occupied an hour,
but the minutes passed swiftly. at the
beginning Mrs. J. s. Iialyburton. cores
pondins secretary of the club. introduced
Mr.. Chandler in few graceful sem
fences.
The lecture elected the tribute of APP
| plause at many passages. Especially
complimentary were the demonstrations
when the speaker, in eloquent and appre-7
ciative words. ascribed the greatness of
the reign of Pericles in his wife, Aspasia.
and rccounted the stirring story of Joan
OF Arc, and recalled the ignominy of her
end.
Mi. Chambers lecture was apreciative.
rather than critical; 4 recognition and
pointing out TO others the inherent great
ness Of woman's soul, instead of an
| analysis of her moral and mental quail
ties. He spoke mainly of universal wo-
| man, introducing, indeed, a few pre-emi-
nent feminine figures Of history, but
| more to illustrate than to dissect.
HIS DEFINITION.
History, in the accepted sense, is a mar
native of events biography. From the
lecturers point Of view, history is two
fold: record, and the recognition as
we'll of the silent causal forces preced-
ing action. Woman is the most potent
of the silent forces. and the most bene-
fetal. He adduced a striking illustra-
ton: Christ Jesus founded the only uni.
versal empire. It is based on love, and
shall never fade Woman's historical
empire is more like this divine empire
of beneficent and universal sway, all
though no sword IS held within her
grasp, Or pen to write the doom of men.
Mercy and se!f-sacritice and love are the
only weapons, and these do not destroy.
And the empire which these virile forces
create is no less real and great because
we cannot map it's confines or see Its
forms or. understand its power Nor does
it contribute the less to real history be-
cause we do not find the story of its life
and growth recorded IN the human an
nails Of the books"
Napoleon. Caesar, Alexander lived, con-
uuered and died. They were merciless.
No woman figured in the councils Of
those rulers.
WOMEN IN HISTORY.
Examples of the influence OK woman in
history were adduced from religious and
profane records: The beautiful story Of
Ruth and Naomi, sublime in ''fadeless
nf Yrcciico1
pathy;;" Mary, the mother of Jesus, "the
source of the one greatest event which
stands without rival in history the
home of Mary and Martha. $ the earthly
Mecca of the Master, and its priceless
jewels these two women, ceaseless in min
istrations of sacrifcial love"
Passing to ancient profane history, the
lecturer painted an enchanting picture of
the greatness and splendor of the reign
of Pericles. "TIistorians call it the age
of Pericles, but prefer that it shall bear
the name of his cultured wife. whose
brilliant leadership. both in state-craft
and in letters. excited the admiration of
the world, and whose gracious favor was
-courted by every living statesman need
ing counsel for his darling projects. !.
Even Socrates declared that he learned
eloquence of her.
Cleopatra's varied exploits were re-
called for their influence upon the his
tory of her time. The disasters attend
ing Roman rulers who loved her were
traced to her as to central figure.
Ten centuries later Providence raised
up Joan of Arc to be Frances deliverer,
so that British valor withdrew in defeat.
Charles was king and France was free"
Before leaving the continent the lee
turer was constrained to recall Empress
Maria Teresa, "excelled in her wisdom as
a ruler only by England's mighty queens.
and by no earthly sovereign in the innate
qualities of her heart and the masculine
force of her-presente."
Crossing the channel. England's long
line of Queens was dwelt on briefly, the
speaker declaring them "the most bril-
liant of all from the Anglo-Saxon Con-
quest to the present hour.
GILMAN IN AMERICA.
In speaking of the deeds of American
women and the influence Of home in
constructing the progressive splendor of
our nations power. the lecturer reached
the final climax of his argument. "for
home is the nations palladium of de-
Tense. and the family the Herculean pill
lar of the State''