The age-herald., 1900-05-03
ANNUAL CONVENTION IF ALABAMA
 FEDERATION IF WOMEKS CLUBS

| only in walls of affection and good fellow ship. I bring you no visible tangible key to its gate, but I give you an open sesame before which the bolts shoot back a charm | whose potency gates of brass cauld not | withstand.
 Tn eastern phrase, Our town is yours, l our homes are yours, we are yours They bid me express to you their qualification that the delightful anticipation of the last | twelve months has become a reality-a most charming reality each club woman | aversion in obeying the Scriptural injunc- l tion to hospitality, we have received the | promised blessing and entertain angels. | I would that we might return for this oc- | casion to the days of old when knights | were bold and barons held their sway-to l the days of walled cities and moated cas- l ties that we might receive you with all 1 the hospitable pomp and pageantry of l that most glorious period"
 | Mrs. McLester, in closing her beautiful 1 remarks, touched for a moment upon the l many splendid practical works undertaken 1 by the federation, in addition to the con 1 tinued self culture. It had been five years l since the federation was entertained in Birmingham, and the city feels honored in again having so representative body as the state federation within it's borders.
 Hap. Response
 Mrs Joseph G. Converse, second vice. president of the federation, responded to the hearty words of greeting. She said
 Madam President, Mrs McLester Ladies and Gentlemen:-
 'As l listened to the words which fell like translucent pearls of welcome from the 1 lips of your gifted speaker there came to me the depth, and breadth, and meaning true, in James Russell Lowels lines: The l open-handed spirit, frank and blithe of ancient hospitality that hospitality of the Orient which greets the visitor upon the l threshold and, la Jing the keys of the home ! at his feet. bids lifi thrice welcome with the words: Al. tfat we have is yours ] our hearts, our homes, 2ur altars, our se1yes-provided your mission be good That our mission is and has ever been good, needs no reteration The thought is i synonymous with our title: Federated 1 Clubs of Alabama From the moment we accepted the invitation to hold our present convention in Birmingham, our minds were filled with delightful expectancy; during the past year we have looked forward to this reunion with bright anticipation, your greeting at ones assures us that the reali- l zaton will far surpass our dreams which, in this instance, will prove not to have been the children of an idle brain, begot of nothing but vain fantasy Did I elect to follow the beaten path of platitude I could dwell at length upon the matchless magic of your city but I fear me you would say, with Hamlet twas only words words, words, and so I prefer to adhere to i the Dutch proverb: A speaking silence is DetteT tilan SenSeleSS speech. However, | beg you to believe that in our hearts we 1 feel that the brightest, and best, and 1 cleverest that has ever been said of Bir- ] mingham was none too bright, or good l or clever, and that the half has not been | told
 | Emerson says: Every great and com 1 manding movement in the annals of the i world Is the triumph of enthusiasm;' your 1 welcome is a spur to our enthusiasm and the results of this meeting will feel as- sured, be as far-reaching for womans veal as woman's sphere tself-and that is limit l less. If, perhaps, we have built our cas- ties In the air our work need not be lost: i that is where they should be built; now let us put foundations under them. With your cordial welcome ringing in our ears, echoing in our hearts the incentive to high deeds and noble aims is very great-like the mariners beacon, let nothing come be- tween us and the light For this welcome. for this hospitality, how can the federated l clubs of Alabama hope to thank you? How poorly eloquence of words translates the thoughts that crowd upon us;' We must needs seek refuge in that homely phrase, We thank you; it is brief but, be- lieve us. it's brevity is pregnant with heartfult sincerity, for, was it not Southey who said: Be brief, for it is with words as with sunbeams, the more they are con- densed the deeper they burn;' and so-we i thank you"
 | Annual Report
 Mrs. Craighead then announced the read | ing of the annual report, the connecting link between the present and the last an. nual convention. The recording secretary. | Mrs James Jackson of the Helen Keller Literary and Library association of Tus- cumbia The report of the corresponding secretary, Mrs. Willard F. Kirkbride of the Century Book club of Mobile, was then read, followed by the report of the treas l urer pro tenn, Mrs. Walter Gulley of the l Up-to-Date club of Tuscaloosa.
 l The president then announced that ow- I ing to recommendation of the executive board the report of the nominating com 1 mittee was deferred until today In it's place was substituted a report from the | educational committee by Mrs. N. F. John- ston of the Anniston Studiosis, who Is 1 chairman pro tenn. The report was very | full and complete, and well calculated to | encourage every member of the Fedora | tion to continue in their earnest efforts to raise the standard of education in Ala | bama.
 Woman's Club of Birmingham
 Among work mentioned by many clubs | throughout the state especial attention was called to the work of the educational department of the Woman's club of Bir- mingham Of this club Mrs Johnston said:
 "The last named club has at the head of
 Its educational department one of those noble women who have elevated their pro- IeSSlOn ana caused the name Of teachers
 to be held in such high esteem all over the land. Throughout the state the name of Miss Willie Allen is regarded as synony- nous with all that tends to the beauty and development of childhood and the higher education of women. The influence of such a life and such work, so exten- sive and so enduring, can never be fully estimated"
 After announcements from the chairman adjournment was taken until 10 o'clock this morning.
 Reception and Concert
 At p. m. the Woman's club of Bir- mingham rendered the visiting delegates reception at the rooms of the Commer- cal club which proved most delightful affair. The large and spacious rooms were beautifully decorated and were thrown open. The reception was largely attended
 At S:30 o'clock a delightful concert was rendered by the Treble Clef club at the Conservatory of Music which was largely attended. The programme was as fessDws: