Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-05-31
Mothers Congress.


oil in order to hustle my copy in to tn
REPUBLICAN week ago, before every
body had exhausted the catalogue o
witty and sarcastic and pleasant thing
that might be said about the Mothers
Congress. So full have been the news
paper notes, SO many and varied thu
comments. that to the reader of tn,
daily paper there now seems little lef
to say. My own thought is, however
that after the funny man has had his
joke, and the very smart man his sneer
and the "lord of the realm" man has
sighed to his hearts content for the
good old time mothers who stayed al
home" there will yet be left to the
memory CT this congress great monu-
ment of true and good and beautiful
things which have awakened new
thought in many minds and which must
move to action and application and have
very desirable practical results.
Des Moines put on her gala dress for
this occasion. Many of the large stores
we're draped with congress colors and
windows in displaying their wares pre-
sented many a warm welcome" and
many beautiful home groups. Des
Moines women we're we'll organized and
managed all the details Of that immense
gathering with method and dispatch.
The social functions were well managed
and delightful reception at the
capitol by Governor and Mrs. Shaw,
where the state dignitaries were drawn
up in line to shake hands and smile upon
the mothers individually and in groups
was the first. Governor Shaw returned
from Chicago that evening to be present
He had good word to say of Audubon
and her people, when it came my turn to
put out my hand, referring to several Of
his friends here and the pleasure he
missed by not meeting with the guests,
invited and univited, Of dinner party
here last winter. A carriage drive over
the city Wednesday and trolley car
ride Friday were full of interest and
enjoyment. A tea given by the Womens'
clubs of Des Moines was very elegant in
its dainty appointments, its beautiful
dresses aud its display of social hospital
ity. The great interest OF the congress,
however, centered in the programs. The
interest increased from day to day and
the local attendance became SO large
that it was necessary to have an overflow
meeting where the same papers were
read to the hundreds who failed to get
in the auditorium.
On first entering the auditorium Mon
lay night we were lost in admiration Of
the graceful draping and festooning OF
The congress colors about the stage and
boxes in which hundreds of yards OF
pink and blue bunting had been used.
The State band had seats on the stage
and furnished music for the evening.
Elk Governor jackson welcomed the
to the state in most eloquent
and finished speech. but at it's close
The president corrected the impression
that the congress does not advocate the
higher education for women. We do
believe they should have this and more
also. We believe in an educated parent
hood as well, and would place it before
the scientific and philosophic for both
men and women. Mayor Hartenbower
gave the welcome in behalf Of the city,
our president of the Iowa Federation,
Tor womens' clubs; and Mrs. Hills for
Iowa mothers. Mrs. Hills spoke with
much enthusiasm of the work OF Iowa
in the future. In the past year
62I mothers clubs have been organized
in Iowa representing at least 2l,0O0
women. We are proud Of our bright and
Iowa children. Our statistics
are not more appalling than other states
but when we take the immense number
Of insane and feeble minded and crippled
that the state cares for every
year and we consider that God never in
tended that child should come into the
world halt or lame or blind-that there
is always some parental influence or con-
dition that fastens this affliction upon it,
then indeed we cry out for an educated
and conscientious motherhood which
may understand the laws OF nature and
prevent their abuse and perversion.
All through the convention Mrs. Hills
was received with the utmost considera-
ton and Difference. The work she has
been doing in Iowa the past year is
as great one, a veritable
labor of love.
Mrs. Mears, of New York. the daugh-
ter of Iowa's J. b. Grinnell, responded
Tor the east very beautifully. She is
one of the brightest women engaged in
this work and quite delighted her
audience by her beautiful thought and
well rounded sentences. Mrs. Allen, Of
Salt Lake City, responded Tor the west.
She exalted the enterprise and progress
Of the west, the sturdy strength and
large heartedness Of her people, but de-
plored the growing tendency to hold the
bond of marriage lightly. What the
west needs more than the richness Of
her mountains or the development OF
her fields, is the publication Of her home
life, the sancitity OF the marriage rela-
ton, holy of holies" for father and
mother and child. Mrs. Gotten repre-
sented the south and Miss Marsh the
north, both speaking Of motherhood as
the highest function Of womanhood, and
child study as recognized science
which promises to revolutionize the
Il