The leader., 1903-06-03

contend. Does this problem exist
alone for the men to solve, and
have you no part of the burden?
by all means you have a duty
here. You represent the highest
type of Southern woman6ood,
therefore there is no need to urge
you to take the stand that the New
Orleans women did at the time of
the Woman's Surffage Convention
in that city. You glory in the
pre-eminent supremacy of the
white race, and whether you are
in the parlors of Washington or
elsewhere, you will uphold South
ern womanhood as only Southern
women can.
Now let us examine the social
conditions of our own towns with
reference to your responsibility.
We all know that men and women
are naturally gregarious animals
that they will flock together and
seek companionship of one anoth-
err. Where they 60, what they do
and say, when thus together, in
dictates their social status. think
our own town is representative
place, so it shall serve as an illus
tration. Where do the men and
women of this place congregate
for companionship? Each Sun
day some of them 60 into the
churches, but hardly for compan-
ionship, SO that our churches
can hardly be considered social
features. The men formerly had
a club, where they sought to enjoy
the pleasures of life in friendly
intercourse. Fortunately this So
cial feature has disappeared and a
more honorable association of men
has taken its place. But the men
are still to be seen floating around
the drug stores, the barber shops
and the depot.
Now where do the women meet?
Brookhaven boasts a whist club,
and occasionally l hear of dance
at some private home. Then our
ladies make their round of formal
calls, leaving their cards when
they are so fortunate as to find the
hostess out. And lastly there are
great bargain days and the shop
ping in our big stores, where the
ladies can congregate and enjoy
themselves together. All of these
features, you will say, are harm
less. But, ladies', I want to ask
you if they are as helpful, enjoy
able and beneficial as they might
be. There is great work to be
done for our town, and so much
time and energy are being wasted
in aimless chatting and gossip,
that might be utilized to the great
est advantage. | appeal to you
women, who are leaders, can you
allow the.energies of the women of
our. town to lie dormant when
their social and moral influence is
so powerful? Don't you know
that you women have the power
to do anything you wish with this
town, by bringing your united in
fuence to bear upon the men. In
union there is strength. Unite
for a worthy. beneficial purpose.
Organize into a society which
your social desires shall be salts
fed and in which you shall be do
ing some great good at the same
time. In adjoining towns there
are floral clubs, music and literary
clubs, wnhele something tangible
is accomplished. In Lincoln, Ne
braska, the women organized for
the purpose of improving and de-
veloping the streets and the gener
al appearance of the town.
Through their efforts Lincoln
has become like flower garden,
perfectly kept. Has this town
no need for such an organization?
Are our streets clean and free
from paper, boxes and waste ma
terial! Do the streets ever get
dusty? Are the back yards tidy
and kept in good sanitary condi-
ton? Why, tell you, the work
to be done here is gigantic. The
filth stands in the bitches in the
streets, fever and disease spread
through the town, and there is
no warning voice heard. There
is an ordinance to prevent cattle
running at large, but hundreds of
dollars are still spent building
fences to keep the cows out of the
front flower garden. Ladies, I
ask you again, is there no work
for you to do? Unite your
strength, organize against these
evils, and demand that they be
remedied. You can have sewer
age put into your town, you can
have the streets sprinkled, yon
can have the streets kept clean
and wholesome, you can have an
arbor day and trees planted along
the side walks of every street in
the town. You can establish
prize for the prettiest front yard
and the neatest back yard, and you
can do away with the fences. The
women of the town are the power
behind the throne; it lies in your
reach to change the whole appear
ance of this place, if you will
take the stand. Can you deny
that you have the ability and the
power to do this? | know that
you are conscious that all I have
said is true.
But it is not only in appear
ance, but in the deeds and acts of
H. 4bok @I,oro