The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-08

The following brilliant response was made by Mrs. Sterling A. Wood of Bir- mingham to the address of welcome at the meeting of the federation:
 The club women of Alabama appreciate and heartily thank you for the words of welcome which have been so beautifully and cordially extended to us through your representative and your distinguished mayor
 It is easily acknowledged that your city leads in advanced thought in the state of Alabama. And, consequently. it would be strange. indeed, if the club women of Alabama did not enjoy breathing the at- mosphere which has brought about your leadership.
 Personally, your speaker feels a little embarrassment at being welcomed to Tuscaloosa. As she looks around your city she scarcely finds a gate-except the very new ones, whose hinges have not creaked under the strain of her youth-there is scarcely a sidewalk which has not re- echoed to her step, and she finds that the very trees, under whose shade she used to rest in times gone by seem to
 
 greeting. But l will not tell you just what they say to woman with her first grey hairs whom they knew as care free girl.
 The position she occupies among you is an unusual one. Not only is she mem- Der of visiting club-to which fact Is due her assignment to speak to you to- night-but she is also, in spirit and in in- terest a member of each and every or s.l. .... to the welfare of Tuscaloosa.
 As some of you, or your mothers doubt less recall, she came among you in long dresses and she went away from you in long dresses. In fact, just arter she hau worn the longest dress of her life. How ever there was a difference of a quarter of century in the cut and style of those dresses, and her residence with you for | that length of time served to endear to her for all time the place and the people. The club women of Alabama are glad | to be here with you in Tuscaloosa each l one is glad to be here. The fame of the culture and refinement of your city, the
 beauty and hospitality of it's women, the | chivalry of its men, has gone out far be-
 yond the limits of our state. | In a metropolis the hurry and hustle, | the feversh rush after wealth and posi- | tion take away in a measure the joy | and comfort of living. But Tuscaloosa is
 large enough to be wide-awake and pros- porous and progressive, and yet small enough to be healthy and happy. and to take a personal interest in the welfare of its individual citizen. It Is an ideal place | in which to live, a charming place in which to visit.
 Here are busy industries, giving employ
 ment to many. here are fine schools and colleges, both private and public; here is the State University. which sends forth
 each year brave sons and fair daughters nobly equipped to do battle for the right. Here. too. is that great and merciful in-
 stitution for the distraught in mind-giv- Ing healing to many and rest and protec-
 tion to all of its Inmates. Here is the | old state capitol building, bringing Q thrill
 to the hearts of every loyal son and
 daughter of Alabama. The place is rich
 and teeming with vital interests and its
 charm reaches out and envelopes the veriest stranger in your midst. Tuscaloosa has been named the City of | Oaks, but it might well be called the | City of Clubs. There are gentlemen s | clubs and ladies clubs and young ladies | clubs and children's clubs. Away back | in the io's, so far as we now recall. she | organized the first and best literary clut