The Oskaloosa herald., 1907-05-16
hosteasea. the Women Of oskaloo-

Sa. w
Words are always inadequate to
Ally express our appreciation OF a
good thing. and had l the tongue OF
men and angels, could not convey
to you our thanks for the very cor
dial welcome which has Just been ex-
tended to us. and our appreciation
of the painstaking effort which the
woman's Club have put forth for our
entertainment and comfort while in
your city, and for the attentions be-
slowed upon us by your citizens in
general. and for the arduous labors,
and most efficient arrangements
made by your Local Board.
As member of the Local Board
two years ago in Waterloo, know
something of the task which has
been yours; and had l come to your
city in a critical mood (which / as
sure you l have not) thinking
might pick flaw, you have fore
stalled me, for everything is most
perfect. At the same time / would
say to the women OF oskaloosa,
that we of waterloo, now know it
was an honor and privilege far be-
yond our conception at the time, and
we felt doubtless as you will feel
that our efforts were richly repaid.
When the Ladies Literary Society OF
Waterloo extended our invitation to
the Sixth Biennial to- meet in our
city we numbered just fifty members,
today we are one hundred fifty-four
and attribute our gain to the spirit
of enthusiasm which was created at
that time, both from addresses de-
livered, and the presence among us
of so many strong women, fully i'm
bued with the Club spirit. That spir-
it which cannot fail to make better
wives, mothers and citizens of us all.
I prophesy as great growth along
all lines for your club movement in
Oskaloosa. As individuals, those OF
us who were most active, received
the greatest good, and all considered
ourselves fortunate and honored to
have entertained the Federation.
For this convention is gathering of
the leaders among Club women of
our state for the purpose of mutual
help, counsel and inspiration in car
rying forward the general culture
and advancement along all lines, eth
ical and practical, of our people. If
there is any class can be said to be
most interested in advancing civili-
cation and making the next genera
tion more completely heir of all the
ages, it is the women. We. are
power that can be no longer ignored.
We are 500 900 strong, and there is
nothing we cannot accomplish If we
earnestly desire it. The woman's
clubs are an expression Of their de-
sire for the uplifting of, the race, the
machine by which we hope to dis
seminate the gems of culture, and
the leaven to permeate the whole
mass, and to inspire the individual
among our thousands of bright and
capable women to higher and better
things.
One of the great forces of med
ern civilization is cooperation. AS
individuals we do not know more,
and are no more cultured than indi-
viduals have been in the past. The
of living in this age, is
in the fact that thousands can now
claim the culture and knowledge
that was possible only for the few
in the years that have gone before,
And the glory of this age is the po-
sition of woman, her advancement
to a position at least equal to man
in opportunity, education and ideals.
This point of advantage carries with
it it's duties, one of them is to wor-
thily occupy this position; advance
it for your successors, help in the
uplifting Of the coming generation
and to realize in life our aspirations
and ideals. For that purpose we
are gathered here. We have brought
together our best and most inspiring
leaders, to consult, to try out our
plans, and through our scattered
clubs, each in its own community, to
work out these plans in practice, fol
the identifying of their own lives
and those around them. 1t is a priv
ilege, which / hope no one will fai
to appreciate, to be able to attend
these meetings. They will result In
great good to the Individual
sustaining force in time of diseour
agement; an inspiration to further
and more sustained effort; for truel
education for our children; pnrei
lives for our communities, and more
beautiful homes and more ideal Lives
for ourselves.
Women of Oskaloosa, again on be
half of the Officers, the Board and