The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-06-01
Copyright by J. D Bowles.)

(Copyrignt py D. bo"ies)
CMrs. Adlai Stevenson is known the
country over as the wife of the former
vice. president of the United States; Dur
ing her four years in Washington she was
distinct social success. She has served
as president general of the Daughters OF
the American Revolution and as prom
inent officer in other important organiza-
tions.)
Through the medium of the clubs,
and by their own volition, women have
turned upon themselves the search.
light of close scrutiny. The result is
that many of the defects of character
which were overlooked and pardoned
because of the feminine source now
stand before the court of their own
choosing.
The crucial test is, What have the
clubs done to demand perpetuation
and the gratitude of a credulous pub.
| lie?
1t was not a sporadic but most in
| fictitious disease, this almost spontane-
Gus uprising among women into a
higher and nobler valuation of their
capabilities and dormant powers.
Perhaps the credit of introducing
| club methods to the American women
should be given to the missionary So
cieties. The first movement for or
ganized, Independent work by the
| American women in behalf of heath
cen women was inaugurated in New
York. April 1860, by Mrs. T. C. Dore-
| mus.
In 1884 the Rev. David Abeel re-
turned from his mission in China and
| plead ed in New York the cause of the
| zenana women. This germ of s'wo.
| mans mission to woman" took root in
the heart of Mrs. Doremus. Twenty-six
years later, when she heard the STIR
| ring words of a missionary from Bur-
ma, Mrs. Doremus resolved that this
! appeal should find response in the
hearts of American women IL it could
be accomplished. In 1860 her fondest
hopes were realized, and an independ-
ent, undenominational society was or
ganized to send out single women to
title of the "Woman's Union Mission
airy Society of America for Heather
Lands" This was the first organized
| effort of woman to conduct labors of
| magnitude and Importance
| Kindred societies, or clubs, sprang
up all over the country. What these
societies have done for the church at
large its records will tell
| And let it be borne In mind that all
this was the result of organized club
work.
Has 1t been a benefit to woman?
Who will say MOI"
Quickly followed clubs galore-the
Margaret Fuller, the Shakespeare, the
Longfellow, the Browning, and other
clubs. Later came the patriotic or
CARNATIONS. First and foremost of
these stands the national society of
| the Daughters of the American Rev.
olution. The work of the national so.
ciety during the war with Spain alone
would give 1t deserved renown.
Other patriotic organizations are
the Colonial Danes, the Daughters of
the Confederacy, the Daughters of the
Cincinnati, the Woman's Relief Corps
and many more.
All these clubs (for such they are)
have had undoubted influence upon
the patriotism of our country.
To your honest judgment we leave
1t to decide whether or not these
clubs have been Of benefit to the
American women.
Undoubtedly the greatest factor IN
the development of women are the
distinctive woman's clubs. They have
passed beyond the experimental peri.
cd and are ar assured fact.
The corner stone upon which these
clubs were founded was and is edu.
catirn, in its broadcast, highest sense
Through them every avenue of
thought and endeavor has been
opened. These clubs were organized
not for the benefit of women alone
but for the uplifting and betterment
of mankind.
The history of the General Fedora
ton of Woman's Cllbs is too well
known to need word of Introduction
or defense After trial of Is years
the General Federation of Woman 8
Clubs has proved itself potent in ef-
fecting many municipal reforms. and