The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-08-06
dark green laurel, and from the right of
the "a rden sounded music But Won do

beauty of the fair women, though many
were lovely to look upon, nor by the
elegance and loneliness of their gowns,
nor by the animation of their cOunte-
nances, but by the large number of gray
haired women. 1t moved me to thank
fulness to see them so interested, so
thoroughly happy in the consideration
of every effort in good and wise lines OF
work. In all the clubs were elderly
women who find they have much left
worth living for, who are not relegated
to back seats to silent deserted house
or to idleness, whose children have left
them, having homes and children of
their own. | can but feel that these
clubs are an inconceivable blessing to
such women, giving them new interests
in life, renewing both mind and body,
making the mind alert to seize new
truths and quick to act upon them.
Although there are criticisms and
ridicule of Woman's Club life (and
there may be an excess or abuse OF 1t
in individual cases) insist that it is
good thing that has come to woman,
giving her a direct impulse. an urgent
impetus toward helpfulness for all
those in need. Perhaps l feel this
more strongly because l am rapidly
growing gray myself, but when my
hair is white l shall feel intensely in
terested in this club work and not en-
tirely from selfish motives.
Do you ask if there were frivolous
women present-if the accusation we
sometimes hear is true that many
club women attend these conventions
to display their fine raiment? There
were exquisite gowns and costly hats
and flashing diamonds and magnificent
jewelry. Undoubtedly there were
fashionable ladies, perhaps some frlvo-
lous ones, but | studied earnestly many
countenances, especially OF those on
the platform, and | saw not one that
expressed vanity or shallowness, and
beard, even in the social intercourse,
no foolish conversation.
An impressive incident that first
evening was the entrance of that grand
old woman. Julia Ward Howe, when the
concert program was half completed.
She was escorted by her daughter and
when the audience saw her walking up
the middle aisle she received great
ovation, an enthusiastic welcome. All
rose and remained standing until she
was seated. She left the hall before
the close of the concert, and waved her
hand repeatedly i'll acknowledgment of
the hearty welcome. The next even
ing she was on the platform and gave
us greeting in fine address which
showed the continued vigor of her
mind. Her body is feebly bowed with
the weight of eighty mine years, but she
is crowned with the beauty of her
white hair.
Tuesday evening weslistened to sever
al addresses of Welcome-charmin
words from Governor Guild, witty re-
marks from Mayor IIibbard, an easy
graceful address from May Alden Ward,
whom the Massachusetts people love
and esteem highly, and characteristic
response by Mrs. Decker. Mrs. Ward
said in part;
Every one of the $1,000 club women
of Massachusetts is here i'll spirit TO-
night to give you welcome. That the
men of Massachusetts are not here in
greater mum bers is their misfortune,
not their fault. They realize, as never
before, the disadvantages of being men.
They, too, are here in spirit to join this
welcome.
eff you find the weather a bit tropi-
cal it is because we have been so eager
to give you warm welcome, to refute
the charge SO often made against US of
GOODNESS.
"You have not travelled these thou
sands of miles merely to see Boston;
you are here for a grave and earnest
purpose: you are here because the Fed |
Grafton means to you opportunity and /
eve have pledged ourselves to use
our united strength to obtain better .
homes, better schools, better surround |
ings, better citizenship and better laws; !
to work together for civic health and :
civic righteousness, to preserve our
heritage, the forests, and the natural |
beauties of the land; to procure for our !
children An education which its them /
for life-the training of the hand and |
the heart as we'll as the head; to pre- !
vent the children, not our own, being I
deprived of their birthright of natural 4
to obtain right conditions
and proper safeguards for the women +
who toll.
I'VE have come together to learn how /
we may work most effectively toward
those ends. You represent half a mil
lion of earnest, thoughtful women, /
who believe, with one of our statesmen,
vice Remembering all these things
We ltdllLC Lildl uilViC 10 q SCIiloii oluC W |
our welcome, for we know that your |
coming will be to us a source of !
strength, an inspiration for years.
1t is impossible for me to tell you of |
each days and every evenings pro-
gram, but l attended every session
In order to do this, it was |
necessary to decline numerous alluring !
to theatres, entertain
ments, recitals, excursions and recep- !
tons. Boston was most generous in |
hospitality, most liberal in device for
our comfort and pleasure.
| forgot to tell you that Mrs. Decker,
whose words in introducing the speak
ers were varied and unique, presented
Julia Ward Howe as, not of Boston,
not of Massachusetts, but ''of the uni
verse at large" Mrs. Howe is a little
woman in lavender silk with Spanish
lace, and Mrs. Decker is tall and smil-
ing, wonderful presiding officer. That
first evening she was in white and gold
with a single pink flower at her breast.
As she and Mrs. Julia Ward Howe
stood together. on the platform, all
acknowledged the great personal power
Of the woman from the east and the
woman from the west. Mrs. Decker is
erect, of splendid physique, of great
executive ability, has perfect and i'm
mediate control of the convention, is
very definite, orderly and business-like.
She is perfectly at ease in difficult situa-