SELECTIONS

FROM

Centennial Records.

In February, 1875, Mrs. J. G. THORP of Madison received the appointment of chairman for the state of Wisconsin, from Mrs. E. D. GILLESPIE, President of the Women's National Centennial Executive Committee of Philadelphia. Mrs. THORP's first official act was to issue the following

APPEAL TO THE WOMEN OF WISCONSIN, AND IN THEIR NAME, TO THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE.

Women of Wisconsin:· The voice of our approaching National Anniversary calls to us. Let us, for the time, subordinate individual interests, in obedience to the summons. We return to the homes of our youth, with our children and our children's children, to celebrate the golden wedding days, bearing with us our choicest offerings; and we gather there, fresh fruits from the Tree of Life. Let us in like manner, rekindle the holy sentiments of truth and loyalty to our mother country upon the glowing altar of our national nativity, on the 4th of July, 1876! Let willing hearts and ready hands attest our gratitude, for the place we occupy and the name we bear, among the nations of the earth. The worth and magnitude of such considerations will lift us to higher levels, and secure to us broader and stronger thought. In the plentitude of conscious ability, we have hitherto felt ignorant and helpless in many ways, for the want of that strength, which is the outgrowth of union and systematized action.

The time is indicated, the opportunity furnished, for us to avail ourselves of this power and influence.

Are we not ready and eager to respond, each in our own way, as God has given us the ability?

Every woman, who has intelligently read the "signs of the times," will in her own heart, comprehend somewhat, the meaning and tendency of this movement, as an indication of Providence.

Every such woman, doubtless, feels that some new ground must be gained, in reference to the education and habits of women, before we realize the full type of true American womanhood.

Amid the agitation and conflict upon this subject, it is difficult to discern clearly and definitely.

Between the two extremes, one represented by public debate and assertion, the other by frivolity and weakness, there is, doubtless, sound middle ground which may be occupied with safety and advantage.

Women guided by pure and healthful instincts will naturally find this golden mean for themselves, if they decide to think and act harmoniously upon the subject.

Love of home, in its family and national sense, is a true incentive. Those who appreciate the blessings which flow to them through these channels will not ignore it. In this regard, there is no division of interests between men and women. Gentlemen of the Legislature:- Understanding, as you do, the influence of the wife and mother in your own homes, we ask of you a practical illustration of that estimate, as women of the state of our mutual birthright or adoption.

The same arguments that are applicable to the appropriation of money, for the general interests of the Exhibition we conceive to be equally applicable to the special department represented by the "Woman's Centennial Executive Committee." It is to be used for the same purposes, and its expenditure provided for in the same manner, by state and local committees.

No compensation is to be paid for services rendered.

Expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of duties are alone provided for. Accounts will be carefully inspected by suitable and experienced persons appointed by the State Committee.

The expenditure of money appropriated by the legislature shall be open to their investigation. As sharers and workers with you in all that pertains to the honor and well being of the family, the state and the Nation, we ask you to set aside for our special use the sum of one thousand dollars, or whatever you may conceive to be a suitable amount for the women of the state which you have the honor to

represent, who are requested by the National Committee to occupy a place, and bear a part in the forthcoming International Exhibition.

MRS. J. G. THORP,

Chairman of Woman's Centennial Executive Committee.

Mrs. JOHN BASCOM, Secretary.

MADISON, Wis.

The following response was received from the governor of the

state:

STATE OF WISCONSIN, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

MADISON, Feb. 26, 1875.

To MRS. J. G. THORP, MRS. J. C. GREGORY AND MRS. JOHN BASCOM, Officers of the Woman's Centennial Executive Committee.

LADIES:- I have received a copy of your appeal to the legislature for aid in your effort to secure to the women of Wisconsin that honorable position which the National Committee have invited you to occupy in the forthcoming International Exhibition.

History concedes that the cause of the American Colonies could not have withstood the hardships of a long and exhausting war without the patriotic self denial and moral heroism exhibited by the women of the Revolution. I am equally convinced that those blessings of free government we now enjoy as the fruit of that contest, a hundred years ago, can never be preserved from the perils of a prosperous peace without the moral and refining influences of the family circle, and the inspiring example of those noble and virtuous wives and mothers of our land, who have especially in their charge the education of the young and the care of the old. With such a responsibility and mission, I cannot doubt the right of the women of Wisconsin to the recognition you seek for them in the forthcoming celebration of our National Birthday, and you have the assurance of my hearty sympathy and coöperation in your application for public aid, to further that noble purpose, and the small amount asked for, I hope, will be generously accorded. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. R. TAYLOR.

The legislature of Wisconsin appropriated the sum of $1,000 for the use of the Woman's State Centennial Executive Committee, which had been in the meantime organized. This committee held weekly meetings, issued formulas for auxiliary asso

ciations, and recommended the inauguration of centennial clubs throughout the state. The following is the

OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE FIRST CENTENNIAL CLUB,

Under the Auspices of the Executive Committee, at the Capital City.

In response to invitations issued by Mrs. J. G. THORP, chairman of the Woman's State Centennial Committee, a large concourse of ladies and gentlemen assembled at her residence last evening, March 30, to organize a Woman's Centennial Club. The company were animated and enthusiastic, each face wearing a bright and interested expression; conversation had an easy flow, because there was a theme to talk about more inspiring than the compliments and generalities which form the beginning, middle and end of topics at a fashionable party. After moving from room to room of this "ideal home," as one lady expressed it, and admiring its graceful and harmonious appointments, the company was called to order by Gen. ATWOOD, of the National Centennial Commission, who imparted the enthusiasm which was no new fire in his own breast, by the following interesting and pertinent remarks:

"In behalf of the centennial commission, of which he was a member, he desired to express congratulations to the ladies for the evidences here presented, that the women of Wisconsin were awake to the importance of the grand event that is to take place in 1876, and he thanked them for the honor of being called upon to aid in the organization of a Woman's State Centennial Club. Our nation is approaching the close of the first hundred years of its existence; and it is known that arrangements are in progress for commemorating that event, by holding an international exposition in Philadelphia, the real homestead of the Union, where the nation was born, and where stands the old hall in which the immortal Declaration of Independence was signed, and where still hangs the old bell that pro

claimed liberty to the people. It is a fitting place and a fitting time for such an enterprise. Under a law of congress, a Centennial Commission was organized three years ago, consisting of representatives from each state and territory in the Union, to which was committed the duty of superintending the general arrangements for this exposition. From history, we learn that man was created before woman. It was soon found, no doubt, that he would prove a great failure if left alone; and woman was created as a helper. Ever since that time women have been found active and efficient coworkers in all great and good enterprises. Nothing of vital importance has transpired in the land, unless it received, in some way, the aid of women. Especially has this been the case in our own country. During the revolutionary war, the women took a prominent part. If they did not go into the field of battle, they encouraged their fathers, brothers, sweethearts and friends to do so; and they molded bullets from pewter ware, for them to use in fighting battles for freedom. In our late war, we all remember what efficient aid the women of the country rendered in saving the Union. It is reasonable to presume that, but for the hearty coöperation of women, we should never have had in the first place a free republic here; and having obtained it, but for their aid the Union would have been broken up in the late struggle. During the first year of the labors of the National Centennial Commission, there was slow progress; the work was attended with many discouragements. While the enterprise impressed itself upon the members as one of immense magnitude, it was difficult to arouse the attention of the people generally to a proper sense of its importance. Previous to the meeting a year afterwards, the true spirit of the matter had been caught up by the women of Philadelphia, and an organization of noble and patriotic women had been effected in that city. The influence of this movement was at once felt in the commission; its members were stimulated and encouraged by it, and from that time excellent progress has been made in the noble work of preparation for the international exposition. No doubt is now entertained but this will prove the grandest event of the century, and the most complete exposition of the kind the world has ever known. The Yankee nation is proverbial for doing whatever it undertakes in a manner superior to that in which things of a like character have been done before. Our people feel that he who has the last story to tell has a decided advantage; and having the experience of other expositions before them, they will profit by it, and get up a better one than any that have preceded it. That such will be the case with our exposition in 1876, there can be no doubt. The influence of the Philadelphia women's organization has spread throughout the land; and now auxiliary organizations are in working order in many of the states; and the object of this meeting is to inaugurate a women's club for the