People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1893 — MOLDERS OF THOUGHT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MOLDERS OF THOUGHT.

They Win A** rm bl* tn Chicago Durins the Summer-Women Hold the First of the World’* Fair Auxiliary Congre****— Representative* from AH Land* Present. Chicago, May 16.—1 nan auditorium appropriately named Columbus balk the world’s congress auxiliary of the Columbian exposition formally began its public work and the congress of representative women was opened. The ball is of the largest in Memorial Art building on the Lake Front,-and was gayly decorated for the occasion with the flags of all nations. Before 10 o’clock, the hour set for the opening exercises of the auxiliary, the halls and corridors of the spacious institute became gradually thronged and the main floor and gallery of Columbus hall filled up with an audience in which women largely predominated, though there were many men present. A delay in opening the ceremonies occurred and the clock showed 10:30 before the speaking began. When President Bonney rapped for order and

announced the inauguration of the world’s congresses, the large hall was completely filled. Behind the president sat the officers of the auxiliary and delegations of American and foreign visitors. When the notables had settled themselves into seats President Bonney rapped for order and called on Prof. Swing. He delivered a short invocation, and as he stood before the vast audience a hush fell on the hall. After the brief prayer President Bonney formally opened the series of congresses with an address. After a brief but eloquent introduction Mr. Bonney sketched the history ofthe world’s congress movement from the date of the organization of the auxiliary, October 30, 1890, and said the scheme had been received with almost universal approval throughout the world. He paid tributes of respect to the memory of James G. Blaine, Cardinal Manning, Lord Tennyson, John Greenleaf Whittier, Prof. Emile de Laveleye, of Belgium, George William Curtis, Bishop Phillips Brooks and others, who, before their lamented deaths, had expressed deep interest in the world’s congresses. < The objects of the world’s congress auxiliary recounted by Mr. Bonney are: To sum the progress of mankind in every department of enlightened achievement, to review the actual results of that progress, to note the lesson it teaches and the defects and difficulties that still remain; testate in clear, concise and yet comprehensive terms the important unsolved problems of our time; to put in definite form the living questions of the day which yet demand answers from living men; to suggest in brief but lucid terms the means by which obstacles may be overcome, difficulties removed, defects supplied and further progress made; to bring all the departments of human progrest into harmonious relations in a great intellectual and moral exposition. In closing Mr. Bonney called to order the first congress. This was the congress of representative women. In introducing Mrs. Palmer, president of this congress, Mr. Bonney said it was fitting , that women should inaugurate conferences of progress, for theirs had been the greatest progress during the nineteenth century. Woman’s advance- ■ ment was that of man. Her success denoted the substitution of love for force. In i eplying to the introduction Mrs. Palmer made a short speech. She said i the brilliant women of the world had undertaken long journeys in ori der to focus in the present congress the best thought of the nineteenth Century. The conference, she said, would result in benefit to all and would be a crowning achievement for the sex. In the name of Chicago and the world’s fair she bade the delegates welcome. Mrs. Palmer’s address was pleasant, and heartily received. She was followed by Mrs. Charles A. Henrotin, vice president of the congress, and Mrs. May > Wright Sewall. | The evening session was called to order at a few minutes past 8 o’clock. Mrs. Henrotin presided, and there were ; probably 2,000 spectators present. Mrs. I Potter Palmer succeeded Mrs. Henrotin : and introduced Mrs. Florence Fenwick | Miller, of England, a distinguished ■ member of the Woman’s Franchise association. Besides Mrs. Miller these ladies addressed the congress* tendering hearty cooperation: Mrs, Jane Cobden Unwin, England; | Frau Prof. Elizabet Kaselowsky. Ger- ■ many; Mme. Isabel Bogelot, France; Mrs. Margaret Windeyer, New South "Wales; Mme. Mario Martin, France; Frau Augusta Foster, Germany: Baroness Thorborg Rappe, Sweden; Mme. .Callirhoe, Greece; Josefa Humfalzeman, Bohemia; Fraulein Kaethe Schirmacher, Germany; Kirstine Frederiksen, Denmark; Mrs. John Harvie, Canada; Mrs. Hulda Dundin and Mrs. Sigrid Storkenfeld, of Sweden; and Judge Foster, Mrs. F. H. Maitland Dougall, D. Augusta StoweGullen and Mrs. Kelly, of Canada.

MAY WRIGHT SEWALL.