22(5

THE CONGRESS OF WOMEN.

nations touch. We recognize with heartfelt joy the pleasant amenities of this occasion. Looking around we fancy old-time fairy tales have come to be true. The stories of Arabian knights no longer a myth, for nothing could be more wonderful than this reality. In the distance we hear the beating pulsations of the heart of the great city, which phcenix-like rose from its own ashes to become the eighth wonder of the world. Only a year and a half ago this place about us was a wilderness. The White City now standing before us, more beautiful than artist’s dream or poet’s fancy could portray, rivaling in dazzling glory the tales we have read of Babylon of old, wonderful in conception, no less magnificent in execution, it stands a completed picture, worthy of the land and the century of progress it so nobly demonstrates.

In New York harbor stands the colossal statue of “ Liberty Enlightening the World,” the largest ever erected in modern times; its total height is three hundred and five feet eleven inches. It cost over a million francs, which were paid in France by popular subscription and presented to the United States. Many of us have seen it standing as guard over the city. Beyond that we need not devote time now to describe it, wonderful and elegant in detail; although so large in size. A fitting emblem at the gateway all must pass to enter this free and happy land, ours by inheritance, as they would desire to make it theirs by adoption. The years have taught us many lessons, and to one and all we would say: Leave behind you Old World superstitions and ideas of anarchy and confusion. Liberty can never here mean license. Let all learn what Columbus began to teach four hundred years ago—that indomitable perseverance and courage, with faith, in the right, will at last bring success; and no better motto can we give to each man, woman and child who visits America this Columbian year, than that we bear on our nation’s coin, ‘Tn God we trust.”

Then nation and people and land shall be blessed,

Prosperity dwell with us ever a guest,

Each century add to the stars in her brow,

P'rom thirteen they’ve grown up to forty-four now.

So bright is their luster that over the wave They call us “the land of the true and the brave.”

Long, long may the red, white and blue testify:

“America’s honor was not born to die.”

Proclaim far and near, from the lakes to the sea,

This national birthday, July Fourth, ’93;

At peace with the world doth America stand,

To welcome the world as it comes to our land.

Then throw out your flags to the breeze, let it tell The tale of this country we all love so well:

“The Star Spangled Banner, oh, long may it wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!”

“Columbia the gem of the ocean has proved,

And favored of God seems the land we love.”