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THE CONGRESS OF WOMEN.

enlightened and energetic work for the benefit of humanity. Many it is safe to say from the chairman of these congresses, Mrs. James P. Eagle, to Mrs. Mary Pugh Hart and many of the members of the Board of Lady Managers whose lives were honorable examples of self-sacrifice to duty. But something more is required than individual initiative and exertion, however well directed and exemplary. The field for woman’s work in the hygienic re-habilitation of America is not only broad but easily understood and attractive. The main factors will be personal and public well being, and will contribute to that most desirable consummation by which every indi­vidual shall be taught to become the intelligent custodian to her own health.” By thus inculcating the future generations, particularly the women, in all that conduces to the healthy and natural life, there is prepared that public opinion so sorely desired. On you, the women of America, rests the moral and physical regeneration of American youth. In this combat for humanity there are posts innumerable. Let each select her part, great or small, according to her strength, her vocation. Let us consider it a sacred duty to give of our means and abilities to the nation’s wards. And so from the luminous examples of female heroism which honor women, will emerge the collective power of educated duty. Not by self-seeking, but by spontaneous instinct and senti­ment will become one of the most vigorous of the healing forces of national well being. A ladies’ national health association would have the strength of angels and of men. Any great sanitary improvement of the nation must be the result of elaborate co-operation, legislation and administration before we can effect any good result. Everything that concerns health and morals and education occupies the minds of women ten timös more than it occupies the minds of their husbands or fathers. Their standards of administrative ability are fifty per cent higher than that of men. Woman, holds the key to the solution of this serious problem.

Preventive medicine covers all physical and moral evils. The social relation of the classes to each other, and of labor to capital, of man to woman, of both to the state, are destined to be tested by that new power which is just feeling its strength. It is of vital importance to us that the guiding of this new power should be in the hands of those who are actuated by deep and enduring principles, and prepared to use their influence.

In these glorious days of the nation’s history, these days of Columbian celebra­tion, the rise and progress of this great American nation from 1492 down to 1893 has been recognized, eulogized and glorified. The achievements of every walk in life, the wonderful discoveries, the innumerable inventions, the magnificent results which are found here displayed in this magnificent White City, the Woman’s Building, its beauties, its comforts, its joys and delights, must all be considered. And the sum total stands unparalleled in the history of nations.

During a period of four hundred years, great work has been accomplished, and we stand before the gaze of the entire world, at this moment, as a nation exemplifying the truest type of Christian civilization. While all this progress has been reviewed and considered, American work can not be said to be a mere herald and forerunner of a still greater and better; that its proud distinction was to have found man ignorant of much that concerned health and happiness and to have left him better protected against ill­ness and misery; to have found him insensible to their moral and intellectual power, and have awakened them to a sense of duty and responsibility to which God and nature had called them.