Woman's Monday Club Scrapbook

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THE VICTORIA DAILY ADVOCATE

FEDERATION SPEECH

BY MRS. G. R. SCOTT, OF CORPUS CHRISTI

Madame President and Dear Co-Workers in Fifth District: 

You all know that some are born great, some have greatness thrustpon them, and some achieve greatness.  May I exercise my power ___  paraphrase and say some are born ____  place on programs, some have program assignments thrust upon them and some achieve a place on a program.  I glory in this last, for truly I have achieved this hinor of greeting the Fifth District on the occasion of its ________ annversary.  Just think, my friends, what this coming together today meansa half century of woman’s co-operation for promoting the good things of life.  Truly we should come together here in this beautiful “City of Roses,” to lay the sheaves of our harvest, and to make merry as they did in the olden days.  Truly may we call this our Harvest Festival; for we have garnered fruits of long, efficient service.

            To me is assigned the backward glance, and then the forward glimpse.  I am reminded of Mrs. Welder right here.  And, I am going to tell you just what she told on the Victoria women, over at Houston.  It was this; that the first library sponsored by the Brontes was kept in a box under the bed.  And, oh! how that spot was guarded.  No democracy in those daysno come and take theories.  It was rather we are the high and mighty, touch thou not the hem of our garments.  But, that library grew here in Victoria, and it grew out into the state, and the box under the bed is now great, magnificent temples dedicated to service, one and all. 

            They tell me that the Brontes are the oldest club in Texasand what is more, the members being women of the present, do not hesitate to tell their age.  Of sainted memory is Mrs. Casewhose cultured brain conceived a circle where bright minds could interchange impressions from good reading.  What is the Bronte today?  This marvelous manifestation of hostess-ship tells the story.

            Twenty-five years, members of the Bronte, your predecessors drank deep of the Pierian spring.  Then, came our beloved State Federation.  The Bronte was there, and, there it is today in your chairmanship of parks and playgrounds; nay more, there it is in your superb state presidentyour very own, Mrs. Lee Joseph whose first club membership was right here in the Bronte.

            You sent out the call in your ever generous way, not to show us your way of entertaining, but, in your own language, “We realize that this convention will influence all that is good, true, and beautiful.”  So, you gathered us for the good that we might do to your community. 

            Today, the “Junior” movement is stressed.  At the Chautauqua Biennial, it was said “There are too many gray heads here.”  And our very ownfor she is of our beloved FifthMrs. Pennybacker’s quick wit replied, “No, not too many gray heads, but too few brown heads.”  We have for the first time a Junior organizer. 

            It seems, to us who come to Victoria, that this is only history repeating itself, for Victoria’s own, Miss Genevieve Power, now Mrs. Stevenson, used to go out to tell of all the things done by her Junior Civic League.  How the other districts did envy the Fifth, pioneer as it was in this work, none considered _ne all important branch out of our promotiontraining incoming youth to take the place of retiring age.

            Our first Fifth District officer came out of the Fourth for our first meetings.  That was the day before we elected by districts.  Soon, however, we had our own, she of hallowed memory, Mrs. Joseph Dibrell.  It was there, to nominate Mrs. Dibrell, that I caught the club spirit.  Never since, have I missed a district meeting.  Three times has Victoria given us a presiding officer; may I include Mrs. Joseph?  Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Peticolas have answered the Roll Call and received the benediction of “Well done, thou good and faithful servants”pass up to the higher service.  Their influence, lives and their names remain our inspiration.  Mrs. Condit of Austin, Mrs. Storey of Lockhartall honor to their serviceand then came your humble servant in 1909, of whom it should be said, “She hath done what she could.”  No happier service have I ever renderedthan that I gave this blessed district.  I passed the gavel to Mrs. Brown, then of San Antonio, now of a distant state.  Mrs. Wentland who, like me, “got the habit,” and is still an honored officer.  Then you had your talented Mrs. Shaver, whose beautiful pageants added lustre to her routine of office.  Mrs. Shaver is no longer a resident of the Fifth, but I really believe if, like the Queen of old, her anatomy were dissected “ Dear old Fifth” would be found engraved upon her heart.  Mrs. Love of Uvalde, our war president, succeeded Mrs. Shaver, and then the Fifth went under the administration of our capable Mrs. George, who is with you now, and who will tell you of all the great things now being done by the Fifth.  I have touched upon the past; she will dwell upon the present.  Then what about the future?  Before I cast this horoscope, may I tell you one thing, which is outstanding for the Fifth?  In late March a grand convention of “Old Spanish Trail” delegates was held in New Orleans.  Advertised as the one great feature was the presence of the delegate from Fifth District to show the highway through our section, made beautiful by our native palms.  New Orleans “featured” that as the model report for all the Old Trail states. 

            Do you recall the wonderful gate of oldthe old man looking back and the chubby youngster looking forward?  We are that gate, my friends.  Our old face is the 50 years we celebrate in this great convention; for, the Bronte’s age is our own.  That chubby face of youth is the beginning of our new half centary.  He looks forward with brightness on his face; he sees nothing but __ happy way, until he, too, will leave the old face behind him; another takes its place, and thus, in turn, the half centuries will passalways the dear old Fifth, with its chubby youthful outlook for happy days and happiness in work for the Fifth Districtfor Texasfor humanity yet unborn.  Today I greet a glorious past, a goodly present, and a great future.  I thank you.