FORESTRY x 



Ladies of the Federation of Women's Clubs: 



In these days of federation it is natural that you should 

 get together for purposes beneficial to your sex, and it is 

 quite interesting to note the wide range of subjects that 

 you have given for discussion. I think even Mr. Cleve- 

 land would have enjoyed himself had he been present, 

 though he has so recently made you the target of his 

 ponderous rhetoric. 



Your organization has in contemplation not only social 

 enjoyment but the advancement of our state and nation. 

 The women of the world have done some of its noblest 

 work and have not received due recognition for their 

 deeds. Two of the greatest hymns in our language were 

 written, one by a man, the other by a woman. When we 

 hear "Lead, Kindly Light" sung, the figure of Cardinal 

 Newman at once arises in our imagination. But when 

 we hear the majestic strains of "Nearer, my God, to 

 Thee, ' ' Sarah Adams is seldom thought of. 



We have many proofs of the intuition of woman. There 

 have been occasional instances of boys deaf, dumb, and 

 blind from their birth. But there is no record of any 

 great progress made by them that I recall. But the keen 

 and delicate perceptions of Laura Bridgeman, Harriet 

 Prescott, and Helen Keller broke the bonds of darkness 

 and silence and amazed the world by the scope of their 

 learning and intelligence communicated by their sense of 

 touch alone. When blind and deaf Harriet Prescott was 



i Address of John F. Lacey before the Iowa Federation of Women 's 

 Clubs, Waterloo, Iowa, May 12, 1905. 



