Article #24 - Organization

For the Journal

                                    Organization

            There appears to have been in the minds of men through all ages an instinctive desire for association; in whatever enterprise they may engage whether for pecuniary or public advantage

or for the advancment of morals or religion in the earth, organizations have stood as an

efficient means for promoting the object.

            In our own it is clearly proven that it is none the less an incentive to intellectual effort – the need was felt for its formation and I would that we could so model it that it should supply that need. I would have it as an outlet for the highest aspirations which rise spontaneously from every heart, for the direction and advancement of our kind, to foster and freshen a warm out-

gushing sympathy for every form of suffering, to open clearer and more comprehensive views

of life, its aims, and purposes – the relations we sustain to those around us, and the duties consequent upon those relations And more than all I would that it should aid in the cultivation of our social natures. I had hoped that in our organization, formed as it is almost exclusively of the young, there would be felt none of the restraints of conventional forms and ceremonys [sic] – the

checks of some criticism or scathing satire and the disgusting assumption of power and

preferment to the exclusion of more unpretending ability – but that a thoroughly democratic tone

should pervade our assemblies, breathing perfect freedom and equality, that the simplest word

of approval or otherwise should be uttered with the same frankness, and receive its merited

consideration equally with the most finished and masterly efforts of acknowledged genius. Were this the case, it would greatly aid persons in overcoming the hesitation and embarrassment

consiquent [sic] upon first efforts in public and which is one of the greatest benefits arising from

association. As it is becoming an acknowledged fact that woman holds equally responsible

duties, in life with man, and that she has the same right to take measures to fit herself for the proper fulfillment of these duties, both in public and private capacity, it becomes her so to improve her opportunitys [sic] that when called to the performance of her part in whatever station, it may be done with dignity and propriety. Where better than in an organization of this character can she find stimulants to exertion – or influences more propitious. But as the mission of Lyceums has been already before you I close these hasty remarks, but believe that much might profitably be said upon the subject if undertaken by a competent hand.

                                    W? or H?