Democratic Ideals: A Memorial Sketch of Clara B. Colby. Olympia Brown

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       Olympia Brown

      Democratic Ideals: A Memorial Sketch of Clara B. Colby

      Published by Good Press, 2021

       [email protected]

      EAN 4064066314651

Table of Contents

       Early Life

       Nebraska

       The Woman′s Tribune

       Lecturer and Author

       Personality and Last Days

       Federal Suffrage Association

       Memorial Service and Tributes

       The Radiant Center

       Federal Suffrage Circular

      PREFACE

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      THE personal friends of Mrs. Colby, beside many of the advocates of Woman's Suffrage have expressed an earnest desire for some account of her work which might be accessible to the general public and which might be helpful to the future historian of the suffrage cause, as it would furnish an account of some phases of the movement not represented in other histories. For these reasons the author of the present booklet, as a friend of Mrs. Colby and as the President of the Federal Suffrage Association, a society with which she was thoroughly identified, has undertaken to present the following brief sketch of Mrs. Colby and of the society to which she devoted so large a part of the last years of her life.

      When death calls any prominent person from the activity of the world we ask "what has she done?" The incidents of her personal experiences are unimportant when compared with the ideals which inspired the life and gave direction to the work. We seek not a record of material events but an understanding of character, motives, and aspirations, believing that like the virtuous woman of old "her own works shall praise her in the gates."

       The writer hopes that this sketch may prove not only a satisfaction to those pioneers in reform with whom Mrs. Colby was associated, but an inspiration to those young women who today are entering upon fields of remunerative activity which have been opened to them by the labors of those who have gone before. Of these it may be well said "others have labored, and they have entered into their labor." Among those who labored to prepare the way for the young women of our time, and who

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      have made pleasant paths for them to walk in, Mrs. Colby was one of the most conspicuous and in her going we lose a woman who knew more, by actual experience and observation of the Woman's Suffrage movement and who better understood the principles on which the suffrage claim is based than most of those now prominent in advocating the Woman's Cause.

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      INTRODUCTION

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      The title of this book, Democratic Ideals, gives the key to Mrs. Colby′s life and work. She sought liberty for the individual, she desired democracy for the state. This she illustrated in all she did. She was always a free lance. When sometimes harassed and cramped in her undertakings for want of money, her friends would recommend positions on newspapers, or other lines of work which might furnish a good salary. Her reply was always, “Oh, no, I must have my freedom; I cannot be a mere machine to follow a regular routine.” Whitman was Mrs. Colby’s favorite author, and in her own copy of his poems, which has been given to the writer, the most trenchant utterances of the poet on the subject of liberty are marked, and often illustrated by penciled notes.

      But it was not for the individual alone that she desired liberty. Her ideal for the whole people was democracy. She longed to see our government complete, our Constitution a charter of liberties for all. Even in her advocacy of Woman's Suffrage her chief thought was not 80 much the practical advantage of the vote to women, as the maintaining of the integrity of our republic, the fulfillment of the promise made by the founders of our Government.

      The life of Clara Bewick Colby illustrates in a most emphatic way the power that may be attained by the possession of a lofty ideal, with earnest determination, and persevering industry, in spite of adverse circumstances and seemingly overwhelming difficulties.

      Unassisted and from humble beginnings she became a well known and honored advocate of Woman’s ​Suffrage, a co-worker with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, a devoted reformer in many lines, a consecrated church-worker, a writer of marked ability, an interpreter of poets and philosophers, and amid all an exceptionally fine housekeeper and excellent cook. She was a loyal friend, and always a faithful worker in whatever engaged her attention. Ida Husted Harper, the Suffrage Historian, said of Mrs. Colby:

      “No woman was ever more loyal to the cause of Woman's Suffrage and none ever made greater sacrifices for it.”

      Early Life

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      CLARA BEWICK COLBY

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      A SKETCH

      CHAPTER I

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      EARLY LIFE

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      Clara Bewick was in every sense of the term a pioneer. Born in England, she came while a child with her parents to Wisconsin, then a new and sparsely settled country. Like other pioneers the Bewick family bore the burdens, endured the privations, and experienced the dangers of life in a new country. Opportunities for education and culture were few the public school was scarcely established and public libraries were unknown. But the members of the family were people of sturdy minds and strong character and not without a heritage of scholarly tastes and scientific ability. Clara's grandfather, Thomas Bewick, was a well known naturalist and engraver. He published several volumes, among them Bewick's Illustrated Book of Birds, and Bewick's Book of Beasts. Other members of the family had won distinction in various lines. Notwithstanding the want of opportunity for education, Clara learned ​to read while still very young. She read everything to which she had access, committing to memory both poems and hymns which came in her way. In