The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-06-28
A French Voice ON Femaie Suffrage.


LEON GoY1AN, the celebrated French novelist,
died very suddenly few months ago. On the last
day Of his life he commenced writing an article on
female suffrage, which was found unfinished on his
table after his death. This fragment contains the
following characteristic passages:
s'The National Assembly was right in closing
against the women the doors OF the clubs, where
tI ey would have inevitably lost the remnants oi
eracefulness which still distinguish them from the
lords Of creation. For some time to come it will
be vet good thing that there are two sexes; at o
later time we shall see. Until then let us respect
customs and traditions, and among them the custom
which demands that women should give birth to
children, and should endure the annoyance Of
bringing them up.
eve have in former times likewise deploled the
misfortunes Of women in society; we have likewise
demanded their emancipation in more than one
book. But by our siGe 80 many books have arisen
in favor OF the icentiou mess Of women, that we
have FASTENED to lay down our pen. When we pro-
posed to break their chains, others proposd to un-
tie their girdles. And what is the worst, we do
not know exactly whether or not they are chained,
while it is evident that they wear girdle'
ssThele are a great many rich men in our Legis.
lative body. Suppose womon should be elected
members OF the Chamber, would it not be possible
that these nabobs should bribe the fair deputies
with nice presents2 For instance, the millionaire
the fair lady representing the seine-et-o Disc de-
partment with diamond bracelet, or the frail re-
preventative Of the peux Segres with pair OF
splendid earrings. And then there are great
MANY famous officers in the Chamber Officers
whose good looks are greatly enhanced by their
military glory; who knows whether the epaulettes
of the member from Lille might not take by storm
the feeling heart and control the vote OF the beau
titul representative Of the Gironde, where the
female heart and mind are so susceptible and
do ~ M fha 1a w
representatives would visit them, and they would
be able to resist very few Of them in turn. Never
could the fate of a bill be foreseen; it would de-
pend on the weather, the season
"And then you may be pE that D
cusively political parties, the party OF the old
the party Of the widows and that OF the married
women; then the political colors would be conn
plicated by the color OF the hair; there would be
party, the lean constitutional party the fat repub
foan party God forbid that this invasion should
overwhelm France! She would thereby lose her
last virtue.
sImagine, further, that Msrseiles, celebrated
for her cooks and her aower-girls, should send
distinguished representatives Of both classes to
the Legislative body and that the old aristocratic
Finisterre department should elect some Of her
proud maj" ar"hionesses and duchesses? These ladies
would scratch out each others eyes; they would
= "Nnture has decreed that woman shall
be the eternal contrast Of man, that man may be
charmed by the difference, attracted by his Curl
osity, and instigated by his desires. From the
day when women will wear pantaloons and paletots
population will no longer increase.
"The National Assembly comprehended sagely
that it would be an anomaly to allow women to be
members of clubs, and not to allow them to be-
come members Of the Chambers. II one gave
them the right Of making Instructions it would
be strange not TO confer the right Of suppressing
them. And o Chamber with representatives Of
both sexes would be queer thing. Curious in
fuences would be brought to bear on the MEM
bers-the influence Of the eyes, Of the toilet, OF
pouting, the influence of the hands meeting in the
bs lot-box, &C., without speaking OF the dark pas
sages Of the Palais-Bourbon, and the sombre old
alleys in the adjoining park, where the ladies and
gentlemen Of the Chamber would happen to meet
SO often
sAnd when they would be at the Chamber and
at the club, who should take care Of the house
Who should salt the soupp Who should receive
visitors, and nurse the children2 Perhaps, the
husbands.
'sWomen who are not yet devoid Of sense, this
quality which becomes 80 very rare in Franco,
women Of mind whom bad books have not yet de-
graded, women Of heart who have not yet allowed
the chaste fire OF the love Of family life to become
extinct in your BOSOM of the family, the first
society created by God and destined to remain the
last Of any on earth women Of oil classes who still
smile OF the smile Of your beloved husband, and
all our joys and diminish all our pains by your
sole presence at our domestic hsarth, go and
thank the National Assembly for the honor it con-
ferred upon you by closing the doors Of the clubs
against you. Mover was an afront worthier,
never was an insult more sublime. The box on
box on the ear, which the Popes gave formerly to
the Kings Of Germany, made them Emperors.