The New York herald., 1869-05-19
Osfracism Of the Male Sex by the Sorosiss
"Principies, not Men," Their Policy.

"Principies, not Men," Their Policy.
We publish to-day very curious correspon-
dence between Mr.. Robert B. Roosevelt Of
this city, and Mrs. Jennie June Croly, Presi-
dent Of the Soross. The correspondence is
curious in several particulars, and shows that
there is more liberality on the part of the menu
bers of clubs composed Of gentlemen than those
composed of ladies. 1t appears that Mr..
Roosevelt, who is wealthy and genial gentle
man and most pleasing and vivid writer, ap-
piled for admission to the Sorosis in letter
clothed in the most respectful and appropriate
language, offering, if his application were
accepted, to propose the ladies Of
the Sorosis to any of the many gen.
tlemens clubs to which he himself be-
longs, including the New York Yacht Club,
the Sportsmens Club, cricket clubs, boxing
clubs and many others. The reply, covering
rejection of his application, is piquant and
noteworthy. The Sorosis say they have re-
strictions for membership as to sex. ''Per-
sonally Mr.. Roosevelt" Che is worth million
and half, and one of the best looking and
best natured men in the city, sis agreeable to
several members of the Sorosis )" his ''reputa-
ton and position are alike unexceptiona-
ble;" but ''the unfortunate fact Of
his being man outweighs these and
all other claims to membership" They
admit that ''the accident of sex is his
misfortune, not his fault" and, acknowledging
sympathy with the entire male creation" de-
clare that in the present youthful state of their
I. -, 20 oil h,
principles, not men,"
Here is the whole woman's rights question
presented in nutshell. We here find all
about the milk in the cocoanut, so far as the
Sorosis are concerned, and no doubt If the
matter were pressed home we should find that
the same aggravating spirit of hostility to the
male sex exists in all those societies
in which calico is the predominating element.
Sympathy with the entire male creation -
Bless their dear souls! Man has had sympa-
thy for unprotected woman ever since the world
began. 1t was not left until the nineteenth
century Gas the Sorosis have before they an,
nounced their sympathy with the ''other sex")
for man to proclaim his devotion to the de-
scendants of the fair and gentle bud and blos-
som tenderly reared in Paradise under the
hand of that master gardener, Adam, until she
had some ugly offshoots which required her
and Adam to suddenly emigrate westward,
without waiting for the completion of the Pa
ciic Railroad. No, ma am! But from the earli-
est period of time mans sympathy for woman
has existed, coeval and contemporaneous with
his ability to buy her clothes and pay her board
bill. And we submit that in thus rejecting the
suit of gentleman like Mr.. Roosevelt the Soro-
sis have set themselves back half century in
the way of progress toward the assumption Of
the prerogatives of masculinity. There can be
| no compromise here. Calico and corduroy are
| henceforth at pin and needle points. Not until
| the day when the principle is acknowledged
that ''what is sauce for the goose shall be
sauce for the gander" will this contest cease.
principles, not men," indeed! Suppose the
| men should raise the banner Of ''Principles,
not women" what then? But we must not
forget, out of respect for the gentle sex-when
they are gentle-that there are very few pure
women who are without principle.
| Seriously, Mr. Roosevelt, who takes great
interest as scientific and considerate sports
man in the preservation Of game, should apply
| to the next Legislature for an amendment to
the game laws to prohibit the Sorosis from
poaching on mems manors. That would be
some revenge.