Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-03-04
COUNT DE GAsPARIN ON FEMALE
SUFFRAGE.


While so many OF our thoughtIess or Light
Drained American writers and speakers are
rendering themselves ridiculous in the esti
nation Of cool-headed thinkers of both
sexes, it is not amiss to present them with
the views expressed by the eminent scholar
and philosopher. Count De Gasparin, on
their fayorite hobby, !" female suffrage. A
close. reasoner, always arguing from cause
and effect, he has given forcible paper to
the public in L'Egqlite on this very subject,
aud on whose train of analysis and couclu-
sion cannot be gainsayed by the most ardent
supporter of the cause. As an elector, be
claims that woman would "fll her role as
mother equally in with that of wife, both
TO be lost ultimately in the whirl Of poll
ties. There are few persons, male or fe-
male, who win not agree with Gasparin in
this deduction. In proof of his argument,
he says
Ia the first place, public life claims time.
Those who invite woman TO become man
really only wish it to a minimum extent.
Unfortunately, logic has its inexorabilities.
One is man or one is not. One enters pub
lie life or one does not; it is question of
taking up or letting alone. The women
who embark in public affairs must devote
portion of their lives to reading the jour
mails, studying public and political opinion,
assisting at public meetings and following
parliamentary discussions. We
should see women clubs, sa1oas of political
women, and journals written by women,
IVery well written, doubt not We should
have to stand by the coming of the female
man (Jemaschonsn,e,) inferior both to the
woman and to the man who would have re
uounced all grace and not have exchanged
it for strength, Think of women delivered
over to the press reports, to the insolent
carieature. Trained to the contest, giving
and taking hard hits, she would soon loose
the charm of soltness and modesty, which
are at once a charm and defense. | know
well what the family would lose. I wish
to be informed what politics woad gain.
Would there be less intrigue, fewer passions,
less prejudice, fewer personal questions
taking the place of questions of principal :?
Woman is superior and influen-
tial only on condition that she is true wo-
man. Take from her neither her silent &C
tiOn nor her noble domestic empire, which
includes her household, her children, her
husband, too, and in addition to these the
sick and the INDECENT The political Wo-
man, the blue-stocking, the woman who has
exchanged the family for the public; stands
already before US in the road on which we
are urged, as a warning and scare crow.
There is nut shell in the whole truth
about this woman suffrage question. Only
limited number of the sex in this country,
or in England, ask the right to vote. This
whole matter has arrived at stage which
presents US with condition of affairs so dis
tasteful that even the critics have Of late
refused TO waste ink and paper upon It's
absurdities and revolving scenic effects.
Count de Gaspariu is right in his logic, and
the women of America and England, who
are not beside themselves, y win thank hiu
for the many words he has written in thei
behalf